Ngā Tira Whakahaere

Our Management Team

Gisborne District Council's elected Council has one employee, the Chief Executive, Nedine Thatcher Swann who is responsible for implementing and managing Council’s policies and objectives within the budgetary constraints established by the Council.

Council's leadership team is referred to as the Central Organising Rōpū (COR). As a unitary authority, both territorial and regional council, we have around 300 staff who provide advice to the Council to make decisions and carry out the day-to-day operations of the activities.

Nedine Thatcher Swann
Nedine Thatcher Swann

Chief Executive

Nedine Thatcher Swann

The Chief Executive is supported by 6 directors and a Chief Financial Officer, whose hubs reflect the range of activities that Council undertakes in order to contribute to the social, cultural, environmental and economic outcomes of our communities.

David Wilson
David Wilson

Director Community Lifelines

David Wilson

Phone: DDI (06) 869 2356
Email: David.Wilson@gdc.govt.nz

  • Roads
  • 4 Waters - drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, land, rivers and coastal
  • Solid Waste
  • Civil Defence Emergency Management
  • Building Consents
  • Harbourmaster
James Baty
James Baty

Director Internal Partnerships

James Baty

Phone: DDI (06) 869 2881
Email: James.Baty@gdc.govt.nz

  • People and Capability
  • Health & Safety
  • Democracy and Support Services
  • Legal Services
  • Information Services
  • Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement
Pauline Foreman
Pauline Foreman

Chief Financial Officer - Finance & Affordability

Pauline Foreman

Phone DDI (06) 869 2899 
Email: Pauline.Foreman@gdc.govt.nz

  • Finance
  • Revenue
  • Planning and Performance
  • Internal Audit
  • Risk Support
Anita Reedy-Holthausen
Anita Reedy-Holthausen

Director Engagement and Maori Responsiveness

Anita Reedy-Holthausen

Phone: DDI (06) 869 2647
Email: Anita.Reedy-Holthausen@gdc.govt.nz

  • Te Kai Arataki Tuia Whakapakari
  • Customer Service
  • Communication and Engagement
  • Culture and Development
  • Funding
Michele Frey
Michele Frey

Liveable Communities

Michele Frey

Phone: (06) 867 2049
Email:  Michele.Frey@gdc.govt.nz

  • Catchments and Biodiversity
  • Liveable Spaces - aquatic, amenity and horticulture, cemeteries
  • Community Assets and Resources
  • Community Projects
Joanna Noble
Joanna Noble

Chief of Strategy and Science

Joanna Noble

Phone: (06) 869 2720
Email:  Joanna.Noble@gdc.govt.nz

  • Strategic Planning
  • Environmental Monitoring and Science
  • Climate Change Response
  • Water Security
  • Resource consents