12 May 2008

New Kapiti Coast CE from Nelson

Patrick Dougherty, currently the Deputy Chief Executive of the Nelson City Council, has been named as the new Chief Executive of the Kapiti Coast District Council.

Mr Dougherty (50) began his local government career as a civil engineer with the Nelson City Council in 1986. He has an MBA (with Distinction) from Massey University and is married with two adult children.

Kapiti Mayor Jenny Rowan said she was delighted to announce Mr Dougherty’s appointment.

“The Council has engaged in a rigorous process to make this appointment. Mr Dougherty has a substantial background in local government and I believe we have a quality candidate who has the experience, skill and ability to lead the Council and the district through the considerable challenges of the future,” she said.

In the past 22 years Mr Dougherty has held three substantially different positions with the Nelson City Council.

In 1986 he was appointed Services Engineer, responsible for the operation and upgrading of Nelson’s water, wastewater and stormwater systems during a period of steady population growth.

In 1998 he was appointed Manager of Technical Services, responsible for the full range of engineering services to the Council including: roading, traffic management and waste management.

Mr Dougherty has been Divisional Manager of Support Services for Nelson since 2001. He is responsible for the management of the Council’s business assets and the provision of human resources, information management, public communication, secretarial, reception and administration services. He was appointed Deputy Chief Executive last year.

Outside his mainstream Council responsibilities, Mr Dougherty has also been a Director of the Local Government Industry Training Organisation and Nelmac Ltd, a Council-owned maintenance and construction company.

He has served as alternate director for the Mayor of Nelson on the Boards of Nelson Airport Ltd, and Port Nelson Ltd.

Mr Dougherty says he’s “very excited” about his new appointment.

“I enjoy the teamwork and variety of local government and I also like its focus on making life better for the members of our community. Kapiti is a beautiful part of the country, it offers a great life style and we are looking forward to moving there,” he said.

Ms Rowan paid tribute to Council staff who “had worked very professionally through an unsettling period.

“I particularly want to acknowledge Kevin Jefferies who has done a sterling job as Acting Chief Executive for the past four months. He has worked extremely hard and has served the Council with loyalty and integrity.”

Mr Dougherty replaces Leigh Halstead who resigned from the Council in December last year.

He is expected to take up the new position in August.

ENDS

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