Richard Briggs’ appointment as Dunedin City Council chief executive was announced by Mayor Sophie Barker in a press release yesterday.
Mr Briggs, 53, a former Hamilton City Council chief executive, was appointed for a five-year term and will receive a salary of $465,000 per year.
He saw off 43 other applicants and will take up the role when incumbent Sandy Graham’s contract expires in October.
She did not apply to continue her role.
Mr Briggs yesterday told the Otago Daily Times he was chuffed and excited by his appointment.
‘‘One of the things that ... really impresses me [is] there’s a lot of ambition and potential in Dunedin as a city.
‘‘There’s a lot going on [in the city] — it’s quite cool — but also within the council as well.
‘‘I really enjoy getting the best out of people so one of the things I’ll be ... focusing on is continuing the journey that the council’s currently going through.’’
Shepherding the council through the ‘‘massive reform agenda’’ facing the local government sector was also a key goal.
The job represented a return to Dunedin for Mr Briggs, who previously lived and raised a family in the city while working for Audit New Zealand.
He still remembered it fondly.
‘‘[I] can’t wait to get down there and actually get my feet under the desk.’’
He most recently served as interim chief executive of the Hawke’s Bay Regional Economic Development Agency, helping reset the region’s strategic direction and support relationships across councils, iwi and industry.
In a statement, Ms Barker said she was delighted to secure Mr Briggs’ services in a role critical for the council and the wider city.
‘‘Richard was an outstanding candidate in a high-quality field of applicants.’’
His salary, in addition to a 4% annual KiwiSaver contribution, was in line with similar chief executive roles across the local government sector.
It reflected the role’s ‘‘extensive requirements, responsibilities and legal obligations ... as well as the value we place in securing the services of a high-performing leader in such a critical role’’, she said.
Ms Barker also acknowledged the ‘‘fantastic’’ work of Ms Graham during her many years at the council.
‘‘She is a highly skilled, hardworking and effective chief executive, who has led from the front in what is a very complex, demanding and public role, and I want to thank her for her efforts.’’
