Since starting work in February, he has faced huge challenges, including the Covid-19 outbreak and Rio Tinto’s decision to close the New Zealand Aluminium Smelter at Tiwai Point next year.
"It has been a bit of a rollercoaster in terms of what we have been through as a region with the impact of Covid-19. That has overshadowed a bit of what life might have been [for me]."
Great South is responsible for driving economic and business growth in the region.
Mr Budd described the lockdown period as one of the biggest challenges of his career.
"Lockdown came just weeks after my start here ... I only just got to know the people from my team when everyone had to work remotely and interact by video.
"It was a tricky situation as I tried to be a good leader, to motivate and engage when I did not know people very well."
However, in the middle of the "new normal" situation he learned about the solid team at Great South, he said.
"I was hugely impressed and proud of the staff and what they achieved through that difficult time."
After the lockdown period, when everything seemed to return to normal, he experienced another challenge in Southland’s future economy — the announcement of Tiwai’s closure.
The company which provides jobs for almost 2000 people in the region confirmed it would be closing next year.
And the same day as the Tiwai announcement, Mr Budd, along with his team and Southland leaders, started a campaign to advocate for an extension of the closure period.
"I did not have much time to rest," he said.
Despite the turbulent period, Mr Budd felt Southland was now his home.
"In Southland, we have a very friendly community. I would even say it is largely informal, in terms of interaction with people. The mood here is quite relaxed and easy.
"But there is a lot of energy and passion for the place. A lot of Southland residents are proud of their region and they are quite right to be like this."
Over the next six months, Mr Budd wants to create a better understanding of the agency throughout the region.
As a personal goal, he would like to help create better resilience.
"I want to support the community and the region as a whole.
"Great South does not exist for our own benefit — it was built entirely to serve our region and the people in it.
"With a great role comes a lot of responsibilities, and a lot of eyeballs are on us in terms of the things we are doing.
"I’m really enjoying the work and the people I’m working with. I feel really at home here and — it is my home."
