Whanganui District Council appoints interim chief executive

Published on 05 November 2021

Whanganui District Council has appointed chief operating officer Lance Kennedy to the role of interim chief executive until a permanent selection for this position is made.

Lance Kennedy has previously held senior roles with Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency and New Zealand Police Ngā Pirihimana O Aotearoa.

He says, “I’ve been with the council for a year now and I’m absolutely delighted to be here and committed to serving the Whanganui community.

“I’ve been impressed by the council’s professionalism since I joined the organisation and I look forward to working with staff, elected members, local iwi and the wider community on a range of challenges and changes that face local government and our district.”

Recruitment for the role of Whanganui District Council’s new chief executive is underway. Former chief executive Kym Fell departed on 31 October to take up an executive position with Wellington City Council.

Whanganui mayor Hamish McDouall welcomed Lance Kennedy’s appointment as the council’s interim chief executive.

“Having watched Lance’s performance over the past year, and knowing his previous senior roles with national organisations, I have confidence the council is in safe hands while councillors, key stakeholders and I work through the process of finding a new chief executive.”

Lance Kennedy joined Whanganui District Council in November 2020 after more than two years at Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, where he most recently held the role of national manager, journey optimisation.

Before his Waka Kotahi role, Lance Kennedy spent 26 years with New Zealand Police, including senior management roles at both regional and national level.