The Whakatāne District Council's Executive team is led by Chief Executive Steph O'Sullivan and consists of seven General Managers, each with their own area of responsibility.
Steph O'Sullivan
Chief Executive
Email: Steph.OSullivan@whakatane.govt.nz
Steph O'Sullivan says the Whakatāne District's climate, relaxed lifestyle, natural assets and strong cultural heritage and history provide a wonderful context to work within. She believes the district is poised for strong growth, post-settlement iwi investment, and will also benefit from the 'halo effect' of economic development opportunities in the wider Eastern Bay of Plenty.
"These are exciting times and it's a privilege to be able to play a leadership role in shaping and facilitating the opportunities before us," she says.
Before joining the Council in late-2018, Steph worked as BoP Senior Advisor for the Government's Provincial Growth Fund, and previously served as a Treaty Settlement Negotiator for Raukawa iwi in the Waikato, and CEO of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Ranginui. Stephanie also held numerous governance roles, including the Waikato River Authority, Tauranga People's Project and Chairing the Advisory Board for the University of Waikato Adams High Performance Centre.
"My background has given me valuable insight into the challenges, opportunities and partnership potential between local and central government, iwi, the private sector and the community. I'm fortunate to have had leadership roles in pre- and post-settlement iwi entities, and to have championed environmentally sustainable community and economic development. That gives me the ability to place myself in others' shoes and I believe that will be tremendously helpful as the Council works to meet its challenges over the next 5-10 years."
Steph describes herself as a "tangata tiriti New Zealander" - a person of non-Māori origin, whose forbears came here to enjoy the opportunities Aotearoa presents - and says she has been privileged to be immersed in the world of tangata whenua for more than 20 years. "I've lived a life of cultural richness, and have had the opportunity to walk in two worlds. I feel a real connection to the Whakatāne District and enjoy playing my part in bringing the Council's vision to life."
Bevan Gray
General Manager Infrastructure
Email: Bevan.Gray@whakatane.govt.nz
Bevan is passionate about making a tangible difference to people's lives. "I firmly believe that there is no other organisation in the world that touches on so many aspects of someone's existence as the local council, whether it's providing running water, ensuring our buildings, homes, and food premises are safe, or having recreational facilities that give our communities enjoyment and balance." Bevan knows that working for a Council allows him to make a positive contribution to how people go about their daily lives. "My job is always exciting, always challenging, and most importantly, always rewarding," he says. "I'm passionate about seeing whanau, hapū and iwi achieve their aspirations, and acknowledge their role as kaitiaki of the whenua."
As a people leader, Bevan is invested in seeing his team learn and develop so that the organisation can continually improve. "I lead with my heart and the best interests of both my staff and our communities in mind."
Bevan has over a decade of experience in local government; his most recent role being with Ōpōtiki District Council. "I have a finance degree and a wealth of experience with Big 4 accounting firm PWC, and a long farming background which has helped to shape my logical problem-solving mind, and a willingness to get my hands dirty.
"I believe my role here is to help our organisation and communities realise their aspirations by providing the infrastructure they need, in the most affordable and appropriate manner. We have a number of opportunities in front of us to help shape the outcome of current reforms programmes, so that our communities benefit no matter what central government decides to do with the services that we provide.
The Infrastructure portfolio includes management of Council’s Three Waters - Drinking water, storm water and waste water; Transportation, and Solid Waste management.
Bevan is married with three school-aged children, two boys and a girl, who are very happy and active children with their own unique interests in various sports. From soccer, to rugby, to basketball, netball, swimming and skateboarding.
Bevan is happiest when in or near the water. He loves to fish, dive, surf, and just be near the sea. Ko ahau te moana, ko te moana ahau.
David Bewley
General Manager Development and Environment
Email: David.Bewley@whakatane.govt.nz
While much has changed since David Bewley joined Whakatāne District Council in 1988, it is the challenges and diverse nature of the work that keeps working for local government more interesting than ever. "The organisation has grown over the years and we now tackle more complex issues such as climate change, environmental issues and the housing crisis," he says. "We're recognising the benefit of working in partnership with other agencies, and especially whānau, hapū and iwi."
