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Council people
Te rōpū Kaiārahi whakahaere

Executive leadership team

The Executive Leadership Team (ELT) comprises the Chief Executive and senior managers who collectively oversee all the activities that make up NPDC’s operations.

Gareth Green

Chief Executive

Email
gareth.green@npdc.govt.nz
Phone
06 759 6060

Gareth leads the organisation which delivers great services to our residents through 16 operational units and manages assets worth $3.7 billion. Gareth has over 20 years of experience working in Local Government and was previously Chief Executive for Taupō District Council for over six years. He knows Taranaki well having worked at NPDC early in his career as a lead planner.

Jacqueline Baker

General Manager Corporate Innovation

Email
jacqueline.baker@npdc.govt.nz
Phone
06 759 6060

Jacqueline thrives on the challenge of working with the team to keep our people safe, nurtures a thriving culture, plans the org for the future while keeping rates affordable through continuous improvement in our finance, technology, strategic communications, legal and risk teams.

Bernie O'Donnell

General Manager Te Tiriti Partnerships

Email
bernie.odonnell@npdc.govt.nz
Phone
06 759 6060

Passionate about te reo Māori me ōna tikanga (language and cultural practices) and iwi partnerships, Bernie leads our Te Tiriti Relationships, Puke Ariki libraries and museum, Govett-Brewster Art Gallery and Governance teams. He is the current co-chair of te reo Māori entity Te Mātāwai and was the former Director of Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency. Bernie holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Māori Development and Business and a Masters in Business Administration. With affiliations to Te Atiawa, Ngāti Mutunga, Ngāruahine and Kai Tahu, Bernie joins NPDC from his most recent employment role as Te Poutiaki Mātauranga Māori with Uniservices Limited at the University of Auckland.

Helena Williams

General Manager Strategy and Planning

Email
helena.williams@npdc.govt.nz
Phone
06 759 6060

Helena oversees the future development and sustainability of our Sustainable Lifestyle Capital through our planning, project management, community and economic development, engagement and consents teams.

Sarah Downs

General Manager Operational Excellence

Email
sarah.downs@npdc.govt.nz
Phone
06 759 6060

Sarah oversees the delivery of water, infrastructure, property, emergency management, recycling, as well as our parks, venues and events teams. 

Kathryn Scown

Executive Advisor

Email
kathryn.scown@npdc.govt.nz
Phone
06 759 6060

As an active member of the executive leadership team, Kathryn works closely with the Chief Executive and Mayor to provide high quality advice, help shape the direction of the organisation and address issues that may arise. Kathryn has worked at NPDC for more than 20 years and is a passionate advocate for local government and the difference it can make alongside our community.

Linley O'Neill

Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive

Email
linley.oneill@npdc.govt.nz
Phone
06 759 6060

Linley provides a range of support services to the Chief Executive, the office of the Chief Executive and the Executive Leadership Team. She also provides backup to the EA to the Mayor.   

Page last updated: 12:43pm Thu 18 July 2024

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06 759 6060 enquiries@npdc.govt.nz
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84 Liardet Street
New Plymouth

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