Leading scientist takes over top job at Environment Canterbury

Monday, 10 August 2020

Former science director Dr Stefanie Rixecker has taken over as the new chief executive of Environment Canterbury.

Environment Canterbury (ECan) has promoted director of science Dr Stefanie Rixecker to be the organisation’s new chief executive.

Rixecker, who has been in her role since 2016 and is the current acting chief executive, will take up the position next week after the regional council approved her appointment on Friday.

She takes over from Bill Bayfield, who left ECan in May to lead the Government’s new water regulator, Taumata Arowai.

Rixecker, whose appointment was delayed by the coronavirus lockdown, will hold the position for five years.

Former ECan boss Bill Bayfield left in May to head up the government’s new water regulator.

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During her time at ECan she has led the science team, the freshwater portfolio and the climate change integration programme.

Prior to working at the regional council she spent more than 20 years in the tertiary sector, including stints in the assistant and deputy vice-chancellor roles at Lincoln University.

Rixecker has also held more than a dozen governance roles and has a PhD in public policy and public administration.

She is a former chair of Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand’s governance team, and in 2010 was honoured for her services to human rights.

ECan chair Jenny Hughey said Rixecker’s background in academia, environmental science and government relations meant the organisation had an “excellent all-rounder”.

Rixecker’s salary is yet to be disclosed but Bayfield, who joined the regional council in 2011 in the wake of the Canterbury earthquakes, earned $417,731 for the 2018-19 financial year.