Executive Team

Shayne has been Chief Executive of Manawatū District Council since 2019. He is responsible for the overall leadership and performance of the organisation, working closely with the Mayor and elected members to deliver on Council’s priorities and serve the Manawatū community.

Born in Palmerston North, Shayne attended Palmerston North Boys High School. He brings extensive public sector experience to the role serving for 23 years in the New Zealand Army across both the Regular and Territorial Forces, before transitioning into local government. He went on to spend 17 years at Palmerston North City Council, where he progressed from Building Officer to Development Services Manager prior to joining Manawatū District Council in 2008 as the Services Group Manager which later became General Manager - Corporate and Regulatory.

Shayne’s leadership is shaped by his background in both military and local government environments, with a strong focus on accountability, service delivery, and organisational performance. He is committed to ensuring Council is well-positioned to meet current needs while planning for the future of the Manawatū district.

Lyn joined the Manawatū District Council in November 2021 as the General Manager - Community. This role involves leading community facing services that includes: community facilities, parks and reserves, community and economic development initiatives, regulatory services, and Council organisations.

Of Ngāi Tahu decent, Lyn grew up on a sheep farm in Southland where her family also trained and bred racehorses. Lyn owned her own event management and community engagement business and has held senior roles in the media, electricity, local government, and in health.

Lyn moved to the Manawatū with her husband in 2013 following a period working in the UK. Lyn lives in Feilding with her husband and their two boys also live and work locally. Lyn’s into gardening, renovating, travel, music, spending time with whānau, learning Te Reo, and walking the dog. Lyn aims to become more familiar with her mountain bike.

Hamish joined Manawatū District Council in May 2011 as General Manager - Infrastructure. He oversees the delivery and management of core services including the district’s roading network, water supply, wastewater and stormwater systems, as well as solid waste and recycling operations. He also oversees Council’s Civil Defence and Emergency Management functions and is a Local Controller.

A sixth-generation local, Hamish attended Taonui School and Feilding Agricultural High School. He holds a Bachelor of Applied Science and a Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Science, specialising in Resource Management and Environmental Engineering, and later completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management.

Hamish has extensive experience across both New Zealand and the United Kingdom. He worked as a consultant in the dairy industry with the New Zealand Dairy Group and later Fonterra. He spent five years in London working across three borough councils in infrastructure project management, programme delivery, and business improvement. On returning to New Zealand, he held a regional leadership role with Downer New Zealand before joining the Manawatu District Council.

Hamish is focused on delivering reliable, safe, and efficient infrastructure services to the Manawatu community. He brings a strong delivery focus to his role, while driving positive environmental outcomes and improvements in how infrastructure is planned and delivered ensuring it meets current needs while supporting the district into the future.

Frances joined Manawatū District Council in August 2016 and is now the General Manager - Corporate. She leads teams including IT, Information Management, GIS, Iwi-Māori Liaison, Customer Services, Communication and Engagement, Governance, Risk and Strategy, supporting the organisation’s systems, services and strategic direction.

Originally from Halcombe, Frances holds degrees in Human Resources and Operations Management from the University of Canterbury. She began her career at Palmerston North City Council as an HR Advisor before heading overseas on her OE. Based in London, she worked across central government, the private sector and local government, including at the City of London Corporation.

Frances lives just outside Feilding with her husband on a lifestyle block. Weekends are spent planting trees, working in the garden, and keeping up with their collection of animals, including chickens, ducks, cats and sheep. Each year, they take on one of New Zealand’s Great Walks, enjoying getting out and experiencing the beauty and breadth of our country.