The Napier City Council is advertising its chief executive's job but it doesn't signal a resignation.
Napier mayor Bill Dalton said the council was required to advertise the job at the end of current CE Wayne Jack's term.
It is understood the Local Government Act requires the position to come up for appointment in a five-yearly cycle.
When asked, Mr Dalton said Mr Jack "has not announced an intention to resign and its my understanding, I haven't seen it yet but it's my understanding that he's put an application in for the job".
Mr Jack stepped into the role in September 2013, replacing Neil Taylor.