Sandy Graham said yesterday she was delighted with the result, which would enable her to stay in the role until October 12, 2026.
"I’m really pleased with the outcome, which gives continuity to the organisation and means we can all now focus on the most important thing — delivering for our community," she said.
The council confirmed yesterday councillors had voted to offer her a one-year extension on her contract, which had been due to expire in October this year.
Councillors decided on Thursday to offer a contract extension, rather than advertise the position, and Ms Graham accepted the offer yesterday.
The chief executive said in an email to staff on Wednesday she had indicated she "would like to stay on for a further two years".
The Otago Daily Times asked if she was initially disappointed about just a one-year extension, but happy enough in the end.
"I’m delighted and about to enjoy a small glass of bubbles with friends and family to celebrate," Ms Graham replied yesterday afternoon.
Ms Graham first joined the council in the mid-1980s, working as part of a roading crew.
She returned in 2007 and held the roles of webmaster, strategy and governance general manager and city services general manager before being appointed chief executive in 2020.
Ms Graham listed a series of highlights of her tenure, including the Save Our Southern Hospital campaign, improved Civil Defence responsiveness — demonstrated by the October 2024 flood response — and engagement with mana whenua.
She also noted the time period had included the Covid-19 pandemic, redevelopment of George St, opening of Mosgiel’s Te Puna o Whakaehu swimming pool complex and obtaining resource consent for the Smooth Hill landfill.
She was pleased with the rollout of the revamped rubbish and recycling kerbside collection service and "improved delivery of our capital programme and investment in the renewal of our core infrastructure".
Ms Graham’s leadership has also been controversial at times, such as when sources said she insulted the mayor and city councillors.
Dunedin Mayor Jules Radich said the chief executive’s role was incredibly very demanding and "we’re lucky to have someone of such calibre providing excellent service to the city and its ratepayers".
"Ms Graham is a highly effective, skilled and very hard-working chief executive, and I’m delighted she will continue in the role," Mr Radich said.
He did not say why the contract extension was for just one year.
Cr Carmen Houlahan said she was delighted Ms Graham had accepted the offer.
"She is very experienced, professional and passionate about the city," she said.
Dunedin mayoralty candidate Andrew Simms said a 2026 transition in chief executives, or reappointment, could be helpful for the next council.
"I think it’s possibly the best outcome in some respects, in that it then does shift it into the next council, which I think is important."
Council elections are to be held this October.
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