CEO Colin Whitlock to retire: Mayor hails "extraordinary service" - 7/02/2005Wanganui District Council chief executive Colin Whitlock has informed Council of his intention to retire once his contract expires at the end of this year.
"Colin has rendered the most extraordinary service to both the Council and the Wanganui community. He has been the rock upon which any number of political administrations have relied. I doubt his record will be ever rivaled, let alone repeated," said Mayor Laws.
Colin Whitlock was born in Wanganui and attended Wanganui Technical College before beginning a career with the Public Trust. He completed his accountancy qualifications there before beginning his employ in 1977 with the then Wanganui City Council as Deputy City Treasurer.
His talents were quickly recognised and Mr Whitlock was appointed City Treasurer in 1980 and then Town Clerk in 1984. The position was redesignated as Chief Executive Officer of the Wanganui District Council in 1989 as a result of local government reorganisation.
"To occupy the senior executive role for 21 years is a considerable feat. In that time Colin's professionalism, leadership and good humour has made him a universally respected and admired figure."
Mr Whitlock's contract expires in December of this year and Mr Laws said that the process of appointing a new CEO would begin shortly.
"It is the most important appointment we will ever make and is fundamental to the future of our district and region."
However, Mr Laws has asked Mr Whitlock to continue his association with the Council past his retirement.
"I have asked, and Colin has agreed, that he head a project to research and write a history of local government in Wanganui. That will take in the economic, political, social and cultural history of our region and be a major task. We need to tell Wanganui's story better – Colin is just the man to head that project." | 
