Former Christchurch City Council manager returns to organisation to lend 'steadying' hand

3:46 pm on 28 November 2023
Exterior shots of Chch city council building

A number of senior staff have recently resigned at Christchurch City Council. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon

A former Christchurch City Council senior manager is returning to help the organisation, which has lost a number of senior staff in the last year.

The latest high level resignations were the chief executive and the chief financial officer who both left this month.

The council's head of three waters and general manager of infrastructure, planning and regulatory services also resigned earlier this year.

Jane Parfitt, who held several senior leadership roles at the Christchurch City Council between 2003 and 2015, will return as the interim general manager infrastructure, planning and regulatory services.

While with the Christchurch City Council previously Jane Parfitt held the roles of general manager city environment, acting chief executive, and chief operating officer. From 2000 to 2003 she was the chief executive at Waimakariri District Council.

Since leaving Christchurch City Council Jane Parfitt has had advisory roles with Kaikōura District Council, Invercargill City Council, and Southland District Council.

"I simply couldn't turn down the opportunity to lend a hand in steadying the organisation which is facing a variety of challenges," Parfitt said.

Acting chief executive Mary Richardson said she was looking forward to welcoming Parfitt back to the executive leadership team.

"I feel incredibly lucky to have someone of Jane's calibre, who knows the organisation inside and out, working alongside me.

"She headed up the city environment area for 10 years when she worked here previously, so I feel grateful to have a safe pair of hands heading up the infrastructure, planning and regulatory services group," Richardson said.

The council said Parfitt will take up her role from today, and will remain in the position until a permanent replacement is appointed next year.

Get the RNZ app

for ad-free news and current affairs