The new chief executive officer for the Central Otago District Council will be the first woman to take up the role.
Leanne Mash, at present chief executive for the Hinchinbrook Shire Council in Queensland, Australia, will begin the Central Otago job in early February.
Although she could not be contacted yesterday, she released a statement saying she was ''thrilled'' by her appointment.
''... As a family we are very excited to be returning to Otago. I look forward to working with the mayor and councillors, staff and community to contribute to the wellbeing of the region.''
A council statement said she had family ties with Otago, beginning her experience with local government in 1998 when she worked at the Dunedin City Council's economic development unit.
She had since held chief executive positions with four local authorities.
Before her governance roles, she had a private-sector career in tourism,
managing two regional tourism organisations, and also owned a small business. Central Otago Mayor Tony Lepper said she was an experienced chief executive with a diverse work background.
Other senior roles she held in local government included working in economic development, civic pride, tourism, cultural and creative industries, marketing and public relations.
