Whangarei District Council restructure - two hired, two go

Rob Forlong has headed WDC since July 2015 and wants council departments to work together more for the betterment of Whangarei.

Two experienced public servants from outside Whangarei will join the district council's leadership team early next year, as the restructure of the organisation continues.

But two experienced Whangarei District Council managers - Jude Thompson and Paul Dell - have resigned.

WDC chief executive Rob Forlong has now appointed four of five general managers who form the council's new strategic leadership team, with the final member to be announced early next year.

But uncertainty would continue for the council's 357 staff while the new bosses established themselves and began looking at how best to structure the departments under them.

Mr Forlong had described the restructure as a "reorganisation, rather than a downsizing".

He was aiming to address a lack of strategic direction among staff, and a tendency for council departments to work independently of each other.

Sandra Boardman, currently an executive with Southern District Health Board, would take the newly created role of "general manager community" in March.

In February another new post "general manager planning and development" would be filled by Alison Geddes, who has a background in local and central government in Australia and New Zealand.

Mr Forlong was yet to announce his fifth top-tier manager, charged with strategy and democracy, who would join the two new women and incumbents Simon Weston (general manager infrastructure) and Alan Adcock (general manager support). He was expected to do so in early 2017.

The restructure had resulted in the loss of experienced senior staff Ms Thompson and Mr Dell, both of whom resigned over the last week. They had each served WDC for nine years.

Mr Dell had filled the challenging customer-centric role of "group manager district living" which oversaw council's consents, long-term vision, community services and regulatory functions. He had helped drive popular projects such as the Hatea Loop, CBD laneway and Canopy Bridge.

Ms Thompson, the departing second-in-charge to Mr Forlong and "group manager positive growth", had been responsible for economic development, Maori relationship-building, property, events and tourism. Mr Forlong described her as a "strong advocate for promoting Whangarei".

Mr Forlong said he farewelled them both "with gratitude".

"They have been loyal and valued staff members ... and contributed much to the district."

Mr Forlong said a culture change was even more important than staff structure, and he wanted staff to think about what was best for the entire district, not just their own departments.

He was aiming to upskill middle managers and clue them up on council's strategic direction.

Other key changes would include a division devoted to supporting the council's democratic arm, and beefed-up economic development department which would work alongside planning staff to avoid unnecessary regulatory barriers to Whangarei's growth.