Christchurch City Council chief executive Mary Richardson will leave her role on May 1, the mayor, Phil Mauger, has announced.

Richardson was appointed for a fixed term to stabilise the organisation and improve resident satisfaction, service delivery and staff engagement and wellbeing, a council spokesperson said.

They said all three areas had shown “remarkable and measurable improvement” during her two-and-a-half-year tenure.

Richardson said the timing was right to step aside as the council prepares for its next phase of planning.

“When I agreed to take on the chief executive role, it was with a clear purpose and a clear timeframe,” she said.

“The organisation is now in a strong position and focused on the upcoming Annual Plan and the development of the 2027–2037 Long Term Plan. It makes sense for someone who will be here through the period of planning and delivery to lead it.”

She also thanked staff, elected members and residents.

Christchurch City Council chief executive Mary Richardson will leave her role on May 1, it has been announced. Photo / Christchurch City Council

“I want to thank staff across the organisation for their professionalism, dedication, and resilience; the mayor and councillors for their support and commitment to the city; and our residents, whose expectations and aspirations drive us to do better every day. It has been a privilege to serve this community.”

Mauger said Richardson had provided steady leadership at a critical time.

“Mary has been such a safe pair of hands and stepped up at a critical time, delivering exactly what the organisation needed. Her leadership has strengthened performance, lifted confidence, and set us up well for the future. She’s a public servant through and through. We are extremely grateful for her service and wish her the very best.”

Richardson’s final date had originally been set for June 30, but will now be May 1 due to accrued leave.

Recruitment for a new chief executive is underway, with an acting chief executive to be appointed during the transition.