She hoped he moved to a company that valued him and all he brought to the table.
“He’s such a nice guy. All the best Jase as you transition out of this enormous role,” Connelly said.
Marris is one of four council chief executives on the executive of Taituirā, New Zealand’s local government leadership excellence group that has about 1000 members.
Marris is also Taituirā northern branch president, representing five upper North Island councils – KDC, Far North District Council, Whangārei District Council and Auckland Council.
Marris’ profile on Taituirā’s website states he is passionate about democracy and ensuring governance professionals made a positive impact on decision-making.
A Northland corporate professional with lengthy links to local government said Marris’ departure was a pity for Kaipara.
“Local government is a complex space. Critically, he played a strong leadership role within that space,” the professional, who did not want to be named, said.
She said Marris had been an asset to local government in the district.
“He led Kaipara with a steady hand in some complex situations.”
Marris’ time at the KDC helm has included Cyclone Gabrielle, the Mangawhai rainfall event and the Mangawhai tornado, as well as significant government reform.
KDC chief executive Jason Marris puts the council mayoral chains on Kaipara Mayor Jonathan Larsen at his November 2025 inauguration in Matakohe. Photo / Susan Botting
His general career started in the Royal New Zealand Air Force. He then spent time at the New Zealand Embassy in Washington DC, supporting New Zealand’s military attache network in the United States.
Marris’ almost two decades in local government has focused on governance management and leadership.
It started in 2007 at the then Auckland City Council’s democracy services
Marris became the Auckland Council’s governance support manager in 2010, working alongside new mayor Len Brown at the start of this term.
He gained a Master of Public Management through Victoria University in 2014.
In 2015, he was appointed Whangārei District Council governance manager.
Marris then became KDC’s general manager engagement and transformation for several years.
In October 2022, he was appointed KDC interim chief executive before securing the role permanently four months later.
During Marris’ time as KDC chief executive he has been involved with three elections, a Long Term Plan focused on recovery from extreme weather events, a new proposed District Plan, two water service delivery models, the reintegration of council roading services back into the organisation and the delivery of many other key programmes and hundreds of millions of dollars in capital works across the district.
Marris said his decision to leave the role was a difficult one but the time was right for a change.
“It has been my absolute privilege to lead an organisation of so many highly skilled people who care so deeply about the community. I feel incredibly proud of the work that’s been achieved in my time here,” Marris said.
“Kaipara will always have a special place in my heart.”
Marris leaves KDC on April 10.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.