The Local Government Minister has announced his pick for the Crown Observer appointed to oversee Wellington City Council, saying it was not a decision taken lightly.
Lindsay McKenzie, a former chief executive of Tasman and Gisborne district councils, has been appointed to a seven-month term beginning on Wednesday.
Last month, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown announced he would appoint an observer, after the council spent months wrangling over its long-term plan.
A planned sale of the council’s ownership stake in Wellington Airport, pushed by mayor Tory Whanau, was scuttled at the last minute following a vote by councillors in October.
McKenzie’s term will conclude on July 31 or earlier “if appropriate”, Brown said.
“Mr McKenzie is the former chief executive officer of Tasman District Council and Gisborne District Council. He has significant governance and senior leadership experience in local government,” he said in a media release.
“When Invercargill City Council was facing governance issues, Mr McKenzie was called upon as an external appointee to support its governance performance improvement programme.
“He also has strong financial acumen, which is reflected in his current appointment as an independent member of the Nelson City Council audit, risk and finance committee.
“Mr McKenzie will provide the support and advice necessary to assist the Council as it delivers an amended Long-Term Plan that works for the city, its ratepayers, and communities.”
Brown added: “Wellington City Council is facing significant challenges in delivering services to its community, while balancing its debt and insurance obligations. The decision to appoint a Crown Observer was not one that I took lightly.
“However, my assessment is that the financial and behavioural challenges facing the Council represent a significant problem as set out in part 10 of the Local Government Act 2002.
“I have decided a Crown Observer is necessary to better enable Wellington City Council to address their problems and allow me to monitor their progress in doing so.”
