Auckland Council chief executive Stephen Town quits job earlier than expected

Monday, 3 February 2020

Auckland Council chief executive Stephen Town plans to leave his job several months before his contract is due to end in December.

Town confirmed he had spoken to Auckland mayor Phil Goff and councillors on Monday to inform them of his plans to leave.

'I plan to leave a few months earlier than I had anticipated,' Town said.

'More details will be released on Tuesday.'

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Town had previously been reappointed as CEO through to the end of 2020.

He is the council's second chief executive since the super city was created in 2010.

The inaugural chief executive, private sector import Doug McKay, served three years in the post, with his initial 18-month term extended at the council's request.

Town picked up a 1.16 per cent pay rise in the lengthy re-appointment process, taking his wage to $698,000.

Heading up a staff of 7,220, Town's role is the biggest in local government.

The search for his successor was due to begin in mid-2020.