Mark Weatherall is Dunedin City Council’s aquatic manager, off the back of governance roles in sport and recreation bodies across New Zealand.
‘‘I think because I don’t have an aquatics background, I’ve got a lot to learn, but also with that experience, I’ve got a lot of stuff I can bring,’’ Mr Weatherall said.
‘‘My goal would be to empower and support [the staff] to be the best they can be, ultimately, which is providing a service to the people of Dunedin, which I’m very passionate about — Dunedin’s where my heart is.’’
Mr Weatherall’s CV includes chief executive roles at Poverty Bay Rugby, Canoe Racing New Zealand and, most recently, Life Education Trust.
He spent four years as executive director of Te Araroa — the long-distance tramping route spanning the length of New Zealand — where he managed walkers and stakeholders.
Mr Weatherall’s first job out of university was with Surf Lifesaving NZ and, all up, he had worked for them for about 17 years throughout his career — ‘‘it’s been my thing forever’’.
He is a life member of his home Surf Lifesaving club Brighton, Omanu, in Mt Manganui, and of Surf Lifesaving NZ.
Mr Weatherall’s family have long been involved with Surf Lifesaving New Zealand and the Brighton club.
‘‘That’s my thing outside work, and [I] continue to be involved there, and looking forward to being involved back at Brighton — once it warms up a bit,’’ Mr Weatherall said.
With his two children both now at university, the time was right to return to Dunedin.
Mr Weatherall will oversee the city’s four aquatic facilities — Moana Pool, Mosgiel’s Te Puna o Whakaehu and the seasonal Port Chalmers Pool and St Clair Hot Salt Water Pool.
At the season’s peak, about 250 staff, including casual staff, worked across the four facilities, he said.
‘‘I’ve been really enjoying getting to meet them and know them.
‘‘We’ve got a lot of young ones, and then there’s some older ones who have been around aquatics for a long time, who bring great experience and great knowledge, which is really quite cool.’’
