Whakatāne District Mayor Dr Victor Luca has announced that Council Chief Executive Steph O’Sullivan will leave the organisation mid- July 2024 to take up the Chief Executive role at Waipa District Council.
“While this news has come as a surprise, I have always anticipated our CE would be moving on to further her career at some stage. It is the natural order of these things. Steph is a driven and dedicated public service professional, this move is a great opportunity for her and I wish her the very best.”
“The Whakatāne District has been privileged to have Steph lead the Council executive and staff for close to five-and-a-half years. Steph has worked with three Mayors - Tony Bonne, Judy Turner and me. Steph has led through the aftermath of flood events, the Whakaari Eruption, COVID-19 and an unprecedented period of change and uncertainty in local government. We have delivered our biggest suite of Capex projects under her tenure, strengthened our commitment to iwi relationships and been recognised in Taituarā Local Government Excellence Awards, among other notable achievements. During that time, she has always been a strong advocate for our District at a national level and I’m sure that will be reflected in the quality of the applicants who will be putting their names forward for the CE role when it is advertised in the coming weeks.”
Steph says that while she is excited by the challenge ahead and very grateful for the opportunity extended to her, it wasn’t a straightforward decision to make.
“While this new role will see a return home to the South Waikato, which allows me to be of closer support to whānau there, I have a dearly loved sister, nephews and good friends here who of course I will miss seeing on such a regular basis. So that was a tension point, where it’s been both an easy and difficult decision, as major turning points in our lives always are.”
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time in the Eastern Bay. The Whakatāne District is made up of diverse, resilient communities. People who have been here forever and those who have come to this beautiful part of the world more recently. I’ve been warmly embraced here by many aspects of our communities and given the opportunity to share and work with people on many different projects and kaupapa.
It’s been a privilege and I know I’ll stay connected with the people and communities of the Eastern Bay through family, friends and professional networks.
My remaining time at WDC will allow me to see through the challenging LTP process and enjoy a couple more months of working with Mayor Victor and the great Council of Elected Members and the wonderful team of dedicated staff who really do have their communities at the heart of everything they do.”