Michelle Morss replaces Mike Theelen, who is retiring from the role.
Michelle Morss.
Michelle Morss has been appointed interim chief executive of Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC), following the retirement of current chief executive Mike Theelen.
Morss has more than 20 years of leadership experience across local government and the private sector. She has been at QLDC for 10 years and has been general manager of strategy and policy for the past three. Before joining local government, she headed up the Asia Pacific division of commercial moving company MovePlan.
Originally from the UK, she holds a Master's qualification in both public administration and modern history.
Mayor John Glover said the appointment followed a robust process, led by Local Government New Zealand. “The most important decision that this council will make is to appoint the substantive replacement for Mike Theelen. Michelle brings the knowledge and experience needed to lead the organisation as it faces the reforms and challenges over the coming months pending that appointment, and it is wonderful that we will have an interim who can hit the ground running,” he said.
He acknowledged Theelen’s decade of leadership and service at QLDC. “Whilst I’ve only worked alongside Mike for a matter of months, it is fully evident that his commitment to public service and in particular his belief in the purpose of local government are values that he holds very dearly. His retirement marks the end of a significant chapter for QLDC and I am sure will open a new one for Mike and his family,” he said.
Recruitment for a new chief executive is expected to begin in the coming months.
This is supplied content and not commissioned or paid for by NBR.
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