QLDC starts recruitment for new water services CCO

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) will begin recruitment this week for an independent Board of Directors for the new body created to deliver water services in the district.

QLDC Programme Director, CCO Maseina Koneferenisi confirmed Council will initially be recruiting for the position of Board Chair for the Water Services Council Controlled Organisation (WSCCO).

“The new WSCCO is working to an official go live date of 1 July 2027. A critical aspect of that is the recruitment of a professional independent Board, starting with the Chair. The Board will be responsible for shaping the establishment of this new entity and have accountability for its governance,” she said.

“The Chair will lead the process of setting vision and strategy, shaping governance systems, recruiting the Chief Executive and Board members, overseeing risk, assurance and performance, and setting the culture of the organisation.”

Mrs Koneferenisi emphasised that extensive governance experience in highly regulated and complex high-risk sectors – ideally involving large infrastructure, commercial entities – will be a focus for the recruitment panel, and having an affinity for the region will also be important.

“We’re looking for someone who can work closely with Council (as shareholder), mana whenua and regulators, providing confident, transparent leadership within a high-scrutiny, politically sensitive environment.”

“This is a legacy role. Our first Chair will be instrumental in building a new organisation that will serve one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most distinctive communities for generations. They will work with committed partners and have a clear mandate set by legislation, with the opportunity to make their mark.”

At the Full Council meeting of 5 February, Councillors agreed to form an establishment board panel to recruit the WSCCO’s inaugural Board of Directors. The panel comprises Mayor John Glover and Councillors Gavin Bartlett, Samuel ‘Q’ Belk, Stephen Brent, Niki Gladding and Cody Tucker. Five Directors will be appointed for an initial term of three years with one right of renewal, with staged reappointment provisions to ensure continuity and stability.

Executive recruitment specialist Sheffield is supporting QLDC through the recruitment process. Applications for the WSCCO Chair will be open for approximately one month. Recruitment for the remaining four Directors is expected to follow one month later.

A candidate briefing document and applications will be available via the following websites: