Central Otago District Council (CODC) chief executive Sanchia Jacobs has announced her resignation from the top job.

Sanchia said her decision to resign “had not been an easy one”.

“I have loved my time leading CODC, and the last five years have been an enormous privilege.”

Sanchia said her tenure with CODC had been “one of the most challenging and rewarding jobs of her career”.

Council achievements she was most proud of included the Destination Management Plan; deepening relationship with iwi; becoming a living wage council within existing budgets; progressing a vision for the district; traction made with the Eden Hore collection - “a taonga for our district”; and raising Central Otago’s profile nationally through her and mayor Tim Cadogan’s roles on the boards of Taituarā and LGNZ respectively.

Sanchia said reform had been an overarching feature of the last three years.

“It is far from over, but I believe I have played my part to position CODC well in each of the major reforms facing the local government sector, and to ensure that a small council like CODC has its voice heard both regionally and nationally.”

Tim Cadogan said he was saddened to accept the resignation.

“Sanchia has been an exceptional leader of the management side of council, bringing an energy and vision to the organisation that will have impact for years after her departure. She has also brought to the role a wider world view that has been absolutely invaluable as we negotiate the difficult reform processes councils are going through.”

Sanchia had given three-months’ notice with a final end date to be agreed.

She will be taking up the position of local government director with the Beca engineering consultancy. She will remain in Central Otago performing her new role from her base in Alexandra.