We are delighted to advise you of new members of the Taituarā Executive who will commence from 1 July 2023. We also would like to express our sincere thanks to members finishing their service, announce ongoing changes to make Taituarā fit for the future, as well as announce that we are now looking to recruit a new Chief Executive to lead our team.
Our new President
Jo Miller who is Chief Executive at Hutt City Council was elected unopposed as President. We would like to share this message from Jo below:
“It’s a real privilege to take on the role of Taituarā President. Thank you to Sanchia for her outstanding leadership. I’m looking forward to working with the Taituarā Executive and membership in order to grow the work of Taituarā to support capability and capacity in our sector through this time of great change – helping our members to do their jobs well. We have a great opportunity to deepen our collaboration with others, harness the skills and experience of all of our members, and focus on the next generation.
He timatanga hou, he waka eke noa
New beginnings – we are all in this together”
Our new Vice President
Monique Davidson who is Chief Executive at Horowhenua District Council was elected unopposed as Vice President. We would like to share this message from Monique below:
"I am a proud member of the local government whanau; passionate about the work we do across communities and the difference we make. It is a pretty overwhelming time for the sector, and I am looking forward to working with the Taituarā Executive and members to support a positive, future-focused and relentless leadership approach that will ensure Taituarā is poised to support the sector as we face change head on. I love the way we support each other as a sector, and look forward to working with you as we face the future together."
New and continuing members of the Taituarā Executive
We are also pleased to announce the results of the three local branch elections, which includes two new branch representatives:
- Jason Marris, Chief Executive at Kaipara District Council retains his position and was elected unopposed as the Northern Branch representative.
- Doug Tate, Chief Executive at Central Hawke's Bay District Council was elected unopposed as the Central Branch representative.
- Hamish Riach, Chief Executive at Ashburton District Council was elected unopposed as the Top of the South Branch representative.
The new Taituarā Executive will serve from 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2025.
Incoming President Jo Miller is currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer. Although Jo will still be an active member of the Taituarā Executive, Barbara McKerrow, our Wellington area representative and former Taituarā President, will act on her behalf from 1 July 2023 to 30 September 2023 while her treatment is being completed.
We look forward to working with Jo, Monique, Jason, Doug, Hamish, as well as existing members Steve Ruru (Vice President), Tanya Winter, Barbara McKerrow, and Louise van der Voort over the next term.
Our sincere thanks
We would also like to express our sincere gratitude for the fantastic mahi that two departing members have contributed to our organisation. Nikki Harrison finishes as Top of the South branch representative, and Sanchia Jacobs as our President of the last two years.
Sanchia, we thank you so much for your unswerving support and the considerable knowledge and expertise that you have so generously shared for the benefit of Taituarā members and their communities across our country.
A re-energised Taituarā
In early April, the Taituarā Executive began a focused process of energising for the future of Taituarā to ensure the member services and functions are fit for purpose as we move through change. This process will ensure that Taituarā continues its purpose of supporting vibrant thriving leadership in local government with an enhanced focus on capability and capacity building in order to support the sector and inform a route map for revitalising Taituarā into a dynamic, future-focussed organisation.
The local government sector faces significant change, with both capacity and capability challenges in continuing operations, meeting the changes, and being fit for the future. As the local government membership organisation for staff, it is vital that Taituarā is forward thinking, dynamic and future focussed to order to support the sector members and future members to support local government through its own operations, through partnerships and through collaborations with others. If you would like to know more about this process, we encourage you to contact Lisa Rountree, Executive Assistant.
Could you be our new Chief Executive?
This week Taituarā moved to the next stage in its recruitment search for a transformational Chief Executive to lead our organisation. This role will provide the opportunity to have both national and local impact, working with the talented people at the heart of communities across the country, and representing the sector to the wider world.
If you are a highly effective leader who is empowering and inspirational and are looking for your next step, then we encourage you to apply.
Applications and further information can be obtained about this opportunity here.