Mr Bayfield replaces former chief executive Bryan Jenkins who announced in October he was resigning to take up a two-year professorial fellowship with the Waterways Centre for Freshwater Management in Christchurch, a partnership between Canterbury and Lincoln Universities.
Environment Canterbury (ECan) chairwoman of commissioners, Dame Margaret Bazley, announced the new appointment on Wednesday and said Mr Bayfield would bring strong leadership to the role as an experienced chief executive with significant regional and public sector experience.
He had a proven ability to build strong relationships and networks across his regional council community and with central government. He also had a track record of working collaboratively with iwi and environmental groups, she said.
Mr Bayfield has been chief executive of Bay of Plenty Regional Council for five years where he leads a staff of about 300 people. Before joining the regional council he was a general manager with the Ministry for the Environment in Wellington.
In moving to ECan, Mr Bayfield said he would be joining an organisation at the cutting edge of regional government in New Zealand.
"The challenges facing Environment Canterbury in terms of water quality, water quantity, and now the earthquake, present huge challenges and opportunity for the region," he said.
Joining ECan at a time of significant change, Mr Bayfield said leading and empowering staff through this process would be a key focus for him.
Dr Jenkins was ECan's chief executive for seven years, including in April last year when the Government appointed a team of commissioners to take over the running of Environment Canterbury from the elected councillors.
During his time as chief executive, he also oversaw some major initiatives including the development of the Canterbury Water Management Strategy, an innovative programme involving all sectors of the community in management of water resources.