One Chief Executive, Two Councils as Waikato Tries a Shared Approach

Waikato District Council will share a chief executive with neighbouring South Waikato following former CEO Craig Hobbs’ resignation and departure, in a temporary arrangement aimed at maintaining leadership while reducing costs.

Susan Law, currently Chief Executive of South Waikato District Council, will retain that role while serving as Waikato’s Acting Chief Executive from 1 November 2026 to 31 May 2027. The arrangement remains subject to a formal agreement between the parties.

Mayor Aksel Bech says the move builds on relationships developed through the Head Start local government reform discussions, despite central government’s pause on amalgamation decisions.

“We’re taking back the pen from central government and writing our own future.”

With rates affordability among residents’ top priorities, Aksel Bech says sharing the position will save Waikato District Council half the chief executive’s salary, without cuts to services, facilities or community spaces.

Susan Law brings more than 30 years of executive leadership experience across health, housing and local government. South Waikato Mayor Gary Petley says his council has the staff and structure to support the arrangement and expressed full confidence in her ability to manage both roles.

For Waikato, her immediate responsibilities include overseeing the council’s organisational change and technology programme while maintaining day-to-day services.

The two councils will also investigate whether sharing other services could improve efficiency. Law is due to report back to both councils by 31 March 2027, with any subsequent proposals requiring separate decisions by each council.

Both councils will remain independent, retaining their own elected representatives, budgets and decision-making. The council says the arrangement is an exploration of shared services, rather than a political step towards amalgamation.

Waikato intends to advertise its permanent chief executive position in the new year, with longer-term leadership decisions to be considered in February or March. The shared-services findings will help inform the shape of that role.

For Tamahere residents, the immediate change is a new council leader and a promise of lower executive costs. Whether the arrangement delivers wider savings while maintaining service standards will become clearer over the coming months.