Dunedin City Council chief executive Paul Orders has been suggested as a potential chief executive for Cardiff Council, but remains tight-lipped about returning to Wales.
Mr Orders and Mayor Dave Cull said in a statement they did not ''wish to comment on this matter'', when asked if Mr Orders would see out his five-year appointment.
When asked to rule out Mr Orders was applying for the Cardiff Council vacancy, the council issued the following response: ''Neither the mayor nor the CEO wish to comment on this matter.''
Earlier this month, Cardiff Council chief executive Jon House announced he would be leaving the $NZ343,000 role after three years in the top job.
Mr Orders, who recently turned down a $35,000 pay rise
on his $350,000 salary, was tipped as a potential candidate in an interview with the outgoing chief executive.
''I think there will be a number of people interested as it is the best job in Wales,'' Mr House told Wales Online.
Mr Orders was appointed in 2011 for a five-year-term following the departure of Jim Harland. Mr Orders, who had worked as corporate director with Cardiff Council, had been responsible for a wide range of economic and environmental services.
At the time of his appointment, Mr Orders said, ''This is a great opportunity for me to lead the DCC staff team and to make a contribution to the ongoing development of Dunedin''
