Our Team
Information about Councils vision, community outcomes and the teams and people working to make them happen.
Working for the future of Kaikōura
Under the Three Year Plan 2018-2021, Council adopted the vision of 'helping Kaikōura District move forward as a great place to live with a strong, well-connected community, that is ecologically exemplary and economically prosperous.'
Council has approximately 46 full time equivalent staff, filling 53 different roles. 8 of these roles are funded through grants or external funders.
All Council's work over 2018-2021 contributes to one or more of the outcomes shown of the left. We are working hard to become an effective, modern Council. This means actively planning to tackle the districts long standing issues, improving the quality of the services Council provides, improving the quality of life for those who live here and taking a forward looking approach to incorporating the four wellbeing’s into our work.
Download a diagram showing how everyone fits together.
CEO and Support
The CEO, Executive Officer and Communications and Engagement team, HR, Health Safety and Wellbeing. Together, they connect a lot of the nuts and bolts of what goes on at Council.
Who I am: Before joining KDC, I was the Manager: Corporate Services at the Buller District Council. I have over 7 years experience in local government in NZ preparing and engaging with the community. I also holds a Masters in Business Leadership and a Bachelor of Commerce combined with both public and private sector experience.
I am originally from South Africa and am married with one daughter.
Why I'm here: I joined Kaikōura District Council on 1st February 2016. I moved to Kaikōura for a change, for the lifestyle, the weather and the environment as well as the chance to make a difference and help the district grow and develop to meet new challenges.
What I can help you with: Big picture stuff, where Council is going, what we are and aren't working on, how we work with the Community and the Councillors to help grow and develop our District to be all it can be.
How to contact me:
Phone: 03 319 5026
Email: Angela@kaikoura.govt.nz
Who I am: I moved to Kaikōura in April 2017 and joined KDC on secondment from the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management.
Why I'm here: I had wanted to move to Kaikōura since visiting in 2014 and jumped at the chance to join the team at Council. With a background in social marketing and crisis communication, I am new to local government and very much enjoying the challenge.
What I can help you with: Anything to do with information on our Facebook, Website, Newsletters, or in the Newspapers, help with sharing or promoting local information, events and stories. Help connecting community groups or members with the work going on at Council and vice versa.
How to contact me:
Phone: 027 562 6669
Email: Libby@kaikoura.govt.nz
LinkedIn: Libby Clifford
Phone: 027 571 3525
Email: kate.finnerty@kaikoura.govt.nz
Community Services and Community Development
Connecting and supporting our community through youth coordination, event coordination, our Library, community development, Pensioner Housing, Violence Free coordination, Council front desk team and our Emergency Management Officer.
Who I am: I moved to Kaikōura with Stephen and my family of 3 boys to occupy 35 acres of paradise north of Kaikōura in 2004. I worked at the Council from 2007-2014.
Why I'm here: I was brought back to support the social recovery effort 3 weeks after the earthquake. I really enjoy supporting the team and the community.
What I can help you with: Anything to do with community support. If I can't help, I can find someone who can.
How to contact me:
Phone: 021 962 579
Email: susi@kaikoura.govt.nz
Who I am:
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How to contact me:
Phone: (03) 319 5026 ext 284 or 027 467 7579
Email: murray.dickson@kaikoura.govt.nz
Asset Management
The team responsible for the maintenance and management of Council owned assets including roads, streetlights, footpaths, three waters, parks and recreation, airport and the harbour.
Who I am:
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How to contact me:
Phone: 027 262 2224
Email: dave.clibbery@kaikoura.govt.nz
Who I am:
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How to contact me:
Phone:
Email: mike.russell@kaikoura.govt.nz
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How to contact me:
Phone: 027 406 4727
Email: sam.murphy@kaikoura.govt.nz
Building and Regulatory
Helping our community run smoothly through animal control, liquor licencing, environmental health and all things building including consents, planning and inspections.
Who I am: I am a Dad to three lovely girls. I recently moved to Kaikōura to assist in the rebuild and recovery of this fine community.
Why I'm here: I am here to enjoy the fishing that Kaikōura has to offer.
What I can help you with: Any building or regulatory matters that you may be faced with.
How to contact me:
Phone: 03 319 5026 ext. 216
Who I am: I am married with four children and have been working in the building industry for 15 years.
Why I'm here: I moved here to enjoy the diving, fishing & hunting Kaikōura has to offer.
