From Pool Manager To Waimakariri Council Boss

Thursday, 23 October 2025, 4:48 pm
Article: David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter

Jeff Millward’s passion for swimming inspired him to become the pool manager at the then Rangiora Borough Council back in 1985. 

Since then, the Waimakariri District Council chief executive has clocked up 40 years' service in Rangiora. As the pools weren't covered back in the 1980s, Mr Millward juggled two jobs - six months in the pools during the warmer months, and six months in the office during the colder months. 

One of his first office jobs was working on the Brazilian numbering system, which was used before rapid numbers - the numbering system used in rural areas instead of street numbers. 

‘‘There was one number for every 10 metres so emergency services would know where they were going," Mr Millward said. 

In 1986, the Rangiora Borough Council merged with the Rangiora County Council to form the Rangiora District Council, with the Eyre County Council joining in 1987. 

The Waimakariri District Council was formed in 1989 as part of the local government amalgamations. Eventually Mr Millward signed off at the pools and moved permanently into the office, becoming an assistant accountant. 

‘‘I had to make a decision whether I stayed in the pools or came into the office as an accountant.’’ 

He completed his accountancy qualifications, studying part time alongside his day job and eventually became a chartered accountant at age 40. He moved up the ranks as a financial accountant and then finance manager. In 2008 he became the finance and business support general manager, filling in as acting chief executive several times before taking on the top job permanently three years ago. 

His job may have changed, but Mr Millward's passion for swimming remains. He was a competitive swimmer, representing Canterbury and was once selected to represent New Zealand in a local competition when he was younger. 

‘‘I probably didn’t reach my full potential. 

‘‘I should have stuck to it for another two years, but when you go to work and start earning money it becomes less important, and you get other responsibilities.’’ 

But he continues to swim and has competed in masters world swimming championships. Mr Millward represented Canterbury in five different sports, mostly at age group level, including rugby league, water polo, athletics, swimming and cricket. 

‘‘Dayle Hadlee tried to get me to stick with cricket when I was at intermediate.’’ 

During his time in senior management, he has overseen 17 annual and long term plans, which are externally audited by Audit New Zealand. Mr Millward has seen some significant changes in his time, including the change from developer agreements to development contributions. Councils are also now able to debt fund large, long term capital projects. 

‘‘Capital projects tended to be funded short term and were rate funded, which could lead to large variances in rates,’’ Mr Millward said. ‘‘If you took out a loan you had to set up a sinking fund provision to pay back the loan.’’ 

Nowadays councils can take out 25-year loans, which are monitored and audited. ‘‘We were audited previously, but it’s a different system now and it’s given councils a lot more autonomy,’’ he said. 

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

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