Auckland Council chief executive Doug McKay wants to keep running the Super City when his two-year interim contract comes up for renewal next year.
The Herald understands Mr McKay has told Mayor Len Brown and councillors about his desire to continue implementing the changeover to the largest council in Australasia with a $3 billion budget and 8000 staff.
The 56-year-old is a personable, but tough and intelligent chief executive who has built a strong working relationship with Mr Brown.
Mr McKay had 30 years' corporate experience, including senior roles at Lion Nathan, Sealord and Independent Liquor, before being appointed interim chief executive of the Super City in August last year for a fixed term to July 2012.
In that time, Mr McKay has overseen the transition from the seven former councils to a single body and found $81 million of savings to help Mr Brown achieve a rates rise of 3.9 per cent in his first year.