"Strong relationships and partnerships benefit us all".
The Development and Environment Services portfolio focusses on community safety through regulation and planning, and includes processing resource and building consents, verification and inspections of food premises and other environmental health issues, processing liquor licences, undertaking animal control, parking and bylaws enforcement and hazardous substances control. It also includes spatial and land use planning to provide for future growth and to achieve environmental outcomes, and emergency management.
David's portfolio includes management of Council's Policy, Planning and Consents Compliance, Building and Monitoring, Resource Consents, Community Regulation and Emergency Management.
In his spare time, David enjoys fishing, pottering in the workshop and watching sport.
Emlyn Hatch
General Manager People & Engagement
Email: Emlyn.Hatch@whakatane.govt.nz
"In work, as in life, if you put people at the heart of everything you do, you simply cannot go wrong." This is what has guided Emlyn from a career in Wales and transport planning to settling in New Zealand in a dream location and a role surrounded by passionate and committed people.
Emlyn joined Whakatāne District Council in October 2019, having previously worked in the transport field of local government in Wales, before moving to New Zealand with his family in 2006. He has since held senior roles at Tauranga City Council and the Bay of Plenty Regional Council / Toi Moana. He has served as a trustee in the arts community and is currently a trustee of TEDx Tauranga.
"I love local government. It gives you a unique opportunity to work with communities, rather than just doing things for communities. Whakatāne District is full of people that have a story and a unique connection to the district. Whakatāne even got its name from a story!"
"An important part of my role is hearing from as many people as possible. Finding out what challenges and opportunities they have and working with them to realise those opportunities."
Emlyn's portfolio includes management of Council's Governance, Customer Services, Community Development, Communications and Engagement, and People and Capability teams.
Emlyn is married to Rachel and has four children. He is happiest when in the sea.
Georgina Fletcher
General Manager Community Experience
Email: Georgina.Fletcher@whakatane.govt.nz
"I love living in the Eastern Bay of Plenty. We're blessed with beautiful beaches, native reserves on our doorstep, rich culture and plenty of sunshine."
Before joining Council in 2013, Georgina trained and then worked as a Commercial Property Lawyer in New Zealand and in London. "I also enjoyed some time in Tanzania doing volunteer work, and climbing to the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro is a life highlight."
"I'm passionate about making a difference in our rohe, and reducing inequities and enabling our communities to experience and enjoy our facilities." Georgina knows the opportunities for change within the Community Experience portfolio are many. "Whether it be through providing improved sporting facilities in our rural communities, offering continuous education opportunities or connecting people with taonga at our museum," she says. "In addition, there is huge opportunity to partner with whānau, hapū and iwi and community groups to make a difference."
"I believe the Community Experience portfolio will continue to grow and improve as there is a desire from our communities for facilities and programmes that support our health and wellbeing. Our challenge will be to keep pace and make improvements that align with our values, and everything we love about the Whakatāne District."
The Community Experience portfolio sees Georgina lead the teams responsible for Arts & Culture (including our libraries, galleries and our museum); Parks, Reserves, Cemeteries and Campgrounds; Sport and Recreation including our swimming pools and Council Properties and Facilities.
Georgina and her husband moved here for two years, and have now been here for 11! "It's the perfect place to bring up our three children with the help of a large village of friends."
When she's not working, you'll most likely find Georgina with family and friends at the beach or on the side-lines cheering her children on, and occasionally swinging a racket at the tennis club or walking on one of our great tracks.
Paul Warbrick
Kaihautū - Strategic Māori Partnerships
Email: paul.warbrick@whakatane.govt.nz
Paul is passionate about making connections and equipping people with opportunities to build mutual understanding. "I know that the foundation for progress is strong relationships and I enjoy the challenges and opportunities that come from making connections and strengthening these over time."
Paul began in the newly-established role of Kaihautū - Strategic Māori Partnerships in April 2021. In taking this role, Paul returned home after working predominantly in Rotorua in recent years where he worked in Operations and Māori Relationship Roles in the Central North Island for Te Papa Atawhai (DOC).
