Before joining the council he worked as an adviser for a range of councils across the country, and held the role of director of strategy at Wellington City Council.
Kapiti mayor K Gurunathan was confident Mr Maxwell was a "great fit for the council and Kapiti community".
"We carried out a robust, thorough recruitment process and we're delighted to be able to appoint Wayne to the position.
"He has a proven track record of leading and managing in changing and challenging environments.
"Local government is a complex business and we needed to choose someone who can promote growth within the realities of our financial constraints.
"All four candidates were of high calibre, with a broad range of experience in senior roles here in New Zealand and overseas.
"A member of the council's senior management team for the last four years, Wayne is an experienced, respected manager with a great knowledge of the wide range of council activities and services, and has demonstrated what he can deliver for this community and the council."
Mr Maxwell was delighted to be appointed and looked forward to building new relationships within the community he calls home.
"I'm honoured the mayor and councillors have put faith in me to build on the direction this council and community is heading in.
"We have some challenges to work through, but I'm confident that strong relationships with stakeholders and our community, and good policies and plans will help us deliver the outcomes that are so important for the Kapiti district.
"I love Kapiti and my family and I are well established here, so I'm honoured to be able to take on this role within a community that has such an exciting future."
