Hutt City Council appoints new Chief Executive

Jo Miller will come to Lower Hutt from Yorkshire in England where she has been the Chief Executive of the Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council since 2012.

Acting Lower Hutt Mayor David Bassett says there was a high level of interest in the role from a range of very strong candidates, and Jo Miller was the stand out.

“Jo currently holds one of the most high profile local government roles in the UK and has been named the third most influential person in local government there. We believe she has the vision and the drive to step into this critical leadership role and take our city forward,” he said.

“Jo and her family have been looking at a shift to New Zealand for some time and we feel very lucky that this opportunity has come at the right time for her, and for us.”

Jo Miller says she is looking forward to taking on the role, and also to shifting to New Zealand.

“I look forward to building on the great work that has been done to date, and working with the Mayor, Councillors, staff, iwi, partners and the community to ensure Lower Hutt is the very best it can be for all its people.

“We Millers are excited about our move to New Zealand in a few months’ time and intend to live, work and educate our boys in Lower Hutt.  Whilst it will be sad to say goodbye to family and friends in the UK, we know we will make many new friends in New Zealand and in our trips there already we have received a fantastic Kiwi welcome to this beautiful country.”

Jo Miller replaces Tony Stallinger who has been in the Chief Executive role since 2007 and with Council since 1998. The recruitment process was required under the Local Government Act as his current contract expires in May. Chief Executives can only be appointed for a term of up to 5 years. This can be extended for a further 2 years without advertising, as long as the role is reviewed, which is what Council opted to do in 2017 when Mr Stallinger’s last term expired. However, they were only able to do that once.

Acting Mayor Bassett says Tony Stallinger has done an outstanding job for both Council and the city.

“Tony has led Hutt City Council through what has been an exciting time of growth and rejuvenation for our city. He has worked extremely hard and effectively to achieve the vision that Councillors have for a vibrant and inclusive city.”

Tony Stallinger says, “I have loved my time at Hutt City Council and while sad to be leaving I am also excited about the opportunities ahead.”

Jo Miller

Johanna (Jo) Miller currently holds one of the most high profile government jobs in the UK, and has an outstanding record for motivating people, creating solutions and brokering agreements in major housing, economic regeneration and capital investment schemes. She has experience working locally, regionally and nationally in the United Kingdom, in the public, private and voluntary sectors. She has been the Chief Executive of the Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council since 2012, and has spent close to 20 years working in local and regional government organisations.  In 2017 the Local Government Chronicle named her the third most influential person in local government. She has an Honours degree in Law and worked as a solicitor earlier in her career. She is married to Ken and they have two sons aged 16 and 9.