[Sunkissed]

Based on your experience as a NZ resident, have you seen many immigrants working at the city/district councils? Do the councils have a good reputation for actually improving their communities?

Thanks

[richard]

Based on your experience as a NZ resident, have you seen many immigrants working at the city/district councils?
Thanks

I work for the Christchurch Council. My team leader is English and his manager is English. My three immediate colleagues are all from the UK too.

[Asli&Mark]

I work for the same council as Richard :) and my manager is a South African and I am Turkish so it is not only English speaking nationals.

Asli

[Sunkissed]

Thanks for your answers. I browsed the job vacancy lists for several councils and was curious about the diversity of expat/citizen employees and also if the surrounding communities were satisfied with their councils.

[Supadolphin]

My hubbie and daughter both work for the council here in Hamilton. They have been good employers and supported us all as family brilliantly since we arrived. As far as services go, I would say we're pretty satisfied as ratepayers with the services although the inevitable council bashing goes on and let's face it (for all those who work for a private company - me included!) it is very different working in the public sector as opposed to private. Hubby did more or less same job in UK only working for United Utilities and says there is a huge difference. When I phone the council offices, I always find it easy to speak to someone and if you call personally there are usually reception desks on each floor with customer service teams who are very helpful. Can't comment for other areas, but I think over all most Hamiltonians are reasonably satisfied.

Debs

[richard]

..... and also if the surrounding communities were satisfied with their councils.

The Christchurch City Council runs satisfaction surveys:

http://www.ccc.govt.nz/MediaReleases/2007/August/29114518.asp

[Piabella]

Based on your experience as a NZ resident, have you seen many immigrants working at the city/district councils?

I can't speak for community happiness, but I'm working as a temp in the Engineers Department at Rotorua District Council, and it seems like about half of the staff here are immigrants - South Africa, France, India, UK and USA, Philippines, Chile and heaps of other places.

There's a lot of diversity here, and definitely not only from English speaking nations.