The Otago Regional Council has announced its new chief executive.
Sarah Gardner, who is currently the executive director of waste and resource recovery at the New South Wales Environment Protection Authority, will start the role on January 29.
The New Zealander's career also includes time in regional government, The Ministry for the Environment and the New Zealand Environmental Protection Authority.
Ms Gardner said she was "delighted" to have been appointed and looked forward to relocating to Otago.
"While Council has some important challenges to navigate, collaborative relationships with stakeholders and effective implementation of policies and plans will ensure we deliver the outcomes for the environment that are so important for the Otago Region.”
Council chairman Stephen Woodhead said Ms Gardner was an experienced executive, with key strengths in complex project delivery, policy and planning, community communications, relevant legal frameworks, strategic leadership and team building.
The council undertook a robust, thorough recruitment process and was delighted to be able to appoint Ms Gardner to the position, he said.
Former chief executive Peter Bodeker ended his five years in the position this month.
He wanted to retain his role, but was not considered for the job by the council.
