Gore District Council has found a new chief executive to replace long-standing boss Stephen Parry.
Deborah Lascelles will become only the third person to hold the title over the past 35 years.
She will leave the South Waikato District Council and begin the job in June. In her current role, Lascelles holds the job of executive manager for strategy and transformation.
The new chief executive has also held other senior titles at Hamilton City and Waipa District councils.
In a statement to 1News, Lascelles said she was thrilled to be taking the Gore job.
"I am looking forward to getting to know the communities within the district, getting to know staff and getting stuck into what is shaping up to be a busy time for local government over the next few years."
One expert believes it's the wrong call, saying it's not about finding fault but rather preventing a repeat of the past. (Source: 1News)
Gore Mayor Ben Bell said: "She is a strategic thinker, skilled at building strong community relationships and leading large teams.
"Coming from a provincial council with strong rural ties makes Debbie a great fit for Gore."
The new hire comes after a rocky start to Gore's local government term.
Bell became the youngest mayor in the country's history during the 2022 local elections, defeating incumbent long-term mayor Tracy Hicks.
But his time as mayor became turbulent only weeks into the job over a "working relationship breakdown" with the council's chief executive of 22 years, Stephen Parry.
There was a public protest calling for Parry to resign, alongside calls for Bell to resign during the saga.
In the end, it saw Parry resign from the top job last September. He will continue to hold his interim role as chief executive until Lascelles starts in June.
In the media release announcing the new chief executive, Bell acknowledged Parry: "He has been an integral part of the organisation for a long time."
There were 74 applications for the chief executive role from throughout New Zealand and overseas.
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