Celebrating 40 years at Council
Executive Assistant, Diane Maitland (nee Nolan) has just completed 40 years of service with Westland District Council and is happily continuing on in her 41st year of service.
Diane started work full-time with the Westland County Council on the 11th of April 1983, having previously worked for 6 months at the Hokitika Borough Council in a temporary position. On the 1st of November 1989, the Westland County Council and Hokitika Borough Council amalgamated to become the Westland District Council.
“I started work with Westland County as a Typist Clerk,” says Diane, “and then at the time of amalgamations, I had to apply for a new position at Westland District Council. The role of Executive Assistant is varied and I have previously held other roles in Council, such as the Systems Administrator.”
During that time Diane has enjoyed serving under former Mayors: Durham Havill, the late John Drylie, Maureen Pugh, Mike Havill, Bruce Smith, and current Mayor Helen Lash and the elected members.
Left to right – Margaret Robinson, Diane, Jennifer Ross and Fiona Love.
“I have had the absolute pleasure of getting to know and working with so many great people – from the Hokitika Borough Council, Westland County Council, through to former and current day Westland District Council elected members and staff.
During that time technology has advanced so much from using fax machines, typewriters, and line flow printers, to Gestetner machines (a couple of which now reside up at the Westland Industrial Heritage Park) and so much more.
I have met the most amazing people who have been the best mentors you could wish for while working in Local Government. I have very fond memories of organising the Zone 5 meetings (Local Government Top of the South) when former Mayor Maureen Pugh was in office. There have been many memorable moments that I have been able to participate in, in the ever-changing environment of Local Government. Working in local government certainly has its challenges, but I go home at the end of every day knowing that I have made a difference and undertaken my job to the best of my ability.
Outside of work, I have heaps of interests that keep me busy – from a lifestyle block to being a Trustee on the Whataroa Cemetery Committee, a Trustee on the West Coast Amateur Sports Trust, life membership of the Westland Mountain Bike (previously being the Secretary of the Hokitika (Westland) Mountain Bike Club for over 20 years), Associate Member of the Whataroa RSA and Committee Member of the Lake Kaniere Scenic Triathlon. It’s such fun to come from a large South Westland farming family and to live and work in Hokitika and marry a Hokitika guy who also comes from a large family. I couldn’t do what I do, without the unwavering support from my husband Tony, daughter Lucretia and son Brandon and the Nolan and Maitland Families.”
Text: Diane Maitland
Photos: Diane Maitland and Kate Campbell
