Rangitikei District Council chief executive Clare Hadley managed to woo a panel of Nelson City Council employers, despite being on the other side of the world during the interview process.

Mrs Hadley was announced as Nelson City Council’s new chief executive yesterday, despite doing the bulk of her interviews when she was in Poland cheering on her son, Nevan, at the under-21 canoe polo world championships.

Regardless of doing it all via Skype or over the phone, Mrs Hadley prevailed over a field of 56 applicants.

She didn’t mind the technology-aided meetings, she said, even when the internet connection in Poland failed her.

‘‘It wasn’t always easy – broadband and wi-fi isn’t quite as widely available in Europe as you’re led to believe – so it did have its challenges.’’

Mrs Hadley is delighted with her appointment and said she couldn’t wait ‘‘to get my feet under the desk’’.

Although the new role would provide her with bigger, better challenges, she said she would miss her daily dealings in the Rangitikei District.

‘‘They’ve been an incredibly supportive organisation, council and community and I have been really privileged to have had the support of the council and the staff and have enjoyed fantastic opportunities there.

‘‘I will miss working with that great team.’’

Her grounding at the Rangitikei District Council was extremely helpful in securing the position, she said.

‘‘It speaks volumes about what you can achieve from rural authorities in New Zealand.  Going to the chief executive position at Rangitikei broadened my vision.’’

As well as the five years she did at Rangitikei, she also had five years as the general manager of community and commercial services at Palmerston North City Council.

She has also been employed at the Hutt City Council as the economic development manager, and had managerial roles at both Porirua City Council and Dunedin City Council.

This will be her first time living in Nelson, but she has family connections in the sunny region and her husband Ken will be joining her.

She starts her new role on December 17.

Appointing her replacement at Rangitikei District Council is to be discussed by the council soon.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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