Who got that job?

By LIANE VOISEY

Were you one of 35 people who applied for this job and wondered who got it?

Job title: Chief executive, Whakatane District Council

David Christison readily admits he has a sensitive nose for baloney. "I'm sure that it won't be long before you hear me say, 'Don't tell me, show me'," he has told staff.

There's no doubt this "results-focused" chief executive will get things done. He says he "can certainly be rather forceful" in making sure a decision is acted upon.

Born and raised in Essex, England, straight-talking Christison left City University in London with an honours degree in civil engineering and began working on an open cast coal mining contract in Scotland.

He came to New Zealand 21 years ago, initially to work as a mine manager, but his career moved into local government soon after, when Pukekohe Borough Council offered him the position of borough engineer.

Christison, 49, then moved into senior managerial roles in district councils.

Before his present role, Christison was chief executive at Rangitikei District Council for four years.

His reorganisation of the council resulted in a significant reduction in staff numbers and equally significant improvement in performance, he says. He also sold under-used assets to considerably strengthen the council's financial position.

The sale of the Bonny Glen Landfill, he says, reduced operating costs and attracted a major new business to the district. .

After 15 years in local government Christison knows the sector well. But he also believes his solid background in the private sector lets him apply sound business principles to council business.

Attracted by an opportunity in a "larger, more vibrant and more progressive council", Christison says the new Local Government Act will present major challenges, but says he's looking forward to dealing with "the challenges of growth as opposed to the challenges of decline".

The married father of three thinks Whakatane is a great place to live and hopes to continue developing his career in local government.