Debra Lawson planned to ease herself into her new job as chief executive of the Queenstown Lakes District Council.
But you know what they say about best-laid plans.
"My initial plan had been to take my time and get out meeting people in the community. As things turned out, I had to get straight in to council work right away as there was so much going on."
Ms Lawson (51) was appointed to the top council job in December 2009, to replace Duncan Field, who had held the position for 12 years.
With an extensive career in management in the United Kingdom, she started in the $250,000 per-year-job in March.
Shortly after she began work, the annual report had to be prepared, along with the budget for the next financial year.
Ms Lawson also got involved with creating statements of intent for Lakes Environmental, Lakes Leisure and the Queenstown Airport Corporation along with contract negotiations for the district's water services.
"It is a very complex role. But everyone, especially the council's senior staff, has been generous with their time and expertise. The same goes for the politicians, who have been very supportive."
Ms Lawson said reporting to elected politicians added "an interesting dimension" to her job.
"I have a great deal of respect for the democratic process."
Other matters which have dominated her first months in the job included the flood threat in April-May and the Glenorchy Rd rock slide in May.
"The rock slide really brought home for me the issues of accessibility a small community like Glenorchy faces," she said.
During the flood threat, the chief executive took a less visible role than Mayor Clive Geddes - a split of roles which has been repeated in other circumstances.
"I think Clive and I make a good team. He acted as the spokesperson throughout the flood alert, which went well with his knowledge from the 1999 flood. I could then focus on the smaller communities like Kingston and Glenorchy, which gave me a chance to get out and meet the locals," she said.
"It suits me fine, because while I do not mind stating an opinion, I do not feel I necessarily have to be in the media all the time. Often there are people with more specific knowledge, who would be better to address matters."
Recently, Ms Lawson has been involved in the deal between Queenstown Airport and Auckland Airport, which has brought her more into the public eye as representing the council's stance.
"All the interesting things which have happened over the past five months have been the perfect learning opportunity. Realistically, it would probably take a full year to get to know all elements of the council's work, as that would take you through the cycles of budgeting and financial reporting."
Internally at the QLDC, she promised she would look at how efficiently the council was delivering its services.
"The council staff work hard, and the willingness to find ways to save money and cut down on expenses is great. Yet, we have to be honest about what we can do better, and we will have to look at the future health of our organisation in terms of trimming operation costs and delivering value for money," she said.
"I am not afraid to make tough decisions, even in staff matters. But any changes or cuts will only be made based on a thorough understanding of all elements of the situation," she said.
Some of the future challenges she wanted to tackle included management of the water resources and ensuring affordable housing in the district.
She also had ideas about how the council could work.
"I would like us to work towards a 'one-stop-shop' where our residents can easily get any information or assist-ance they need from council. It will require all council staff to work as one team."
Yet, she also recognised the work would be shaped by the new council after the elections in October.
Ms Lawson said it was important to have "a healthy balance" between work and private life.
Her Scottish-born husband is still in Kapiti, near Wellington, but she hoped he would join her in Queenstown soon.
"So far I am just renting a property in Kelvin Heights, but at some stage we will look for a home to buy in the district."
She enjoyed the Queenstown lifestyle and would often spend her spare time on the walking tracks or on the skifields. Ms Lawson is a former UK triathlon world championships representative, but said she had too little spare time now to reach such a level again.
"What you do outside your job can often teach you valuable skills. Succeeding in sports takes some of the same qualities of perseverance, discipline and focus as it takes to succeed in the professional life," she said.
