Confusion over role of chief executive

Rodger Kerr-Newell signed letters as the CEO of the Auckland Transition Agency.

The agency designing Auckland's Super City is having trouble deciding who is running the show.

Rodney District Council chief executive Rodger Kerr-Newell was seconded to the Auckland Transition Agency to be the chief executive - and signed letters to that effect.

But chairman Mark Ford has decided on a day-to-day executive role and given Mr Kerr-Newell the new title of "senior adviser".

Both men have strong personalities and there are rumours of a falling out.

Mr Ford, who was chief executive of bulk water supplier Watercare Services before heading the agency, has an effective but no-nonsense management style.

Mr Kerr-Newell has been described as "extremely self-motivated, a good change manager, but hugely egocentric" by former Hutt City Mayor Glen Evans.

He was chief executive at Hutt City Council and New Plymouth District Council before moving north last year to run Rodney District Council.

Neither Mr Ford nor Mr Kerr-Newell returned calls yesterday, but the agency issued a statement saying Mr Kerr-Newell had been acting chief executive during the early stages but was now senior adviser.

"It was always the intention that, over time, the executive chairman (Mr Ford) who not only chairs the board but is also the agency's most senior executive, would assume the responsibilities of the chief executive as described in the act."

The Local Government (Auckland Reorganisation) Act said the agency "must appoint a chief executive" to provide advice to the board and employ staff, among other things.

Rodney Mayor Penny Webster said Mr Kerr-Newell was seconded to be the chief executive of the agency and believed that was the job he was doing.

"If he is not the chief executive then presumably he will come back to us."