Hawke’s Bay Regional Council Chief Executive (CE) Dr Nic Peet has announced his resignation, after three years in the job. His last day in the role will be Thursday 9 July.

Chris Dolley, HBRC’s Asset Management Group Manager has been named as acting CE.

In a statement to staff this week, Dr Peet said given the enormous period of change the local government sector was facing, it was appropriate that new leadership picked up the reins. “I am enormously proud of the HBRC team and all that we have been able to achieve, particularly during catastrophic storm events and the recovery which followed,” he said.

Council Chair Sophie Siers said Dr Peet had supported councillors and staff through a complex and demanding time, having joined at one of Council’s most challenging periods in recent history.

“Decisions like this are never easy, and I want to thank Nic for the commitment and care he has shown to this organisation. He has supported us as we’ve rebuilt trust, strengthened our foundations, and progressed important recommendations from the post-cyclone reviews … Nic’s ongoing professionalism was, and is seen and appreciated. On behalf of the Council, I wish him all the very best for whatever lies ahead.” 

Dr Peet joined HBRC in July 2023, after 10 years at Horizons Regional Council. His previous experience included time as the Department of Conservation (DOC) Area Manager in Whanganui, and as a Research Associate in the United Kingdom for BirdLife International, a global partnership of non-governmental organisations that strives to conserve birds and their habitats.  Dr Peet earned his PhD in Ecology from the University of East Anglia in the UK.

As HBRC’s Asset Management Group Manager, Mr Dolley leads the group which looks after river, drainage and coastal engineering, capital project delivery, flood scheme operations and maintenance, water security, and the regional park network.

That itself is arguably an over- full plate. Perhaps with this change in mind, HBRC is also advertising for a Regional Asset Manager.

Chair Siers says HBRC’s focus will remain on continuity and supporting its people. Mr Dolley’s experience and knowledge of the organisation will provide clarity and leadership during the transition, she says. 

HBRC’s announcement said the Council’s Chief Executive Employment and Review Committee (consisting of Siers, Deputy Chair Jerf van Beek and Councillor Thompson Hokianga) is “working quickly on more permanent arrangements for the future”.

Given that regional councils across New Zealand are slated to expire in 2028, ‘turn out the lights’ roles might be tough to fill.