Gisborne District Council is a unitary authority, combining both territorial and regional council responsibilities. The elected Council has one employee - the Chief Executive, Nedine Thatcher Swann - who is responsible for implementing Council policies and objectives within the approved budget.
Council's leadership team, Te Ranga Whakahau, guides the organisation and leads 508 staff across 6 hubs. These teams manage daily operations and provide a range of activities that contribute to the social, cultural, environmental and economic wellbeing of our communities.

Chief Executive
Nedine Thatcher Swann
The Chief Executive is supported by 5 directors and a Chief Financial Officer.
Emergency Management function reports directly to the Office of the Chief Executive.

Chief Financial Officer - Finance & Affordability
Pauline Foreman
Email: Pauline.Foreman@gdc.govt.nz
- Finance
- Revenue
- Planning & Performance
- Internal Audit
- Risk Management
- Funding
- Asset Vehicle and Plant
- Commercial

Director Community Lifelines
Tim Barry
Email: Tim.Barry@gdc.govt.nz
- Local Roads - Infrastructure and Operations
- DrainWise
- Drinking Water
- Wastewater
- Stormwater
- Flood Protection
- Recovery - Infrastructure
- Harbourmaster

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

Director Engagement and Māori Partnerships
Anita Reedy-Holthausen
Email: Anita.Reedy-Holthausen@gdc.govt.nz
- Māori Partnerships Te Kai Arataki Tuia Whakapakari
- Customer Service
- Communication and Engagement
- Culture and Development
- Townships
- Democracy and Support Services

Director Liveable Communities
Michele Frey
Email: Michele.Frey@gdc.govt.nz
- Liveable Spaces - Aquatic, Amenity
- Community Assets & Resources
- Community Projects
- Catchments and Biosecurity
- Cultural Activities - Library and Theatres
- Regional Biodiversity
- Solid Waste

Director Sustainable Futures
Jocelyne Allen
Email: Jocelyne.Allen@gdc.govt.nz
- Strategic Planning
- Environmental Monitoring and Science
- Resource Consents
- Building Services
- Tairāwhiti Resource Management Plan
- Climate Change Response
- Recovery (FOSAL)