New CEO appointed for Rotorua District Council

Geoff Williams.

ROTORUA 19.04.13: Rotorua District Council has today announced the appointment of a new chief executive for a five year term commencing 01 July this year.

He is Geoff Williams, currently executive director for Regional Facilities Auckland (RFA), the Auckland Council CCO (council-controlled organisation) responsible for the city’s major regional venues.

RFA is a commercially focussed company governed by a board of directors with industry and political links. It employs in excess of 700 staff and manages assets worth around a billion dollars. Facilities include Auckland Art Gallery, Auckland Zoo, Mt Smart and Western Springs stadiums, The Edge, Aotea Centre and Town Hall, Viaduct Events Centre and Auckland Council’s interest in Vector Arena.

Rotorua mayor Kevin Winters said Mr Williams emerged the successful candidate after a very rigorous recruitment process that attracted 21 high calibre candidates from throughout New Zealand and overseas.

He holds education and psychology qualifications and has held executive positions in both central and local government organisations. He was previously a senior member for the Auckland Transition Agency, the organisation responsible for amalgamating seven councils and establishing Auckland Council.

“Given recent changes to local government legislation, and signals coming from central government, Mr Williams’ unique mix of skills and experience will be valuable as we assess options for the future shape of Rotorua’s own local government structure and direction over coming months and years.

“His strong mix of commercial and local government experience, and extensive skills in community and iwi engagement, will play an integral part in the next development phases of our council and our district.

Mr Williams said that he was excited to be returning to Rotorua to live, the place where he went to school and has previously worked.

“As a family we’re looking forward to relocating to Rotorua, making new connections and re-establishing links with old friends.

“I’m also looking forward to the opportunity I’ve been given to work with the mayor, councillors and staff to help achieve a shared vision for Rotorua residents, iwi and business,” he said.

Mr Winters also acknowledged the significant contribution that outgoing chief executive Peter Guerin had made to the district and the council over the 11 years he had been in the role.

“Rotorua has come a very long way in the last decade and Mr Guerin’s leadership and drive have been a significant component of the successes we’ve had in recent years.

“On his watch we’ve successfully completed a range of impressive projects for the community. These include the Energy Events Centre, airport development, trans-Tasman air services start-up, Museum extension, Civic Theatre upgrade, and four-laning of Fairy Springs and Lake roads.

“He has played a major role in implementing our partnership programme to help improve Rotorua lakes water quality through construction of new technology community waste water schemes, and he has ensured this council has been able to continually deliver seamless high quality services while keeping rates increases among the lowest in the country in recent years,” said Mr Winters.

I thank him for his quite exceptional professional service to the council and his tireless and passionate personal commitment to Rotorua and our wider community.”

Mr Guerin’s current five year contract finishes on 30 June.

[ENDS]

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