"Mr Bastion brings extensive management and leadership expertise to the table to complement the current skill base within council.
"(He) is looking forward to being part of a proactive council and being involved in executing the long-term plans for the region along with the other regional stakeholders.
He wants to build strong relations across all aspects of council's remits and work together for the betterment of the district."
In February last year, Mr Bastion was briefly appointed as a director to the board of the council holding company, Westland Holdings Ltd.
However, that was terminated in November by the incoming council, which reversed a decision to wind up the parent company; that is still under way.
His start date at the council is some way off while he works out his notice period with the dairy company.
Acting chief executive Robin Reeves said earlier this week that he would be staying on longer.
The contract of former chief executive Tanya Winter, who resigned in April after lodging a personal grievance against the council when it decided not to renew her five-year contract, was not due to expire until next month.
Ms Winter has since returned to Otago and has taken up a role as director of policy, planning and resource management at the Otago Regional Council.
Of the top three applicants interviewed by councillors, Mr Bastion was the only one from the West Coast.
- Hokitika Guardian
