![\"Jason](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/4JUROAM_SUP150126MARRIS_jpg.jpeg\")
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\nJason Marris’s tenure also spanned Cyclone Gabrielle, the Mangawhai tornado and significant government reform.
\nPhoto: Supplied\n<\/p>\n
The Kaipara District’s chief executive has resigned after three-and-a-half years at the helm of the controversial council.<\/p>\n
Jason Marris’s time in the top job spanned Cyclone Gabrielle, the Mangawhai tornado and significant government reform – as well as the three-year term of outspoken former mayor Craig Jepson<\/a> and a flurry of headlines about a karakia ban, the abolition of M\u0101ori wards, and complaints about last year’s election.<\/p>\n New Mayor Jonathan Larsen said he accepted Marris’s resignation earlier this week.<\/p>\n Marris was the council’s general manager for three and a half years before becoming interim chief executive in October 2022, then taking on the permanent role in February 2023.<\/p>\n Larsen thanked Marris for his work for the Kaipara District, and said the council would now start the process of recruiting a new chief executive.<\/p>\n He said Marris brought roading services back in-house, navigated a Long Term Plan focused on recovery from extreme weather events, and oversaw key programmes including hundreds of millions of dollars in capital works across the district.<\/p>\n Marris said the decision to leave was extremely difficult but he believed the time was right for a change.<\/p>\n “It’s 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. Kaipara will always have a special place in my heart.”<\/p>\n His last day at the council will be 10 April.<\/p>\n