New Chief Executive welcomed with mihi whakatau

Today, the Gore District Council welcomed only its third chief executive in its 35-year history, Debbie Lascelles.

Elected members, staff and representatives from the Hokonui Rūnaga welcomed Ms Lascelles to the District with a mihi whakatau in the Gore Library.

Ms Lascelles has worked at the South Waikato District Council for the last two years, initially as Group Manager Community and Corporate, and latterly as Executive Manager Strategy and Transformation.

South Waikato District Mayor Gary Petley, Chief Executive Susan Law, and cultural advisor Mahu Armstrong travelled south to deliver Ms Lascelles to her new professional whanau.

Ms Lascelles was also supported by her son Joel and mother Janet Sturgess.

Gore District Mayor Ben Bell said elected members were looking forward to this new chapter for the Council.

“It seems to have been a long time coming, so it’s great to have Debbie here finally.”

Ms Lascelles said Gore’s many top-class public facilities were one of the reasons she had been attracted to the town and the chief executive role.

Among her priorities were getting the draft 2024/25 Annual Plan across the line and starting work on the 2025 – 2034 Long Term Plan.

However, for the next few days, she looked forward to meeting all staff and learning more about the District.