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Wanganui District Council Chief Executive

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Wanganui District Council Chief Executive Candidate Briefing Wanganui District Council Chief Executive July 2015 Contents 3> Background 4> The Region & Getting There 5> Community overview 6> Mayor & Councillors 7> Vision and Corporate Structure 8> Key metrics & CCOs 9> Corporate Structure Wanganui District Council Background Wanganui District Council is based in an urban area on the West Coast of the North Island of New Zealand. With a rich historic and cultural heritage, glorious natural environment and growing local economy, Whanganui provides exciting opportunities for entrepreneurs, businesses, and families. Geographically, Whanganui has a land area of 2373km2, most of which is hill country, with coastal flats and a major urban city. It is a two and a half hour drive north of Wellington, an hour flight from Auckland and sits at the intersection of State Highways 3 and 4. The region is renowned for its inspiring natural landscape, the heart of which is the Whanganui River. There is an abundance of recreational activities including kayaking, jet boating, camping and tramping. The reserves, parks, cycle and walk ways are a source of great pride for the community. In addition to recreation, Whanganui has a strong cultural identity. It has a population of approximately 43,000 people and is home to over 400 artists, has 15 galleries and a number of public art displays including sculptures, art and memorials. The Region Whanganui is a vibrant city situated on the north-western bank of the Whanganui River. The longest traversable river in New Zealand, it runs from Mount Tongariro out to the sea. Travelling along the river road takes between two and four hours, depending on where you choose to stop and take in the sights. Many settlements, marae and other famous features can be seen from the road as you journey along the river. Kai Iwi Beach is only 14km west of Whangaui and offers fishing, swimming and beach combing for the whole family. This beach includes barbeques, a playground and picnic area. Kowhai Park is New Zealand’s most unique children’s playground and sits on the bank of the Whanganui River. It has a variety of unusual and imaginative equipment, as well as barbeque facilities and toadstool picnic tables for all to enjoy. Queens Park is the cultural hub of Whanganui, housing the iconic Sarjeant Gallery, the Alexander Heritage & Research Library, Whanganui Regional Museum, Veterans Steps and War Memorial Centre. These buildings are surrounded by lush green parks and a view of the river and central city. Getting There Air • Daily flights to and from Auckland • 50 minute flight from Auckland Car • 2.5 hour drive from Wellington • 1 hour drive from Palmerston North Bus • Innercity Buses run trips in and out of the city • Naked Bus Company runs trips in and out of the city • Regional Council runs the urban bus service in Whanganui and within the Regional Council boundary On foot • Compact city centre creates easy access to shopping and amenities • Guided foot tours available Community overview/profile Whanganui residents enjoy a quality of life in an environment that is beautiful, invigorating, has an ease of living feel and strong family focus. In addition to the natural environment, Whanganui has a bustling retail centre, arts scene and a mild climate to enjoy outdoor community events. Schools Wanganui contains numerous primary and state secondary schools including Wanganui High School, Wanganui Girls College, and Wanganui City College. Wanganui Collegiate School is a decile 10 co-educational, Year 9 to 13 boarding and day school. For tertiary education, UCOL has a variety of courses, notably the School of Design including the iconic glass school, as Whanganui is home to New Zealand’s largest population of glass artists. The New Zealand Opera School is based in Godwin House at the Wanganui Collegiate School campus in Whanganui, New Zealand. Digital initiatives Whanganui now has an Ultra-Fast Broadband (UFB) network, launched on 15 May 2015. Local businesses can now work all over the world, instead of being bound to in-house servers. The Whanganui Digital Leaders Forum (WDLF) meets regularly to seek out and maintain opportunities for the District to connect to the digital world. This Forum is chaired by Mayor Annette Main . Mayor & Councillors Mayor Annette Main is in her second term as Mayor of Whanganui. Born and educated in Whanganui, she spent twelve years as a Regional Councillor prior to being elected as Whanganui Mayor in Mayor Annette Main October 2010. She has worked in a variety of fields inclduing public relations, tourism and retail business. Together with her late husband she developed an award winning accomodation and organic food business which has earned a national reputation in the tourism industry as a benchmark for eco- tourism. She also established her community’s most popular event, the Whanganui River Traders and Farmers Market. Annette is Chair of Whanganui and Partners which oversees economic development for the district, is a Director of Wanganui Holdings which manages the Councils commercial assets and is the Chair of the Whanganui Digital Leaders Forum, set up to maximise the opportuities for Whanganui from ultrafast broadband. She is a passionate advocate for broadband in rural areas ensuring opportunities for growth from technology in New Zealand are available to all. Councillors The Wanganui District Council is led by the Mayor along with 12 Councillors, elected in October 2013. They will hold office for a three year term. Cr Hamish McDouall (Deputy Mayor) Cr Jason Granville Cr Rangi Wills Cr Charlie Anderson Cr Ray Stevens Cr Helen Craig Cr Philippa Baker-Hogan Cr Martin Visser Cr Rob Vinsen Cr Jenny Duncan Cr Sue Westwood Cr Jack Bullock WANGANUI DISTRICT COUNCIL Te Kaunihera a Rohe o Whanganui WHANGANUI LEADING EDGE We are confident leaders and influential trailblazers – operating comfortably on the cutting edge. We are a ‘bit different’, don’t follow the pack and are energised and dynamic. This sets the scene for the strategy and the types of innovative approaches that we will front-foot. It’s about Whanganui being seen as progressive and exciting – a magnetic place of abundance and diverse appeal. COMMUNITY + CONNECTIVITY + CREATIVITY + ENVIRONMENT + ECONOMY Key metrics The council has total operating revenues of circa $80 million. For the year end June 2014, the Council reported an operating surplus after tax of $5.6 million. With 250 FTE’s, the Council is adequately resourced and has a wide range of projects and initiatives for the diversity of the Whanganui community. Other responsibilities include provision for community facilities and services, managing economic development activities and funding opportunities. Partners Wanganui District Council Holdings Ltd manages the Council’s commercial assets, their primary role being investments. The company owns 100% of the share capital of Wanganui Gas Ltd. Wanganui Incorporated (WINC) is an Economic Development Agency Wanganui Airport Joint Venture is owned in equal partnership with the Wanganui District Council and the Crown through Ministry of Transport and is managed by Wanganui Airport Authority (WAA) which is a business unit of Wanganui District Council. http://www.wanganuiairport.co.nz/passengers/airport-overview Wanganui Gas Ltd is an energy supply company that is 100% Whanganui owned and operated. Sarjeant Gallery Trust Board is a registered charity that was established to maintain a fine arts gallery in Whanganui. Funds are being raised at the moment to redevelop the Sarjeant Gallery to preserve the heritage building that houses the gallery, protect the collections and improve public access. http://www.sarjeant.org.nz/site/ Manawatu Wanganui Local Authority Shared Services Ltd (MW LASS) was established in 2008 to act as a platform for collaborative projects between the eight councils in the Horizons Region. Projects focus on improving the services provided to those councils and aim to reduce costs. Wanganui and Partners Ltd is tasked by Wanganui District Council to oversee its economic development activity. Wanganui and Partners represent the Council, local iwi and partner industries to form partnerships with the community that focus on growth and prosperity. http://whanganuiandpartners.nz/ Tupoho Working Tamaupoko Party Working Party Council (elected members) Rural Community Committees Board Statutory Audit and Risk Youth Management Chief Executive Corporate and Infrastructure Strategy and Finance Manager/ Community and Customer Services Human Resources Property Manager Manager Development Deputy Chief Cultural Manager Manager Manager Manager Executive .
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