"I understand he wants a new challenge, but we're very sorry to lose him."
It was pleasing that Far North ratepayers and residents would continue to benefit from Mr Nicolson's skills and expertise, especially with Far North Holdings and the regional council planning to work together for the betterment of the north. He had agreed to an orderly handover and was expected to take up his new role early next year.
Far North Holdings was now starting the process of finding a new chief executive.
Among his achievements at the helm of the company, Mr Blackman listed:
Upgrading Bay of Islands Airport to allow for passenger growth from 20,000 a year to more than 60,000;
Redeveloping Waitangi Wharf as a cruise ship tender terminal, without which the Bay of Islands wouldn't have a cruise ship industry;
Building a 230-berth marina and maritime building at Opua;
Acquiring Ashby's Boatyard at Opua and developing it as a marine services centre.
Mr Nicolson said he was proud of the positive relationships Far North Holdings had built with the Opua, Paihia and Russell communities.
"Our ability to participate in some of the visions communities have is maybe a bigger achievement than just putting a couple of buildings up ... There are times we disagree on things, but there's a constructive dialogue taking place all the time."
Mr Nicolson was born in South Africa, moving to New Zealand in 1996.
Tony Phipps has been acting chief executive at the regional council since Mr Paterson's departure.