Search begins for Super City CEO

The hunt has started to find a chief executive for the Auckland Super City.

The agency designing the Super City has invited recruitment companies to pitch for the job of finding someone to manage the most radical shake-up of local government in a generation.

Several chief executives of the existing councils are eyeing the mammoth job of controlling a $3 billion budget, $28 billion worth of assets and 6300 staff.

The chief executive will be expected to set the tone and culture of the Super City and make the model work for 1.4 million people.

The salary will be set by the Remuneration Authority. Auckland City's David Rankin, who runs the country's largest council, is paid about $450,000 and four other local chief executives earn in the region of $400,000.

Auckland Regional Council chief executive Peter Winder yesterday said he would "probably" put his hat in the ring.

"I have fully supported the changes, it is a significant opportunity, but I don't underestimate the size of the challenge and the importance of having the right person in that job to lead the new council," said Mr Winder, who has run the regional council since 2005 and is a former chief executive of Local Government New Zealand.

Mr Rankin, who has run Auckland City since July 2005, said he was "still thinking about it".

Waitakere CEO Vijaya Vaidyanath said she "might look at it with some interest", and Manukau chief executive Leigh Auton said, "I'm giving it active consideration."

North Shore chief executive John Brockies could not be reached for comment. Rodney chief executive Rodger Kerr-Newell is another who may apply.

Under the legislation that established it, the Auckland Transition Agency "must, as soon as practicable", appoint a chief executive to the Super Auckland Council for a term until June 30, 2012, at the latest.

The chief executive will be able to appoint an executive team and stamp his or her mark before the Super mayor and council are elected in October next year. But whoever gets the job will have their contract reviewed by the council midway through the first term.

The agency anticipates appointing an executive recruitment company on September 25 to begin an international search for a chief executive. The five-member agency board, headed by executive chairman Mark Ford, will make the final decision.