Council searches for ‘visionary’ chief executive as interim leader appointed

Thursday, 23 April 2026

The search is on for a “visionary and inspirational” leader to take the helm at Christchurch City Council.

For the second time in two years the council is on the hunt for a new chief executive to lead its more than 3000 employees.

Mary Richardson will leave the role on Friday, May 1, after two years in the top job. Her contract expires on June 30, but she will take accrued leave first.

The council announced on Thursday, it had appointed chief financial officer Bede Carran as interim chief executive until a permanent replacement has been appointed.

Carran has been at the council for about two years after previously being chief executive at Timaru District Council and Waimate District Council.

In Timaru, he attracted criticism from the PSA union for rolling out a staff restructure in just three months before he left the district council in late 2023. It was the fifth restructure during his seven-year tenure.

Carran said he was committed to providing stable leadership during the transition. “My priority will be to ensure the council continues to operate effectively and remains focused on delivering for the community,” he said.

A 16-page job description states the council is looking for an experienced chief executive who has successfully led complex organisations and understands the unique dynamics of New Zealand local government.

A strong connection to Christchurch and Banks Peninsula is also desirable, but not essential.

The council wants someone who has been recognised for building trusted relationships.

Candidates should also have strong financial acumen, be politically savvy, have outstanding emotional intelligence and communication skills, and a calm, diplomatic and collaborative leadership style.

The job description states the successful candidate will provide visible and inspirational leadership.

The document does not state salary expectations, but last year Richardson received $466,569. Her predecessor Dawn Baxendale, who left abruptly in November 2023, was on about $548,500 when she left.

When appointed, Richardson, told the council she did not want to serve a full five-year term, and also insisted that her salary be reduced to $450,000.

Richardson had been a general manager at the council for eight years before stepping into the interim chief executive role when Baxendale left.

She did not initially apply for the permanent role, but did so after the council chose not to employ any of the 37 people who originally applied for the position.

Christchurch mayor Phil Mauger said he was still very thankful to Richardson for stepping up and taking on the role at a time when it needed a period of calm.

It was Richardson’s third time working at the council. She first joined the organisation in the 1980s, when she co-ordinated the first two SummerTimes festivals.

She returned to the council in 1998, when she held a policy role for six years, and then came back in 2014, initially as director of the office of the chief executive.

During Richardson’s tenure as chief executive, residents’ satisfaction with the council rose to 60%, the highest level since 2019.

In announcing Richardson’s interim replacement, Mauger said Carran had the proven experience, strong institutional knowledge and the steady leadership the council needed.

“The coming months will be a demanding period for the organisation, with major planning milestones and potential changes to the legislative environment.”

The council will be confirming its 2026/27 budget in the next two months and work has already started on developing its 10-year budget the 2027/37 long term plan.

Applications for the permanent role close on May 6.