Whanganui Council Appoints Interim Chief Executive

Saturday, 16 August 2025, 5:35 pm
Article: Moana Ellis - Local Democracy Reporter

Former Wellington City Council chief executive Barbara McKerrow has been appointed interim chief executive of Whanganui District Council. 

She will take over when David Langford steps down in September. 

McKerrow will take up the position in October and head the council until a new leader is appointed.

Mayor Andrew Tripe said a permanent appointment would not be made until after the new council has been sworn in and inducted following local government elections in October. 

“We quickly identified that we would need someone in an interim role to keep momentum going through and beyond the elections and across the council’s many projects, initiatives and deliverables,” Tripe said. 

A recruitment process will start soon in the search for a permanent chief executive. 

Langford has resigned to take up a senior position with Nottinghamshire County Council in the United Kingdom. 

McKerrow has more than 25 years’ experience as a senior executive, including five years leading Wellington City Council and nine years as New Plymouth District Council chief executive. 

Her performance in local government was recognised in 2023 with a Distinguished Management Award made by Taituarā, the national professional body for local government professionals. 

McKerrow said she would enjoy spending time in Whanganui. 

“This district is rich with cultural taonga, innovative thinking and abundant creativity. Your economic development metrics are looking positive, indicating growth is heading in the right direction.” 

The Whanganui council played a key role in regional decision-making and had been noticed in the past 12 months for its contribution and achievements, McKerrow said. 

“I look forward to working with elected members and staff and to meeting the council’s key partners and community leaders.” 

Tripe said Whanganui had been fortunate to have Langford for the past three and a half years. 

He had been instrumental in driving major infrastructure, strategic and organisational improvements for Whanganui district, he said. 

“He has made a significant contribution to Whanganui.” 

Langford will be Director of Highways, Transportation and Waste Management for the Nottinghamshire council, which serves more than 1.2 million residents. 

He will be on the executive leadership team leading the transformation of multiple local councils into a new unitary authority. 

“David is destined for a big career. I fully understand and respect his ambition to broaden his experience in a larger system and contribute to a major national reform process in the UK,” Tripe said.

Langford’s final day with Whanganui District Council will be Friday, 17 October. 

“On behalf of the council, I want to sincerely thank David for his service to Whanganui, and wish him and his family all the best for their return to the UK.” 

-LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air

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