Our executive

Jo Miller has been Chief Executive of Hutt City Council since July 2019. She is working with a new Mayor and Council, staff, iwi, partners and the community to ensure Lower Hutt is the very best it can be for all its people.

Jo previously held one of the most high-profile local government jobs in the UK, with an outstanding track record for motivating people, creating solutions and brokering agreements in major housing, economic regeneration and capital investment schemes.

As Chief Executive at Doncaster Council, Jo was recognised as having brought exceptional growth and optimism to a previously economically depressed town. The Local Government Chronicle said Doncaster had been “dragged up from the depths of despair to something to be proud of.”

Landmark projects with a total investment of £2 billion boosted economic performance, putting Doncaster in the UK’s top ten for growth. Jo was elected President of the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives in 2016 – 2019 and led the leadership portfolio on behalf of the profession. In 2017 the Local Government Chronicle named her the third most influential person in local government.

Monique Davidson was the youngest local government chief executives in New Zealand, appointed at the age of 29. She is currently the Chief Executive at Horowhenua District Council. Born and bred in Levin, Monique completed a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts at Victoria University of Wellington. Monique served at Horowhenua District Council for seven years in several Senior Management roles before starting as Chief Executive at Central Hawke’s Bay District Council in June 2016, before returning to Horowhenua District Council in 2022 as Chief Executive.

Currently the Vice President of Taituarā, Monique is described as a mover and shaker across local government in New Zealand.

Hamish has 18 years’ experience in the local government sector, having held financial and chief executive roles across four district and city councils.

He began his local government career at Christchurch City Council, before spending time at Manawatū, Mac​kenzie and Selwyn District Councils, where he was Chief Executive for two years. Hamish has also held several chief executive positions in the private sector, amassing 24 years of experience.

He holds a Bachelor of Business Studies from Massey University and is a member of Taituarā — Local Government Professionals Aotearoa.

Jason has 20 years’ experience in government roles, with a focus on governance management and leadership. He is passionate about democracy and ensuring that today’s governance professionals make a positive impact on decision-making.

He began his career in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, before spending some years at the New Zealand Embassy in Washington D.C., supporting our extensive military attaché network in the US. On his return from overseas he completed his Bachelor’s degree, before taking up a management role at North Shore City Council.

In 2007, he started at the Auckland City Council in Democracy Services before being successful for the Governance Support Manager role at the Auckland Council in 2010. Jason completed his Masters’ in Public Management through Victoria University in 2014 and joined the Whangarei District Council as the Governance Manager in 2015. Having been the General Manager Engagement and Transformation for several years, he is now the Chief Executive at the Kaipara District Council.

Louise has had a long career in local government. Her professional background is in resource management planning, and she currently holds the position of Executive Manager-Planning and Environment at Central Otago District Council. Louise is committed to working for the community and has led master planning and spatial planning to deliver on community aspirations. She is a Civil Defence controller for the Council.

Outside of work Louise enjoys hiking and biking in the stunning landscapes of Central Otago.

Andrea joined Wellington City Council as Chief Financial Officer in March 2023 and became its Chief Strategy and Finance Officer in July 2024.

She developed her knowledge and expertise in local government through 12 years with the local government team at the Office of the Auditor-General (OAG). She was appointed to the national lead role as Assistant Auditor-General, Local Government from 2015 and after 6 years in that role was invited by the Auditor-General to assume the role of OAG Project Lead and undertake his mid-term organisational and strategic review of the OAG.

Andrea has a strong knowledge of the challenges local authorities have in maintaining financial sustainability and affordability and enjoys explaining these challenges and the resulting opportunities.

Sally’s career has spanned the Parks, Sport, Recreation and Community Services space, working in senior roles at Auckland Regional Council, Hamilton City Council, Auckland Council and Waipā District Council. In 2020/21 Sally was recognised by her peers in receiving Recreation Aotearoa’s Ian Gallow Memorial Cup for services to the wider parks industry.

Sally has been at Waipā District Council since November 2018 and currently holds the Group Manager Customer and Community Services role. In this role, she leads teams who manage the district’s parks and reserves, cemeteries, libraries, museums, trust management (including pools and Maungatautari Ecological Island), community connection, customer support and communication and engagement. Sally was appointed the Civil Defence Emergency Management Local Recovery Manager for the Waipā District in 2024.

Sally has a passion leading people to be the best they can, providing spaces and services for the community to enjoy. Outside of work Sally can often be seen out running or cycling along the districts many cycleways and parks.

Nedine Thatcher-Swann is the Chief Executive of Gisborne District Council, a role she has held since 2017. She brings deep regional experience, having joined the council in 2009 and previously serving as Group Manager of Planning and Development.

Under her leadership, the Council has navigated major emergencies and embarked on ambitious recovery programmes, while driving organisational transformation, innovation, and strengthened Treaty partnerships. She is of Ngāti Porou, Te Aitanga a Hauiti and Ngai Tamanuhiri descent.

Nedine holds a Bachelor of Arts and two Master’s degrees, in Education and Business Administration, from Victoria University, and is active in governance roles including on the BOPLASS board. As a newly appointed Taituarā Board member, she brings regional leadership, sector insight, and a commitment to resilient, community-centred local government.