Mayor Greg Lang, left, with new Carterton chief executive Geoff Hamilton at Monday’s powhiri. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
Carterton District Council welcomed their new chief executive Geoff Hamilton to work with a powhiri on Monday morning.
Hamilton would fill the vacancy left by exiting chief Jane Davis, who resigned in March.
Since Davis’ resignation, former Tararua District Council CEO Blair King had served as Carterton’s interim chief executive, helping the council to get its Long-Term Plan over the line.
Hamilton said he intended to guide Carterton District Council through any changes local government reforms would bring.
A review of local government was due in 2023.
“I’m here to listen, learn, and guide the council and community through changes being proposed by Local Government,” Hamilton said.
“I look forward to working with the council, staff, iwi, and community, and provide a voice for Carterton and the wider Wairarapa district.”
Hamilton had moved from Ohope in Bay of Plenty, where he had lived for the past five years.
He had previously worked as chief financial officer at Whakatane District Council from October 2020 to April 2021.
Since January 2020, he had served as the independent chair of the investment company branch of Maungaharuru-Tangitu, a post-settlement iwi group based in Napier.
“I understand the challenges faced with provincial areas and the need to have a local voice when it comes to issues of national importance,” Hamilton said.
“Balancing the needs of the local community and the wishes of central government with an affordable cost model will be a key part of this challenge.”
Carterton Mayor Greg Lang welcomed Hamilton to the district while acknowledging past leaders from the Carterton borough and district councils since 1887.
“There are many changes on the horizon for Local Government across New Zealand, as well as many opportunities for our district as we continue to work on developing our town centre,” Lang said.
After the powhiri, Lang had spent most of the day introducing Hamilton to key people within the council.
“I don’t envy him – there’s a lot to take in,” Lang said. “But we’re all really excited and looking forward to the innovation that he is going to bring. It’s another step forward.”
Councillors and council staff attended Monday’s powhiri, along with the three Wairarapa mayors, representatives of Hurunui-o-Rangi marae, and Carterton School pupils.
