The Whakatāne District Council has confirmed the appointment of a highly-experienced urban landscape design and project management specialist to the new role of Manager Open Spaces and Places.

Mike Naude, currently Manager Design and Project Management for Opus International Consultants in Whakatāne, will join the Council early next month and says he is looking forward to continuing his involvement in a number of exciting projects, including the proposed Wairaka Centennial Park and the ongoing redevelopment of Whakatāne’s Heritage Hikoi (culture and heritage trail).

Mr Naude worked for the Council in a number of senior roles before joining Opus in 2008 and says he is returning to a “very different organisation”.

“Through my work with the transportation and community facilities teams, I’ve observed a real transformation,” he says. “Under its current leadership, the Council has been widely recognised for its forward thinking and innovative approach to service delivery, and I’m looking forward to contributing to that through the ongoing development of outstanding parks, reserves and public places.”

Amongst his many achievements, Mr Naude was project manager for the multi-award winning Warren Cole Walkway and lists it as one of the most satisfying projects he has been involved in. He has an extensive background in business and project management and strategy and policy development, built upon tertiary qualifications in management studies and landscape design.

A Whakatāne resident for the past 17 years, his community involvements include chairing the Whakatāne Community Board, a role he plans to step down from when he takes up his position. “Community service has always been very important to me, and I believe this new role offers a great opportunity to make a real contribution to the wider District.”