How consultants and local government are stronger together
What does the future of work look like for your local government clients, what are the market trends, and how can consultants support local authorities to make things easier? We'll delve into these issues at the SME Summit on Wednesday 21 May, with a panel discussion featuring Craig Hobbs (Waikato District Council), Monique Davidson (Horowhenua District Council) and Barry Potter (Auckland Council), facilitated by Sanchia Jacobs (Beca, formerly Central Otago District Council).
Sanchia Jacobs, Beca
Tell us about yourself
My entire career before coming to Beca was in the public service – first as a New Zealand diplomat and trade negotiator, and then several senior leadership roles at Auckland Council, before spending five and a half years as chief executive officer at Central Otago District Council.
In 2023, I transitioned to the private sector and joined Beca as Director, Local Government Advisory and, more latterly, Chair of the Sustainability Oversight Group. Beca stood out to me given its long whakapapa walking beside New Zealand agencies, communities and iwi, and for its strong commitment to its values and purpose to make every day better.
I live in Alexandra, Central Otago, and love the outdoor lifestyle that this part of the country provides.
What strengths will you bring to the panel discussion?
I have lived and loved local government as a sector for the last decade and a half. I believe in it, and what it does for communities. I will bring strengths from working across a number of local government leadership roles that have provided me with a unique insight into the sector.
What will you contribute to the discussion regarding:
- The future of work
No one on the panel, including me, has the answers to what the future of work looks like, but we do have the people to convene the conversation so that we’re able to start aligning our strategies and actions towards it.
- Upcoming market trends
We’re becoming really good at navigating political uncertainty and an ongoing constrained environment.
- How consultants can make local authorities' lives easier
I understand, from being a CEO, that there is a tsunami of requests from consultants every day – from New Zealand, Australia, America and the rest of the world – asking for five minutes of your time to discuss everything from your digital strategy to how resilient your council is, or their new service offering. It is overwhelming and very quickly becomes noise that is easily deleted.
Consultants can help the wider local government sector by really listening to the challenges and opportunities councils are facing and actively participating in events to get to know the sector well and become better advisors to them.
The importance of growing authentic and trusted relationships – of listening to what clients need - and responding with solutions to their challenges and priorities is critical, and the only real way to make their lives easier. Less noise, more targeted and relevant solutions.
What value do consultants bring to local authorities?
Consultants can add a lot of value to local authorities, especially councils that are classified as rural and provincial. These councils usually have fewer staff than larger authorities and not the same in-house technical expertise, so rely on good consultant advice for many things. Larger councils will have a different need for large-scale infrastructure and deep and different technical thinking.
Craig Hobbs, Waikato District Council
Tell us about yourself
With over 20 years of senior management experience across various industries and sectors, I have committed my career to local government – a sector that delivers for communities and touches the lives of people every day.
My local government knowledge is complemented with extensive commercial and not-for-profit experience. I have held four chief executive roles – I'm currently CE at Waikato District Council and previously was Director Regulatory Services at Auckland Council. I was also CE at Paralympics New Zealand and The National Maritime Museum. I have a master's degree in public management from Victoria University and have coached New Zealand hockey teams internationally.
What strengths will you bring to the panel discussion regarding:
- The future of work
How we may create career opportunities and collaboration through cadetships and secondments.
How we may capitalise on and keep up with technology and international best practice.
- Upcoming market trends
We need to smooth out the boom-and-bust cycle of the New Zealand economy as it impacts infrastructure delivery.
- How consultants can make local authorities' lives easier
Understand the requirements of local authorities (and vice versa) and collaborate more than at present.
What value do consultants bring to local authorities?
Significant value. Consultants provide specialist advice and work and additional capacity when required.
Monique Davidson, Horowhenua District Council
Tell us about yourself
I’m a dedicated mum, balancing the demands of CEO life—let’s not be fooled, I drop plenty of balls, I just pretend to wear a cape while I do it. I'm deeply motivated by a strong belief in the impact local government has on communities and the importance of collaboration in driving positive change.
Through my work, I lead teams and facilitate meaningful experiences for staff, consultants, and communities alike. When people are engaged in a purposeful way, they are empowered to achieve more.
What strengths will you bring to the panel discussion regarding:
- The future of work
I bring a solid understanding of the policy environment, especially in local government, and how it’s evolving. I believe that the future of work, particularly in local government, will look very different.
As a generalist with expertise in leading high-performing teams, I know the value of human-centred design in fostering workplaces that bring out the best in people. Additionally, I have experience guiding individuals and organisations through periods of change, ensuring smooth transitions as the work landscape evolves.
- Upcoming market trends
I can offer valuable perspectives on trends related to urbanisation and growth projections in New Zealand, particularly in the context of provincial areas. Understanding the shifting demographic landscape is key to how we build places that effectively connect communities to essential infrastructure. This is something I’m deeply passionate about and regularly explore in my work.
- How consultants can make local authorities' lives easier
My perspective is centered around flexibility and collaboration. We’re moving away from rigid in-house vs. outsourced models and focusing more on outcomes. Sometimes, in-house teams are the best solution; other times, external consultants bring the expertise, skills, and capacity needed to achieve a better result.
I also believe in the power of relationships. It's no longer about the transactional "wining and dining" model but about having a network of trusted partners who you can rely on when you need specialised skills or to drive initiatives forward.
What value do consultants bring to local authorities?
Consultants provide invaluable external perspectives, often bringing a wealth of knowledge on best practices and lessons learned from other sectors or regions. They can also serve as an independent voice in decision-making processes, especially on sensitive or controversial matters. This independence is critical and helps maintain the integrity of advice given. However, it’s important to strike a balance between independence and creating lasting partnerships with consultants who understand the values and needs of local authorities.
Barry Potter, Auckland Council
Tell us about yourself
I have been with Auckland Council for nine years and prior to this I enjoyed a career in the consulting sector in New Zealand and internationally. My international experience includes 11 years in Asia, three years in the Pacific, plus time working in other countries. I have been a member of major international consultancies and have led business operations in New Zealand, China and Asia, and other countries.
I am the Director of Resilience and Infrastructure at Auckland Council and a member of the council’s executive team. My responsibilities include: Auckland Emergency Management (Civil Defence); Building Consents; Waste Solutions (Auckland’s waste, recycling and food scraps programmes); Healthy Waters and Flood Resilience; Auckland Recovery Office responding to the 2023 flood events; council’s asset management; Engineering Technical Services; sponsors' representative for City Rail Link; and, from June this year, the Auckland Development Office, formerly Eke Panuku.
What strengths will you bring to the panel discussion?
My New Zealand and international private and public sector experience has provided me with an understanding of business, projects and programmes from the perspective of both the client and the professional services provider, as well as the opportunity to see market trends and how consultants can respond to these.
What will you contribute to the discussion regarding:
- The future of work
The way we work is changing significantly, driven by the response to COVID, new technologies such as AI, and changing global conditions. The ability to adapt becomes increasingly important while the importance of building relationships remains ever strong.
- Upcoming market trends
I would like to think that, particularly in politics and the public sector, there is an increasing awareness of the follies of ‘short-termism’ and political flip-flops. The infrastructure and other challenges we face as a country and internationally require genuine bipartisan commitment to solutions that require long-term planning and decision making.
- How consultants can make local authorities' lives easier
Local and central government work differently to the private sector. Take time to understand these differences and adapt your service offerings.
What value do consultants bring to local authorities?
I reflect back over my time with council and the value that consultants have brought is considerable; during times of crisis – response and recovery from the storms of 2023 – to ongoing support to the planning and delivery of our infrastructure.
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