General Manager Planning and Construction

Our purpose | Tō mātou kaupapa

Central Districts Water is the new water services organisation for Palmerston North, Rangitīkei and Horowhenua. From 1 July 2027 we will deliver drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services to around 54,000 connections across the three districts, managing a $1.7 billion asset base and a capital programme of $1.4 billion.

We are jointly owned by Palmerston North City Council, Rangitīkei District Council and Horowhenua District Council, and established in partnership with Ngā Tapuwae o Hau, the alliance of tangata whenua across our three districts. We are being formed under the Local Government (Water Services) Act 2025.

Our kaupapa is to provide safe, reliable, affordable water services, delivered with care for the awa, the whenua and the communities that depend on them, both now and into the future.

Come and join us.

About the role | Mō te tūnga

As General Manager Planning and Construction, you will lead the planning, asset management and delivery of Central Districts Water's $1.4 billion capital programme.

This is the region’s largest sustained investment in water infrastructure. It includes the Nature Calls wastewater project in Palmerston North, renewals and compliance driven upgrades across Rangitīkei, and growth capacity in Horowhenua, where the Ōtaki to North of Levin highway is accelerating development and demand for water services. You will own the asset management strategy and long-term investment plan that sequences all of it, and the business cases that justify it to the Board, to lenders and to the Commerce Commission.

This programme represents an increase over previous capital delivery in the region, and this team will build the model to match it: the PMO, the delivery and procurement approach, and a supplier market with the capacity to meet these ambitions. You will also bring three separate sets of asset data, condition information and management plans into a coherent view on which investment will rely.

About you | Mōhou ake

You will be a senior infrastructure leader with a track record of delivering large, multi-year capital programmes in water, utilities, transport or comparable network infrastructure, and with real depth in asset management planning and whole of life investment decision making.

You will bring strong commercial and contract capability, experience shaping a supplier market, and the discipline to hold a programme to its commitments. You will be equally comfortable in a technical review and in front of a community meeting explaining why a street is being dug up.

Experience establishing delivery capability from a standing start, and working alongside iwi and hapū on catchment, consenting and cultural values, will serve you well here. And, underpinning all of this, will be a genuine commitment to public service and to the communities CDW exists to serve.

More info | Ētahi atu kōrero

To apply in confidence now, please complete the 'apply for this job' application form, attaching your cover letter and CV in a PDF format wherever possible. Emails will be electronically acknowledged and further correspondence may be sent by email.

Applications close on 7 October 2026,9am.