Executive Team

The South Waikato District Council is managed by Chief Executive Ben Smit. The CE is supported by an Executive Team. The team consists of four Group Managers - Assets, Community, Regulatory and Strategy and Risk. Included in the Executive Team is also the Chief Financial Officer, Human Resources Manager and Communications Manager.

Members of the Executive Team can be contacted via the Council Contacts page.

Ben Smit is our Chief Executive is responsible for the overall management of the Council and leads the Executive Team. The team works together with Elected Member to form a strategic direction that supports and develops our communities.

Ted Anderson is our Group Manager Assets. He is responsible for infrastructure (including roads, three waters, solid waste and development engineering), parks and reserves, property, projects and work programmes and asset compliance.

Heather Gaby is our Acting Group Manager Community. She is responsible for community services, support and engagement, leisure services (including pools, libraries and the South Waikato Sport and Events Centre), economic development and marketing, and the Putāruru Service Centre.

Sharon Robinson is our Group Manager Regulatory . She is responsible for building consents and compliance , planning and resource consents, environmental health and liquor licensing, animal control and compliance and civil defence and emergency management.

The role of Strategy and Risk Group Manager is currently vacant. This role is responsible for strategic planning, infrastructure strategy, information services and quality and risk.

Fiona Ferrar is the Chief Financial Officer . She is responsible for finance, revenue, rates, the Annual Report and budget preparation and management.

Christine Beach is the Human Resources Manager . She is responsible for payroll, recruitment, staff and union relations, staff policies, training and staff performance and development processes.

Kerry Fabrie is the Communications Manager. She is responsible for media management, corporate communications, internal communication and public relations.

The Executive Team is supported by the Executive Support Team, led by Team Leader Executive Support Jacki Parr.