Wellington City Council boss to step down next March

Tuesday, 30 July 2024

Barbara McKerrow is stepping back from her role heading the Wellington City Council from next March.

Wellington City Council chief executive Barbara McKerrow has confirmed she will end her job next March.

Council chief executives get a five-year term, which can be reapplied for then voted on by a full council.

That term ends in March but McKerrow had to tell the council if she planned to extend her job for two more years six months out — by September 1.

McKerrow on Tuesday confirmed she would not reapply.

McKerrow’s five years in the top job comes has had its share of controversies that has seen her make enemies of some of the same councillors that would have decided her future if she reapplied.

The final decision on selling the Wellington City Council’s airport shares is set down for Thursday, but Wednesday's meeting showed the deep personal tensions between the Labour and Green councillors.

Amid the furore about the council selling its shares in Wellington Airport and after a similarly controversial council plan to buy the land under the Reading cinema complex on Courtenay Place, The Post revealed McKerrow was restricting information to the council. She was slammed by an

“appalled” Local Government Minister Simeon Brown.

Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier, who McKerrow said backed her information blockade, told The Post he did not endorse it.

In a statement, McKerrow said she had a “tremendously rewarding career” but planned to pursue “other interests”.

“Our organisation has faced some major challenges during this time. In particular, the importance of supporting Wellingtonians through a global pandemic while continuing to deliver 400 plus services every day and simultaneously building capacity to ramp up delivery on the most ambitious programme of investment the city has ever experienced.”

“My focus will remain on ensuring the continued effective delivery of council projects and services and a stable transition for the organisation.”

Mayor Tory Whanau paid tribute to McKerrow, who was the winner of local government professional association Taituarā’s Distinguished Management Award in 2023.

“I have deeply appreciated her intelligent, thoughtful and authentic leadership that has ensured as a council we deliver the best outcomes for our city,” Whanau said.

Councillor Rebecca Matthews said she had enjoyed working with McKerrow, who had been a “wonderful” chief executive.

“The city has benefited so much from her extensive local government experience,” she said.

Councillor Tim Brown said the council was well managed, though not ideal, and much of the credit for that went to McKerrow.