Steven May new chief executive for Wairoa council

Steven May has been appointed to replace former Wairoa chief executive Fergus Power, who resigned from the council earlier this year. Photo / Supplied

A new leader has been found to take over the helm at the Wairoa District Council.

Yesterday Wairoa Mayor Craig Little said he and councillors were pleased to announce Steven May had been appointed as the council's new chief executive.

Mr May is currently the Head of Operational Policy and Quality Improvement at Christchurch City Council. He is expected to take up his new role at the end of January 2018.

He brings a "wealth of experience" in the local government sector, with previous roles at the Grey District Council, the Waitaki District Council and the Waikato District Council.

He will be filling the shoes of Fergus Power, who resigned in July and moved to North Otago to take up the CEO role at the Waitaki District Council, which started in September.

Mr Little said they were pleased to have been able to secure Mr May's appointment.

"I'm excited about the skills and expertise that Steven will bring to council and I know the councillors and I are really looking forward to working with him.

"We have been through a very thorough and rigorous recruitment and appointments process and I'm looking forward to Steven joining us here in the Wairoa District."

Mr May said he was extremely humbled by this opportunity.

"The Wairoa District has so much potential and I believe this is a really exciting time for the district and I look forward to being part of that journey."

Mr Little acknowledged staff, and particularly the interim CEO John Freeman, "assisting in this transition phase whilst we undertook this process to find a new CEO".

The former Central Hawke's Bay District Council chief executive has been acting as Wairoa's chief since late July. He was CHB's chief for 12 years, leaving earlier this year.

The Mayor also thanked "councillors and the chair of the Maori Standing Committee Kiwa Hammond for their involvement in the selection of Steven as our new CEO."

Mr Power had joined the Wairoa District Council in March 2014. In the time since he was said to have been instrumental in boosting the district, and "unleashing its potential".