Ashburton Council Boss Reappointed To Top Job

Thursday, 6 March 2025, 9:18 pm
Article: Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter

Hamish Riach has been appointed the chief executive for the Ashburton District Council for the next five years - a job he has already been doing for almost seven years.

Ashburton District Mayor Neil Brown said current chief executive Riach had been offered the role and accepted.

Riach said he is delighted to be reappointed.

"I look forward to continuing the council’s work programme with the mayor and elected councillors, council staff, contractors, and the Ashburton community."

Brown said the council is pleased to reappoint Riach “so future councils can benefit from his experience, skill, and consistency”.

“With local body elections and Government reforms coming up, we felt strongly that Hamish was the best choice to lead the organisation through the changes ahead,” Brown said.

Riach was first appointed to the role in 2018 and will have completed seven years in September 2025, with seven years (five years plus a two-year extension) being the maximum term of employment permitted under the Local Government Act.

The council engaged recruitment agency Brannigans Christchurch to provide independent advice to elected members and to facilitate the recruitment process.

The role had to be re-advertised in December last year.

It attracted 25 applicants that was then cut to a shortlist of five in early February.

- LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

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