Peter Buell will begin as Bay of Plenty regional harbourmaster this Friday.
The Bay of Plenty Regional Council released a statement this afternoon following reports that Jennifer Roberts would no longer be employed in as harbourmaster.
A regional council spokeswoman earlier confirmed to the Bay of Plenty Times that MsRoberts services as harbourmaster had ended.
When asked if Ms Roberts was still working as harbourmaster, the spokeswoman refused to comment.
The change of guard follows the sudden departure of former harbourmaster Carl Magazinovic in December who left ''to pursue other employment opportunities''.
In the statement issued by the regional council, deputy chief executive Eddie Grogan said in reference to Peter Buell: "It's terrific to be able to have employed someone with such a rich and experienced background in so many different levels of the maritime industry. Maritime New Zealand has confirmed that Peter's qualifications are appropriate for a role of this significance."
Mr Buell's highly commended maritime career was shaped in both the Royal New Zealand Navy and Canadian Armed Forces (Navy). He was the Regional Harbourmaster for Environment Canterbury before his move to Canada, where he was the Director of the Great Lakes International Marine Training and Research Centre in Owen Sound, the statement said.
Mr Buell begins work at the regional council this Friday.