Paul grew up here in Whakatāne and has whakapapa to Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Rangitihi and Tūwharetoa ki Kawerau. "I was drawn to this role by my passion to serve whanau, hapū and iwi and to develop credible relationships that benefit all, and progress Treaty Partnerships."
Paul has been involved in the successful delivery of organisational cultural competency programmes and recognised for his ability to explore innovative solutions to complex situations.
Paul is married with two teenage children who enjoy putting in the hard mahi on the sports field, with strong support from their Dad on the sideline.
Gary Connolly
Chief Financial Officer & General Manager Business Partnering
Email: Gary.Connolly@whakatane.govt.nz
Gary joined Whakatāne District Council in June 2022, bringing with him a passion for working collaboratively to build resilient, thriving and healthy communities. "There's no point turning up and offering solutions no matter how much you think you understand an issue. You'll always get a better outcome if you take people on the journey by listening, learning and delivering together."
Gary grew up in Ngaruawahia, a small community in the North Waikato, where up until last year his parents still lived in the house he'd grown up in more than 50 years earlier. “I often reflect on my experience of growing up in a small local community in my decision-making, even when working in national and global roles.” This focus proved extremely successful for Gary in the seven years he spent as CFO of Hato Hone St John before joining Whakatāne District Council.
At St John, Gary's work saw him working alongside government to achieve significant historic increases in contribution to the sustainability of essential ambulance services delivered by St John. His work also saw him helping increase other revenue streams that enabled the growth of charitable community volunteer programmes such as free shuttle services and school programmes to build health and wellbeing knowledge for tamariki. "This progress was underpinned by local engagement, and it's key that I continue that now within the Whakatāne rohe."
Prior to Hate Hone St John, Gary had 15 years' experience in senior finance roles with a number of multi-national commercial businesses based both overseas and in Aotearoa. This followed his study and obtaining his Chartered Accounting qualification working for a local firm in Hamilton. "Finance is an amazingly transferable skill-set where you can move between diverse organisations and learn new aspects from each," says Gary. "But the fundamentals remain the same - we want to ensure transactions are processed and accounted for as efficiently as possible, and with a focus on the user experience we deliver. Additionally we need to understand the information we have access to, not just to meet compliance reporting, but to increase transparency and decision-making for stakeholders."
"I'm really excited to bring what skills I have to the amazing team at Whakatāne District Council, and working to ensure the people in our communities thrive."
Steven Perdia
General Manager of Strategy & Transformation
Email: Steven.Perdia@whakatane.govt.nz
Steven is a believer in lifelong learning. "Every experience is a learning opportunity and it's better looking forward when it’s with the benefit of what we have learned from the past.”
Steven joined Whakatāne District Council in July 2021, having come from Porirua City Council where he was the General Manager - Partnerships & Growth. Prior to that, Steven was working with the Ministry of Education as the lead negotiator for the closure of the Charter Schools programme. Steven spent six years in post-quake Christchurch leading the economic recovery engagement and strategy. "During this period I really enjoyed being on the Christchurch Red Zone Regeneration Advisory Board, which developed the Red Zone Regeneration Plan, and spending several years on Treasury's Living Standards Committee and the Canterbury University Economics and Law Advisory Group."
Steven has an honours degree in Economics and Strategic Management from Waikato University. He also has a Post Graduate Diploma in Health Management from Auckland Medical School, and property sales, leasing and management qualifications from Australia.
Steven's role here is to oversee Corporate Planning, Reporting, Strategy & Policy, Bylaws, Economic Development, Tourism and Events, Strategic Property and change projects.
Steven is a keen musician who has played in bands throughout the years and enjoys listening to his collection of 500+ vinyl records. He also likes football (with a round ball), collecting things, building projects and has a Chihuahua.
"I grew up in Hamilton and my whakapapa is Croatian. Recently I've worked in Wellington, Christchurch, Sydney and even Antarctica. However, my wife and I have owned a section in the Bay of Plenty for over 10 years and have finally decided to build on it and make our home in the sunny Bay."