Local Government Minister Simon Watts confirmed Mr Alexander’s appointment to the Otago Daily Times yesterday.
Mr Alexander, who led the umbrella group for the country’s local authorities from 2012 to 2020, and was previously a senior executive at Genesis Energy, declined to comment.
He will represent the Crown in negotiating a regional deal with Otago Central Lakes, which consists of the Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago District Councils and the Otago Regional Council.
Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop has described the deals as strategic, 10-year partnerships to progress joint priorities between central and local government, including economic growth, enabling abundant housing, better management and use of local assets and closing the infrastructure deficit.
Queenstown Lakes Mayor Glyn Lewers said a negotiator had been appointed to represent the region, but he did not expect them to be named until the rules of engagement for the process had been finalised.
Mr Lewers is a member of a six-strong committee overseeing the process for the region, which first met on July 18.
They had since been meeting every week, he said.
"There’s also been a series of meetings between government departments and officers across the three councils."
Direct talks between the two negotiators would begin soon, he said.
The government is also negotiating regional deals with Auckland and Western Bay of Plenty.
