Council appoints new Chief Executive

Christchurch City Council Interim Chief Executive Mary Richardson has been appointed into the role until 30 June 2026.

Mayor Phil Mauger says there were 37 applicants for the Chief Executive position and a shortlist of three were interviewed by the Mayor and Councillors.

“The interview panel didn’t make an appointment at the end of the process and we asked Mary if she would consider putting in an application for the role,” the Mayor says.

“She agreed to do so with the proviso that she didn’t want the role for the five-year term.

“Mary knows our communities and local government inside out.  The Councillors and I are looking forward to continuing to work with her through the next local body elections and to the end of the financial year in 2026,” he says.

Ms Richardson has worked at Christchurch City Council in a number of roles and most recently was General Manager of Citizens and Community for 10 years before stepping in as Interim Chief Executive in November 2023.