Pay bump for Thames-Coromandel council boss

The chief executive of Thames-Coromandel District Council has received a 1.8 per cent pay rise, with the committee responsible praising her “strong leadership” during what they said was a particularly challenging year.
Aileen Lawrie has served as the council’s chief executive since August, 2022, following 12 years in the same role at Ōpōtiki District Council. Before Ōpōtiki, she was employed by Bay of Plenty Regional Council and Environment Canterbury.
With the 1.8 per cent adjustment, Ms Lawrie’s annual salary has shifted from $362,500 to $369,025.
Chair of the Chief Executive Committee for Thames-Coromandel District Council, John Morrissey, said Ms Lawrie had excelled in most of her Key Performance Indicators for 2024/25, and the pay increase reflected her strong leadership.
“We give the pay review to a company called Strategic Pay, who are an organisation that looks at CEO’s pay rises,” councillor Morrissey told The Profile.
“They compare various organisations with similar numbers of staff, similar sizes, and come up with a figure, and the average in the market was 1.8 per cent, so that’s how we got the 1.8 per cent increase for Aileen.”
Cr Morrissey said the pay rise was “standard procedure for any organisational business,” and the review was conducted as part of an annual assessment of the chief executive’s performance and salary.
He said the council was “lucky to have her”.
“Aileen is one of New Zealand’s most experienced local government leaders, and her expertise has been invaluable to the council throughout her tenure, especially during the last 12 months as we’ve navigated a myriad of changes and recovery work.
“Her leadership has delivered positive outcomes for our community amidst significant challenges.”
Cr Morrissey said Ms Lawrie had successfully managed major projects driven by central government initiatives, including water reforms, resource management changes, rating reviews, and Cyclone Gabrielle recovery efforts.
“I enjoy working with Aileen, we have a good relationship, and I’m very impressed with her contacts in the local government sector,” he said. “She’s held in high regard everywhere I’ve been.”