Queenstown Mayor Clive Geddes confirmed Mr Field's final payment was in three parts: firstly, outstanding holiday pay as per the Holidays Act, which Mr Geddes said was "somewhere between $22,000 and $26,000".
Secondly, Mr Field's usual annual "at-risk" performance element of $12,000.
And thirdly, a payment of $32,000 "in lieu of notice".
Mr Geddes acknowledged Mr Field was employed on a fixed-term contract, but said the contract was open to interpretation in regards to the notice.
"The $32,000 is not a bonus or a `goodwill payout' as such. It is simply the council honouring its obligations. Because the contract could be debated, the council made the decision to err on the side of caution," Mr Geddes said.
The council administration had been through a relatively high turnover of staff in the past eight years, yet just two personal grievance claims had been filed during this time, he said.
"The councillors decided to ensure the departure of this high-ranking employee of 12 years was as smooth as possible, so I stand by this payment," Mr Geddes said.
Mr Field's total pay package including the at-risk element, superannuation and vehicle allowance was $277,785.
A private farewell function was held at the Memorial Hall in Queenstown on Wednesday night.
The event was attended by about 150 guests to mark Mr Field's 12 years as the council's chief executive.
Mayor Clive Geddes presented Mr Field with a voucher for a painting.
The council's new chief executive, Debra Lawson (51), of the United Kingdom, will take over the position on March 1.
In the meantime, the position will be held by deputy chief executive Stewart Burns, who is also general manager of finance.
