The Dunedin City Council's new chief executive will be a Welshman, it has been announced this morning.
Paul Orders, corporate director (place) at Cardiff Council, has today been confirmed as the successful candidate for the post in Dunedin.
The appointment was announced in a statement released by Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull, who said Mr Orders' previous experience meant he had "exactly the skill set we were looking for".
Mr Orders said in the statement his new role was a "great opportunity" to make a contribution to Dunedin's development.
"I am looking forward to arriving in Dunedin with my family - hopefully in time for the Rugby World Cup - and to taking the city from strength to strength."
In his Cardiff Council role, Mr Orders was responsible for economic and environmental services ranging from economic development, tourism, events, cultural venues, regeneration, planning, transportation, highways, waste management and the Cardiff Harbour Authority.
He is married with three children and is a graduate of Cardiff, London and Cambridge Universities.
Mr Orders beat 46 other candidates to become the replacement for former chief executive Jim Harland, who announced his resignation late last year and left in January.
Mr Orders was also the second high-profile Welsh appointment in Dunedin, after David Davies was named the chief executive of Dunedin Venues Management Ltd in 2009.
Mr Orders was expected in Dunedin in mid-September or early October to take up his new role.
