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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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