Council CEO makes hard decision to move on

Central Otago District Council Chief Executive Sanchia Jacobs has today announced her resignation from the top job.

In announcing her resignation to staff and elected members Sanchia said her decision to resign “had not been an easy one”.

“I have loved my time leading CODC, and the last five years have been an enormous privilege. Although I was not actively looking for a new opportunity, when this one was presented to me, I knew it was a good fit, aligned perfectly, and that it was the right time for me.”

Sanchia said her tenure with CODC had been “one of the most challenging and rewarding jobs of her career”.

Reflecting on that time, she said the council achievements she was most proud of included a top-notch Destination Management Plan that is getting national recognition and will ensure Central Otago retains its unique character and unfakeable assets; the ever-deepening relationship with iwi; becoming a living wage Council within existing budgets; progressing a vision for the district to ensure we are tracking in a way that is consistent with our communities’ desires; the traction made with the Eden Hore collection which is “a taonga for our district” and the gains made in raising Central Otago’s profile nationally through her and Mayor Tim’s roles on the boards of Taituarā and LGNZ respectively.

She said reform had been on overarching feature of the last three years.

“It is far from over, but I believe I have played my part to position CODC well in each of the major reforms facing the local government sector, and to ensure that a small council like CODC has its voice heard both regionally and nationally.”

Central Otago Mayor Tim Cadogan said he was saddened to accept the resignation.

“Sanchia has been an exceptional leader of the management side of council, bringing an energy and vision to the organisation that will have impact for years after her departure. She has also brought to the role a wider world view that has been absolutely invaluable as we negotiate the difficult reform processes councils are going through.”

Mayor Tim said Sanchia had given three-months’ notice with a final end date to be agreed.

Sanchia will be taking up the position of Director Local Government with Beca, New Zealand’s premier engineering consultancy. She will remain in Central Otago performing her new role from her base in Alexandra.

“Beca is a business that I have not only long admired, but whose values completely align with my own. It is a role where I can stay connected to Local Government and work with them to more actively engage in the sustainability, decarbonisation and climate change space – the biggest and most significant challenge facing our planet.”