Mr Bodeker will replace long-serving chief executive Graeme Martin in November and was in Dunedin yesterday to meet those with whom he will be working.
While acknowledging he was not getting a break between ending his New Zealand Seafood Industry Council role and starting his new one, he believed the timing was right, given there would be a lot of big issues to tackle next year at the regional council.
There would be much to absorb concerning the council's planned water plan changes but Mr Bodeker said he was used to getting his head around "incredibly complex" legislation.
"I'm clear about the role that has to be done. I'm excited about the very skilled staff of this organisation and working with that knowledge and experience."
His "real skill" was in facilitating and extracting information and ideas from different people, Mr Bodeker said.
Coming from a background in the dairy and forestry industries meant he had a good understanding of the pressures on resources, he said.
"There are some exciting possibilities, which will need to be managed really well and will have the potential to change the norm."
