A senior member of the Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) executive leadership team has been appointed as interim chief executive.

Michelle Morss has been at QLDC for ten years and been general manager strategy and policy for the past three.

QLDC mayor John Glover said her appointment “ensures the organisation and community have consistency and stability while work continues to recruit a chief executive”.

He said the appointment (the decision was made by councillors last week) followed a robust process led by Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ). 

“The most important decision that this council will make is to appoint the substantive replacement for Mike Theelen,” John said.

“Michelle brings the knowledge and experience needed to lead the organisation as it faces the reforms and challenges over the coming months pending that appointment, and it is wonderful that we will have an interim who can hit the ground running.”

Michelle has been a leader in the development of the regional deal, the Spatial Plan and the Destination Management Plan. She has been a key member of the Emergency Operations Centre for a number of years and is currently the district’s recovery manager. 

“It’s going to be a busy period as we work on the development of the Long Term Plan, the establishment of the Water Services CCO and understand the implications of a broad range of central government reforms for the sector,” she said.

John acknowledged Mike Theelen for ten years of leadership and service at QLDC, including “his commitment to public service and in particular his belief in the purpose of local government”.

“His retirement marks the end of a significant chapter for QLDC and I am sure will open a new one for Mike and his family,” he said.

Recruitment for a chief executive is expected to begin in the coming months, led by the QLDC CEO relationship and recruitment committee. 

Read more: Next step for appointment of interim council CEO