Tauranga City Council has confirmed Gareth Green will serve as its acting chief executive, stepping into the role one week after Marty Grenfell announced his resignation. Grenfell’s departure followed a damning August review that found the January fatal Mount Maunganui landslide tragedy was preventable.
Green has worked at the council since March, when he initially joined as manager of the mayor’s office. His appointment comes amid leadership changes at the local authority.
Gareth Green Takes the Acting Chief Executive Role
Green brings extensive local government experience to his new position as acting chief executive. A Long Service Award was presented to him last month by Taituarā, a network for local government professionals, in recognition of his 25 years in the sector. In June, he was also appointed to the board of council-controlled organisation Bay Venues as a council staff representative.
Green spent three years as the chief executive of New Plymouth District Council before resigning in December to accept the position in Tauranga. Before that period, he served 11 years as the group manager of operational services for Taupō District Council, followed by six years as its chief executive.
Did You Know? Gareth Green marked his 25 years in the local government sector last month after receiving a Long Service Award from the local government professionals network Taituarā.
Marty Grenfell Resigns Following Mount Maunganui Landslide Review
Marty Grenfell held the Tauranga chief executive role for eight years before announcing his resignation on September 29, with his last day occurring on October 2. Grenfell had faced public calls to resign after an external review by former High Court judge Paul Davison KC found that the January slip at the council-owned Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park was preventable, claiming the lives of six holidaymakers.
Mayor Mahé Drysdale addressed the departure, stating, We respect Mr Grenfell’s decision and thank him for his unwavering commitment to public service in our city over the past eight years.
Drysdale added that Grenfell helped lead the organisation through periods of significant growth, change, and challenge. While the external review identified systemic issues in the council organisation, it did not find that any individual’s acts or omissions caused the six deaths. Neither Grenfell nor the council have commented on why he quit.
Upcoming Council Decisions on a Permanent Chief Executive
Tauranga City Council intends to commence a recruitment process to appoint a permanent chief executive. The mayor and councillors will consider the next steps for the appointment process during a public excluded session at the council meeting scheduled for October 20, 2026.
Gareth Green Takes over as Acting Chief Executive
Who is the new acting chief executive of Tauranga City Council?
Gareth Green has been confirmed to serve as the acting chief executive following Marty Grenfell’s resignation. Green previously joined the council in March as the manager of the mayor’s office.
Why did Marty Grenfell resign from his role?
Grenfell resigned following an August external review by former High Court judge Paul Davison KC that concluded the January fatal Mount Maunganui landslide tragedy was preventable. Neither Grenfell nor the council have commented on why he quit.
When will the council decide on the permanent chief executive process?
The mayor and councillors will consider the next steps for the permanent recruitment process during a public excluded session at the council meeting on October 20, 2026.
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