Mr Woodhead, who was previously the group's deputy chairman, replaces former Greater Wellington Regional Council chairwoman Fran Wilde, who has resigned.
The regional sector group is one of four LGNZ sector groups, each of which is represented on the organisation's national council.
The regional sector group represents the country's 12 regional councils and several other unitary authorities, the latter being territorial authorities that also perform the functions of a regional council.
Mr Woodhead said that his new role had initially come as an ''unsuspected surprise'', after Ms Wilde had stepped down.
The regional sector group post involved a significant leadership role, but was a ''good challenge'', given that the group, which met four times a year, also had a great deal of skill and expertise.
The group's focus included the regional co-ordination of government work programmes with national significance for regional councils, Mr Woodhead said.
The group was also working with iwi leaders on cross-cultural issues, and co-ordinating the development of the Land Air Water Aotearoa internet site, which provides key environmental data.
Other work included regional hazard management projects, and some public transport issues, he said.
Those public transport issues would include considering aspects of the long-term funding of the Government's SuperGold free off-peak bus travel scheme.
