The Whakatāne District Council's Executive team is led by the Chief Executive and consists of six General Managers, each with their own area of responsibility.
Steven Perdia
Chief Executive
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 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."
General Manager Finance and Commercial Services - Vacant
David Bewley
General Manager Planning, Regulatory and Infrastructure
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 and Partnerships
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 is married to Rachel and has four children. He is happiest when in the sea.
Alexandra Pickles
General Manager Community Experience
Email: Alexandra.Pickles@whakatane.govt.nz
Alexandra was raised on the banks of the Whanganui River and later called Tauranga home, growing up in a whānau grounded in public service. With a nurse for a mother and a social worker for a father, the values of contribution and care were instilled early and continue to shape her work today.
Alexandra began her communications career with the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, joining Whakatāne District Council in 2013. She led the Communications and Engagement team from 2019 and became General Manager Community Experience in late 2024.
Passionate about the role of local government as a connector and enabler, Alexandra believes that when we invest in developing people and relationships, communities are stronger for it.
"The Community Experience portfolio gets to shape the everyday moments that bring meaning; whether it's a swim at the pools, a browse at the library, a play at the park or farewelling a loved one."
As Tangata Tiriti, Alexandra sees her role as both a privilege and a responsibility to serve the people and places she calls home. Outside of work, she serves as a school board member, enjoys water-based adventures with her family, and values a good laugh with friends.
Hone Patrick
Kaihautū - Strategic Māori Partnerships
Email: Hone.Patrick@whakatane.govt.nz
Leny Woolsey
General Manager Strategy and Growth
Email: Leny.Woolsey@whakatane.govt.nz
As General Manager Strategy and Growth Leny oversees Strategy, Corporate Planning and Policy, Climate Change and Resilience, Strategic Property, Tourism and Economic Development and Project Management.
Leny moved to Aotearoa from the UK in 2009 and has lived in Whakatāne since 2018. She loves the vibrancy of the district, particularly the thriving arts culture and the many opportunities to spend time in nature. She joined Council in 2023 after 12 years of senior management at the University of Auckland Business School. Prior to her career at the University, Leny worked in major event management in the UK and Auckland. She has a particular interest in strategic leadership and governance and is a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors in NZ.
Outside work, Leny lives on a Kiwifruit Orchard near Edgecumbe and is on the Board of Awakeri School. She has two daughters and enjoys sailing, mountain biking and music.