"I am very proud of my staff, the quality of our organisation and what it has achieved in my time here.
"But after nearly a decade in the role, the attraction of new challenges had become increasingly difficult to ignore.
"Taking on the role at Nelson City Council presents some exciting new opportunities for me.
"It's a unitary council, with the responsibilities of both a city and regional council, and the team there is working on a number of significant and innovative projects that I would like to be involved with.
"Another attraction is that it is a city my wife Leigh and I lived in for 22 years so we'll be returning to a community that we know very well."
Mr Dougherty said Kapiti had seen a lot of change during his time in the district, with more to come as the opportunities brought about by the new expressway, and the ongoing impacts of climate change, became clearer.
Kapiti Mayor K Gurunathan reflected on some of the council's significant achievements under Mr Dougherty's leadership.
"The legacy of Pat's tireless advocacy for our district's interests throughout the process of planning and building the expressway will be visible in Kapiti for many years to come.
"Under his watch the council also rebuilt the civic building into something we can all be proud of, delivered an award-winning new aquatic centre, purchased land at Otaraua Park for recreational space for future generations and secured the long term supply of water for the district.
"Being a local government chief executive must be one of the toughest jobs around and over nine years Pat has weathered a few storms.
"One aspect of Pat's character that I have always appreciated is that no matter whether you agree or disagree with Pat, you always know where he stands and you can be confident that he will be open and honest in his dealings with you."