What I can help you with: I am here to help you with any building control/inspection matters you may have. I process and inspect building work on behalf of Council.
How to contact me:
Phone: 03 319 5026 ext. 210
Who I am: I moved here in August 2018 with my partner and two fur babies to enjoy the quieter lifestyle, beautiful scenery and everything else in between!
Why I'm here: Kaikōura has always been on the cards for us to relocate to, so when we had the opportunity, it was an easy decision.
What I can help you with: Any building regulatory administrative questions or queries.
How to contact me:
Phone: 03 319 5026 ext. 202
Email: Ella.Turner@kaikoura.govt.nz
Who I am: I am a mother of two kids and a handful of dogs! I am also partner to a keen hunter and have been welcomed with open arms into this lovely community.
Why I'm here: After living in huge suburbs of Australia I am here to enjoy the quieter life Kaikōura has to offer.
What I can help you with: Anything to do with Building and Regulatory services and if I can’t help, I can find someone who can.
How to contact me:
Phone: 03 319 5026 ext. 205
Email: Rebecca.Harding@kaikoura.govt.nz
Finance and Commercial
The team managing Council's financial performance and business processes including Economic Recovery, contracts, rates and revenues, claims, accounts payable and receivable
Who I am: I have a masters degree in public sector management, and a passion for local government, with over 21 years experience in the sector. I am a wife, a mum, a volunteer trustee with the Huttons Shearwater Charitable Trust, and have lived in Kaikōura since 1996.
Why I'm here: Kaikōura is such a stunning place, I can’t imagine living anywhere else. I love the people, the environment, and the relaxed lifestyle. Working at the Council means I am at the hub of the community and can really help make things happen.
What I can help you with: I’m responsible for financial reports, annual plan, budgets, rates policies, financial and corporate planning.
How to contact me:
Phone: 03 319 5026 ext. 203
Strategy Policy and Planning
It's all about having a plan, these guys cover resource consents, the District and Long Term Plans and look after all the rules and regulations governing what people can and can't build and do in our District.
Why I'm here: To help support our community with development of planning policy and use of local knowledge to assist with processing of resource consents.
What I can help you with: Plan changes and significant policy decisions for our community.
How to contact me: Best to make an appointment at the front desk.
Rebuild Programme
The people coordinating the work to restore Council owned infrastructure and community facilities.
We have a small rebuild team consisting of the rebuild director, project manager and contract administrator. All contracts for these roles are fixed term until 2020. The Rebuild Director role is currently being filled by interim cover provided by the professional services consultants’ panel while someone with the right skill set is recruited for the next phase of the programme.
Who I am: I'm making the move back to the mainland having spent the past two years leading the Northland Transportation Alliance. Before that I headed up the infrastructure teams at both the Tasman District and Waitaki District Councils. I've also had experience of emergency events and recovery works in local government.
Why I'm here: It's an important time to be part of the team that's building a new resilient future for Kaikōura. My wife and I are really looking forward to becoming part of your community and living in your beautiful district. We'll be getting out to explore by foot, wheels and on the water. I'll also be closer to family around the South Island including my mother, my sister and two of my adult children.
What I can help you with: Any work that involves the infrastructure rebuild programme from the 2016 earthquake on local roads, bridges, wastewater, stormwater or the Council’s water supply.
How to contact me:
Phone: 03 319 5026 ext. 269
Who I am: Born and bred in France, I have been living and working in Canada, Australia and New Zealand since 2011. I am a NZ resident and have now put my luggage down. My past roles include Safety Engineer, Consultant in Strategic and Business Development, and Project Coordinator and Project Manager in the construction and industrial sectors.
Why I'm here: My objectives this year are to learn surfing, spearfishing, hunting, and start working towards a private pilot license.
What I can help you with: I help keep the Rebuild Programme Director and Asset Manager focused on delivering the rebuild programme. I know all 83 projects inside out and am the go to guy for all the details about whats happening when.
How to contact me:
Phone: 027 571 7399 or 03 319 5026 ext. 217
Who I am:
Why I'm here:
What I can help you with:
How to contact me:
Phone: 03 319-5026 ext. 215
Understanding Council
New Zealand’s regional, district, city or unitary councils are all part of New Zealand's local government. Local government manages issues that are specific to local communities including roads, drinking water, rubbish and recycling, natural hazards, libraries and events.
Read more about local government and Councils including: what powers they have, how they are formed, how they make decisions and how you can participate by reading the factsheet below.
