Rotorua Lakes Council has appointed Gina Rangi as its new kaiwhakahaere, or general manager Maori.
Ms Rangi, a lawyer, has specialised in working with Maori communities on Treaty of Waitangi and resource management matters for the past 17 years.
She is also a director of geothermal and energy company MB Century and trustee for farming and geothermal trust Tuaropaki.
Council chief executive Geoff Williams said Ms Rangi's appointment heralded a new and important step in the council's journey to develop its bicultural capability and work effectively with Te Arawa.
"It's important for Rotorua's future that this organisation is effective in working with iwi and takes Maori perspectives into consideration. We started a process 18 months ago through the establishment of the Te Arawa Partnership and this role is a natural progression with a focus on transformational change," he said.