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 Te Ranga Whakahau. 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 5 directors and our 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.
These functions report directly to the Office of the Chief Executive:
- Civil Defence and Emergency Management
- Harbourmaster
Acting Director Community Lifelines
Dave Hadfield
Email: Dave.Hadfield@gdc.govt.nz
- Journeys - road infrastructure and operations
- 4 Waters - drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, land, rivers and coastal

Director Internal Partnerships and Protection
James Baty
Email: James.Baty@gdc.govt.nz
- People and Capability
- Health & Safety
- Legal Services
- Information Services
- Business Intelligence
- Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement

Chief Financial Officer - Finance & Affordability
Pauline Foreman
Email: Pauline.Foreman@gdc.govt.nz
- Finance
- Revenue
- Risk & Performance
- Asset Management and Commercial

Director Engagement and Māori Partnerships
Anita Reedy-Holthausen
Email: Anita.Reedy-Holthausen@gdc.govt.nz
- Māori Responsiveness
- Customer Experience
- Communication and Engagement
- Recovery
- Culture and Development
- Democracy and Support

Director Liveable Communities
Michele Frey
Email: Michele.Frey@gdc.govt.nz
- Integrated Catchments
- Liveable Spaces - aquatic, amenity and horticulture, cemeteries
- Community Projects
- Cultural Activities
- Aquatic Services
- Solid Waste

Director Sustainable Futures
Joanna Noble
Email: Joanna.Noble@gdc.govt.nz
- Strategic Planning
- Environmental Monitoring and Science
- Consents
- Building Services