The Dunedin City Council (DCC) has experienced a significant exodus of senior managers. Robert West, corporate services general manager, and Jeanette Wikaira, arts, culture and recreation general manager, both resigned. The absence of deputy chief executive Leanne Mash has also raised concerns.
The council denies claims of a culture problem, attributing the departures to normal staff turnover. Chief executive Sandy Graham defended the council's transparency, while acknowledging privacy obligations. Mayor Jules Radich emphasized the council's continued focus on moving forward.
The Taxpayers’ Union criticized the DCC's lack of transparency regarding Ms. Mash's absence, calling for greater public accountability. Concerns were also raised about the overall stability of the DCC's executive leadership team, with half of its members either leaving or their status being unclear.
Mr. West cited a desire to spend more time with family as his reason for leaving, highlighting positive aspects of his time at the council, including contributions to projects like the Mosgiel swimming complex and Logan Park football turf. He also noted the dedication of the council's workforce.
The resignation of corporate services general manager Robert West was confirmed yesterday, weeks after the announcement arts, culture and recreation general manager Jeanette Wikaira would be leaving.
Mr West has sometimes filled in as acting chief executive. He has been employed by the council for more than seven years.
He had decided to step back from a busy work schedule and spend more time with family. His last day with the council would be August 1, he said.
Ms Wikaira is set to take up a position with the Thames-Coromandel District Council late next month.
The Dunedin City Council has also lately had publicity about the ongoing absence of another executive leadership team member, deputy chief executive Leanne Mash, who was described by the Taxpayers’ Union as "missing".
Council chief executive Sandy Graham described Mr West as a stalwart and said his "skilled leadership and wicked sense of humour will be missed".
The council was advertising to replace Ms Wikaira and "we’re fortunate Mr West will remain with the organisation until August — so we have time to recruit".
Of the eight people in Ms Graham’s executive leadership team early last year, half have either left, are set to leave or their status is unclear.
Senior staff who have departed in the past two years include executive leadership team members Claire Austin, Simon Pickford, Simon Drew and Gavin Logie, for various reasons.
Ms Graham said staff turnover was a normal part of any organisation.
"There is no culture problem within the DCC’s senior leadership, and we reject any suggestion to the contrary," she said.
Ms Mash was described by Stuff as having been on leave for almost a year and the Taxpayers’ Union said the council had refused to explain the absence.
"This is a shocking lack of transparency from Dunedin City Council," union local government manager Sam Warren said.
"Ratepayers deserve better — not a wall of silence.”
The council should "stop treating public accountability as an optional extra", Mr Warren said, while also inviting Ms Mash to "clear the air with the public" about her salary.Ms Graham said the Taxpayers’ Union’s views about councils were well known.
"The DCC remains committed to transparency wherever possible, including responding to a wide range of media requests, but we also have legitimate privacy and legal obligations as an employer which limit what can be discussed publicly," she said.
Mr West’s career has included working in both New Zealand and in the United Kingdom and he joined the city council in December 2017 as parks and recreation services acting group manager.
He had the "late career pleasure of serving on the executive team for the last five years under Sandy’s supportive leadership", he said.
Highlights included the building of Mosgiel’s Te Puna o Whakaehu swimming complex, the Logan Park football turf and "initiatives to improve the wellbeing of our staff".
The council had "a skilled, positive and dedicated workforce who, despite the criticism of the DCC and its people from some in our community, continue to do their good work with honesty and integrity", he said.
Dunedin Mayor Jules Radich said both of the recently announced staff departures enabled the people concerned to return to their homelands.
"A degree of staff turnover is normal, but we’re fortunate to have secured the services of the chief executive until October 2026 and our focus ... is now on moving forward," he said.
"There is no leadership crisis."
grant.miller@odt.co.nz
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