It is with gratitude for almost two decades of outstanding service to this District that Council farewells CEO Mark Simpson.

Mark’s contract with Council has expired and Council is now in the process of negotiating a contract with a new CE.

The Council and I extend our best wishes to Mark. Under his stewardship this organisation and the District as a whole has made enormous progress.

Mark began at Council in November 1996 as Waste and Drainage Manager. In October 1998 he was appointed CEO and has held that position ever since.

In the 2000s Mark was responsible for setting a mission statement for this Council, Creating the Ultimate Living Environment, and identifying values for the organisation. He led us through the Business Excellence System, and later envisioned “Whangarei at a Crossroads”.

One of the most outstanding achievements by the organisation under his leadership was completion of the Lower Hatea Crossing, Te Matau a Pohe. This project was one of the final links in a roading capital works programme conceived of in the mid-1990s.

Other work completed on Mark’s watch includes:

Traffic

• Kamo bypass Stage 1

• Five-finger roundabout

• Dent and quay Street realignment

• Porowini Avenue extension and roundabout

• Four-laning of Western Hills Drive and the Central Ave intersection

• Spedding Road link to Kamo Bypass Stage 2

Wastewater

• Whangarei Heads Sewerage Scheme

• Adoption of a two-stage strategic plan for improving waste-water management in the City

• Ngunguru Wastewater Treatment Plant

• Hatea Storage tank and Wastewater treatment Plant

• Okara rising main and pump station

• Oakura network and wastewater treatment plant

• Ruakaka South sewer scheme

• New public toilets

• Elimination of storm wastewater discharges into the harbour.

Rubbish

• Development of a network of rural transfer stations

• Joint venture for the development of Puwera Landfill

• Closing of Pohe Island landfill and development of the Re:Sort Transfer station

• Introduction of kerbside recycling.

Water

• Rationalisation of the District’s water supplies and treatment plants

• Upgrading treatment plants to the highest standard

• New Hatea pipeline

• Wilson’s Dam

Amenities

• Whangarei Aquatic centre

• Whangarei Central Library

• Relocation of the Whangarei Art Museum

• The Gymnasium and athletics track

• Toll Stadium

Parks

• Waka and Wave Millennium Sculpture

• Walkways

• Cycleways

• Sea walls

• Seven new sports fields

• The Heritage trail

• Art park

• Canopy bridge

• Sense of place plantings and banners

• Redevelopment if Mander Park

• World class BMX track

• Development at the Quarry Gardens

• Green Flag status for Scenic Reserve, Parihaka

• The opening of the Hatea Loop – Huarahi o te Whai

• Kotuitui whitinga bridge

Planning

Numerous seminal documents and studies have been completed in Mark’s time as CEO including:

• Sustainable Futures 30/50

• Four LTPs

• The District Plan and multiple District Plan Changes

• 20/20 living the vision (and all the documents that flowed from it).

Major changes have also occurred in the resource consents, building and regulatory area.

The Councillors and I would like to thank Mark for his stewardship, leadership and commitment to what has often been a very demanding job.

An announcement about the new appointment will be made by the end of next week. In the meantime Simon Weston continues in the role of Acting Chief Executive.

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