Dannevirke: King defeats challengers for top job

Blair King

Aftera long and robust process, the Tararua District Council has confirmed Blair King will remain chief executive for the next five years.

Tararua District Mayor Roly Ellis said the process had taken 2-3 months, with councillors agreeing to Mr King's new contract at an extraordinary meeting in committee yesterday morning.

After the chief executive's role was advertised, the council received 19 applications, with eight people being interviewed by Local Government New Zealand.

"The numbers came down to three, of which two were interviewed again," Mr Ellis said. "Myself and deputy mayor Bill Kelti were authorised to negotiate the detail and sign the contract on council's behalf yesterday morning.

"The major feature considered in Blair being selected is that this district still has a lot more engineering infrastructure to be done and he [Mr King] is a practical engineer. Blair is the right person to get this done and he has accomplished a lot over the years."

Mr King was appointed for an initial five-year term, with a two-year extension, which he is still working through, and his new contract will take effect from November 3.

He told the Dannevirke News he believed the key to his reappointment was his understanding of our rural district, having come from a farming background, along with his engineering background and financial skills.

"Core infrastructure and supporting our economic development is key," he said.

And the key challenges?

"It's the Woodville impound water supply, continuing our wastewater upgrade and working with our two iwi, Rangitane and Ngati Kahungunu, with their proposed Treaty of Waitangi settlements, which will also help our district," Mr King said.

With the Tararua Alliance working well and Lianne Simpkin and her team working on economic development, Mr King said it was important to keep our area sustained.

"I'm absolutely pleased by the confidence the council has shown in me," Mr King said. "And the feedback from [council] staff and stakeholders, encouraging me to apply for the position, has been encouraging."

He said he and his wife Sandy were involved in the community, with his commitment including being a member of the Dannevirke Volunteer Fire Brigade and USAR (Urban Search and Rescue).