New Chief People and Performance Officer for Council

Published on 13 December 2022

The Palmerston North City Council has appointed Danelle Whakatihi into the organisation’s senior leadership team, filling the role of Chief People and Performance Officer.

The role has been filled in an acting capacity by People Operations Manager Wayne Wilson since Patrick Watson departed earlier this year.

Council Chief Executive Waid Crockett says while there was a great selection of candidates for the role, Danelle was a standout.

“Danelle comes to us with a wide range of experience in the public sector including the Ministry of Education, Fire and Emergency, New Zealand Defence Force, Ministry of Social Development, ACC and various other Public and Non-Government organisations. She is a dynamic and engaging leader whose work has focused on delivering solutions with the community at the heart of them. I believe she will make a great contribution to our organisation and city.”

Ms Whakatihi lives in Bulls and her whakapapa includes Nga Ruāhine (Taranaki), Te Atihaunui-a-Pāpārangi (Whanganui) and Te Atiawa (Wellington).

She says she was drawn to the role to give back to her community.

“I’m passionate about community service and am heavily involved in my own community in Bulls in a voluntary capacity. I see local government as being more connected to the community than some of the larger government departments, and that’s really exciting to me.”

Ms Whakatihi has close connections to the city, having lived in the city before, she has children currently attending school here, plays netball locally and is a long term serving member on the Manawatū Junior Rugby board.

“I’m really looking forward to working in Palmerston North and meeting the council team and elected members. I’m excited to get a better understanding of the mahi underway and what matters to the organisation and the community and how that aligns.”

Danelle will start in her new role on February 8.