Napier City Council chief executive to lead Water Hawke’s Bay

Napier City Council chief executive Louise Miller is stepping down to become Water Hawke’s Bay’s inaugural chief executive as it prepares to take over water services for three of the region’s councils.

Miller will take up the role in January, ahead of the organisation assuming responsibility for drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services across Napier, Hastings and Central Hawke’s Bay on July 1, 2027.

Miller told Hawke’s Bay News she had not been looking for another job, but the opportunity to help shape a new organisation prompted her to apply.

“I thought I’d kick myself if I didn’t try, so that’s why I put my hat in the ring.”

She had already been closely involved in the work leading towards Water Hawke’s Bay’s establishment through her council role.

“I'd been part of the journey and then to be able to come back and get involved in the actual establishment is just going to be amazing, and it's a fantastic board too.”

Miller said having an organisation focused on water infrastructure was important as demands on services increased.

“It’s about creating that long-term sustainability both in a way that’s hopefully financially sustainable but also able to be resilient with all of the climate change and things like that.”

Water Hawke’s Bay board chairwoman Wendie Harvey said candidates from within the region, elsewhere in New Zealand and overseas had been considered.

She said Miller brought strong leadership and an understanding of how to bring the councils’ water operations together.

“She can see opportunities to optimise the benefits of scale that come from bringing the three different council or water entities together. She has really sound leadership qualities.”

Harvey said Miller understood the challenges ahead, including ageing infrastructure.

Interim chief executive Chris O’Reilly is leading the organisation’s establishment team.

Miller took up the role at Napier City Council in March 2023, just one month after Cyclone Gabrielle devastated the region.

She had previously been CE of Kaipara District Council for four years until October 2022. She has also held key positions at Tauranga City Council and Dacorum Borough Council in Hertfordshire, England.

“The cyclone happened literally the month before I took up the role, and so all those plans kind of got shelved as we went straight into recovery. But on the positive side, it was amazing because I joined at a time when all of the councils had really come together because we had to work so closely together to get the best outcome for our community.”

Napier Mayor Richard McGrath said Miller would be a huge loss, but her knowledge of Three Waters would serve the region well.

“She joined NCC after a rather turbulent time; we were dealing with the aftermath of floods, Covid and the cyclone, and she's dealt with it all as a true leader and professional, bringing her teams with her on the journey.

“Personally, as a new incoming mayor, I couldn't have been more supported, and I thank her for that. We have been fortunate as a city to have had her leading our council.”

The council said Miller would finish in mid-December. Arrangements for its chief executive role will be confirmed in due course.