- Lead the establishment of the new West Coast Water Services CCO
- Foundation Governance Leadership Opportunity
- Intergenerational Focus and Lasting Legacy
About The Role
Coast Waters (West Coast WSCCO) is being established by the Buller, Grey and Westland District Councils as a new council‑controlled organisation responsible for the delivery of drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services across the West Coast.
This establishment phase presents a unique governance opportunity. The new entity will bring together three councils’ water services into a single organisation designed to meet updated regulatory requirements, support long‑term affordability, and deliver safe, reliable services for West Coast communities now and into the future.
We are seeking three independent Directors to join the inaugural board and guide Coast Waters through its formation and early years of operation. Directors will play a key role in setting the strategic direction, establishing fit‑for‑purpose governance and performance frameworks, and ensuring the organisation is well positioned to manage risk, build capability, and maintain strong relationships with shareholders, iwi, regulators and the communities it serves.
Appointments are expected to be confirmed by mid 2026, ahead of Coast Waters commencing operations in July 2027. Director appointments will be for a three‑year term, with one Director appointed as Chair. Additional Directors will be appointed by the shareholding councils.
These are foundational governance roles. Successful candidates will help shape a new organisation from the outset, leaving a lasting legacy for the West Coast by supporting the delivery of safe, sustainable and resilient water services for generations to come.
What we are looking for
We are seeking three experienced Directors who will collectively form the foundation Board of the new CCO. One Director will be appointed as Chair. Working in partnership with the three shareholder Councils, iwi, regulators and communities, the Board will be accountable for:
- Oversight of significant infrastructure assets and capital programmes.
- Financial sustainability, risk management and regulatory compliance.
- Establishing strong governance, strategy and values from day one.
- Community trust, transparency and partnership, including with Māori/iwi.
- Navigating the complexity of reform, transition and regional affordability.
We are seeking Directors who collectively bring a strong mix of governance capability and:
- Infrastructure and asset governance, with experience overseeing capital‑intensive, long‑life assets and risk‑based investment decisions
- Commercial and financial acumen, including balance sheet oversight, long‑term financial planning, procurement and value‑for‑money decision making
- Water services and regulatory experience, or governance in similarly regulated, safety‑critical environments
- Climate, environmental and risk insight, with an understanding of resilience, sustainability and compliance obligations
- Māori / iwi engagement, including practical understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in a governance context
- Public sector, community and stakeholder engagement, with the ability to operate transparently and effectively in a council and community‑facing environment
Understanding of the West Coast, its communities, geography and service delivery challenges is desirable.