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.

Gordon Naidoo is our Group Manager Community and Corporate. He is responsible for community services, libraries, community support and engagement, the Putāruru Service Centre, strategic planning, infrastructure strategy, information services and quality and risk.

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.

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.

Paul Bowden is our Economic Development Manager. He is responsible for economic development including our business promotion website; and district marketing and promotion.

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