Celebrating more than 1,000 years of service to local government

At this year’s Taituarā AGM we had the opportunity to recognise an impressive group of people of Taituarā members who have made significant contributions to the local government sector.

The AGM was held during Te Hui Taituarā 2026 in Ngāmotu New Plymouth, it included the release of the Taituarā Annual Report and an opportunity to reflect on the past year.

The highlight of the meeting was recognising our Long Service Award recipients – local government professionals who have contributed between 20 and an whopping 55 years to the sector. While some were in attendance to accept in person others will have their certificates sent by post.

When Palmerston North City Council stalwart Stephen Paterson’s 55 year award was announced there were whispers of “How is that even possible?” heard around the room. A mind boggling and truly impressive tenure. While Stephen was not in the room to accept in person we would like to congratulate him and sincerely thank him for his impressive dedication.

Together, this year’s recipients represent more than a thousand years of local government experience.

Behind the numbers are people who have dedicated their careers spent serving communities, supporting elected members, developing organisations, delivering essential services and helping local government navigate decades of change.

Taituarā Vice President Monique Davidson congratulates recipients below:

We were pleased to recognise the following recipients:

20 years

Adrian Humphries – Southland District Council
Alan Adcock – Whangārei District Council
Alexandra Pickles – Whakatāne District Council
Bronwyn Bayliss – Hastings District Council
Claire Foster – Waitaki District Council
Debbie Lascelles – Gore District Council
Denise O’Shaughnessy – Auckland Council
Emlyn Hatch – Whakatāne District Council
Ian Hyde – Ashburton District Council
Katie Mayes – Waipā District Council
Kurt Williams – Rotorua Lakes Council
Leonie Rae – Tasman District Council
Mark de Haast – Kāpiti Coast District Council
Rachael Burgess – Ōpōtiki District Council
Rob Goldsbury – Whanganui District Council
Sarah Nichols – Waimakariri District Council
Scott MacLean – Dunedin City Council
Tessa Sturley – Waimakariri District Council

25 years

Chris McLay – Waikato Regional Council
Gareth Green – Tauranga City Council
Gunther Wild – Upper Hutt City Council
Jackie van Zijl – Thames-Coromandel District Council
Jon Roygard – Horizons Regional Council
Kathryn Scown – New Plymouth District Council
Rick Dunn – Rotorua Lakes Council
Stace Lewer – Ōpōtiki District Council

30 years

Jan Pedersen – Tauranga City Council
Jo Gread – Waipā District Council
Kathy Dever-Todd – Palmerston North City Council
Nigel Corry – Greater Wellington Regional Council
Peter Wimsett – Tararua District Council
Rex Capil – Invercargill City Council
Sheryl Poulsen – Hurunui District Council

35 years

Janine Becker – Waikato Regional Council
Louise van der Voort – Waitaki District Council
Shayne Harris – Manawatū District Council

40 years

David Bewley – Whakatāne District Council
Joann Ransom – Hutt City Council
Veronica Spittal – Waimakariri District Council

45 years

Russell McCracken – Wairoa District Council

55 years

Stephen Paterson – Palmerston North City Council

At a conference where much of our conversation focused on the future of local government and the significant change ahead, it was fitting to also take some time to recognise the people who have already helped the sector navigate so much change.

To all our Long Service Award recipients – ngā mihi nui and thank you for the knowledge, experience and commitment you continue to bring to local government and the communities it serves. View the Taituarā Annual Report 2025/26, presented at the AGM,