The Waitaki District Council has chosen a former environmental scientist as its new chief executive.
Fergus Power, who also has a commercial law degree, has been chief executive of Wairoa District Council since 2014.
Mr Power's past work includes roles at the Bay of Plenty Regional Council and Kapiti Coast District Council.
He worked at an Auckland-based commercial law firm and then moved Cairns in 2012 where Mr Power was the principal solicitor for the Environmental Defenders Office of Northern Queensland.
Mr Power called Waitaki a "sparkling diamond of a district", said he was "extremely customer focused" and it was a privilege to be offered the job.
In his three years at Wairoa District Council, Mr Power oversaw the establishment of "space tourism'' in the district.
At the beginning of this month, The Gisborne Herald reported Mr Power confirmed the council had trademarked space-related phrases that would "add to the uniqueness'' of tourism visitor experiences to Te Wairoa: "Space Coast New Zealand'', "Space Coast Aotearoa'' and referring to the Wairoa Airport as "Earth Base One''.
Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher said Mr Power's reputation for innovation and for lifting customer service helped him win the position.
Mr Power takes up the role in September and is moving to the district with his partner, Tri.
- Staff reporter
