About Council

Originally from the United Kingdom, Lee brings over 25 years of local government experience, having worked across a range of district councils in Wales and England before relocating to New Zealand in 2009. He initially worked in the regulatory sector within private industry, later moving into a Council Controlled Organisation and subsequently joining Queenstown Lakes District Council. Lee also spent time at Central Otago District Council before more recently taking up a coastal role as General Manager – Regulatory and Compliance.

Lee holds a BSc (Hons) in Environmental Health and has a broad professional background across numerous local government functions. His areas of expertise include regulatory and compliance services spanning alcohol licensing, animal control, building, bylaws, environmental health, parking and freedom camping, resource management, and general monitoring and enforcement.

A passionate leader, Lee is committed to fostering a positive environment that enables people to perform at their best. He is solutions-focused and dedicated to delivering excellent service to the community.

Outside of work, Lee is an avid hunter, fisherman, and diver.

A fifth-generation West Coaster on her mother’s side, and whakapapa to Tainui, Waikato on her father’s side, Megan Tahapeehi joined the Council just under ten weeks ago. She has spent most of her career in the health sector with Te Whatu Ora, where her most notable contributions include her work with the National Bowel Screening Programme and her role as Cultural Advisor for Health Quality & Safety. 

Megan is currently the General Manager, Business Enablement, with responsibility for isite, the library, museum, customer services and information technology. Her strengths lie in ensuring systems and processes are well aligned and in creating environments where people feel heard, valued and supported. She is committed to fostering strong relationships and collaborative cultures where people can do their best work.

General manager of the District Asset Team, the group that provides the most extensive range of services across the region.

Erle is proud to lead a team of knowledgeable professionals dedicated to providing good service and value for investment to the Westland District community.

Erle spent seven years as operations manager in the organisation prior to stepping up into this new role.

He was raised in Nelson, has worked New Zealand wide in the private & public sectors. Experienced with managing and delivering major civil engineering capital and maintenance projects and has a deep appreciation and respect for the beautiful region and environment that we all live in.

Erle is a local rate payer, married father of 5 and passionate about shooting sports, Dogue de Bordeaux’s and Moto GP.

Diane is a proud fourth-generation South Westlander, currently seconded to the role of Quality Assurance Manager for an 18-month term. With over four decades of dedicated service in local government, including her previous roles at Westland County Council and Westland District Council, Diane brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to our community.

She leads a small, dynamic team responsible for governance administration, policy development, communications, Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act requests (LGOIMA), privacy requests, and contemporary governance practices.

Beyond her professional role, Diane is actively involved in community volunteer positions, including sports administration. Her passion for these roles reflects her dedication to our people, our history, and our place.

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Jo has over a decade worth of experience in all facets of human resources, working in government, non for profit and private sectors. Jo has a passion for ensuring people feel supported in the workplace and are set up to thrive while at work. She moved back to the West Coast over 6 years ago with her husband to raise her 4 boys in a place where she enjoyed growing up. 

Jo looks after both the Human Resources and Health and Safety functions at the council.