Chris Dyhrberg appointed founding CE of Central Districts Water
Published on June 29, 2026
Central Districts Water has appointed Chris Dyhrberg as its founding Chief Executive, marking a significant milestone as the new organisation moves closer to operating in a years’ time.
Central Districts Water will be the new publicly owned water services organisation established by Horowhenua District Council, Palmerston North City Council and Rangitīkei District Council to deliver drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services across the three districts from July 2027.
Created as part of the Government's Local Water Done Well reforms, the organisation will provide safe, reliable and sustainable water services while remaining locally owned, community focused and accountable to the councils and communities it serves. Central Districts Water is committed to protecting water as a taonga, safeguarding public health and making the long-term investments needed to ensure resilient water services for future generations.
Over the past year, Mr Dyhrberg has led the establishment of Central Districts Water as Executive Director, overseeing the transition programme on behalf of the three councils. Working closely with councils, iwi partners, staff and stakeholders, he has guided the work required to establish the organisation, and will now lead it into its operational phase as Chief Executive.
Mr Dyhrberg, who holds degrees in Law and Commerce, brings more than 30 years' experience across local government, infrastructure, telecommunications, energy and health. Alongside leading the establishment of Central Districts Water, he has served as Deputy Chief Executive of Palmerston North City Council and has previously held the roles of Acting Chief Executive, Chief Customer Officer and Chief Infrastructure Officer, with responsibility for major infrastructure planning and delivery, customer and regulatory services, emergency management and organisational performance.
Prior to joining local government, Mr Dyhrberg held senior roles with Spark New Zealand and Chorus, leading large-scale national infrastructure and network delivery programmes across broadband, mobile and utilities networks. He also brings significant governance experience, including nine years as a director of Electra Limited, the electricity network company serving the Kāpiti and Horowhenua districts, where he chaired the Health and Safety Committee and served as a director of subsidiary companies.
Board Chair Steve Maharey said the Board was delighted to appoint a leader who had already played a defining role in shaping the organisation.
"Chris has the rare combination of having led the beginning of the establishment of Central Districts Water while bringing more than three decades of experience in major infrastructure organisations and delivering essential public services. The Board is confident he is the right person to lead Central Districts Water into its next chapter."
Mr Maharey said Central Districts Water had been established with a clear purpose: to provide high-quality water services while strengthening the long-term resilience of the region.
"Central Districts Water has been created to ensure our communities continue to receive safe, reliable water services while investing for the future and protecting the resources on which we all depend. This organisation has been built on partnership. Our three shareholder councils have shown leadership by working together with iwi to create a strong, capable organisation focused on doing the best for the communities it serves. Chris understands our relationships with our shareholders, iwi and communities are every bit as important as the infrastructure itself."
Mr Dyhrberg said it had been a privilege to help establish Central Districts Water and he was honoured to be appointed its founding Chief Executive.
"Helping with the establishment of Central Districts Water has been one of the highlights of my career. Building an organisation around a clear purpose from day one has meant every decision has been guided by protecting public health, caring for water as a taonga and delivering services our communities can trust. We've built strong foundations over the past year, and I'm excited to lead an organisation that continues to strengthen its partnerships with councils, iwi and communities."
Mr Dyhrberg said Central Districts Water's greatest strength would be its people.
"Our water staff across the three councils bring decades of knowledge and experience delivering these essential services to our communities. They will be central to Central Districts Water's success. While I already know many of the Palmerston North team well, I'm looking forward to spending more time with our Horowhenua and Rangitīkei crews and, together, building an organisation our communities can rely on for generations to come."
Mr Dyhrberg’s start date at CDW is still to be confirmed, but likely early August.
About Central Districts Water
Central Districts Water is the publicly owned water services organisation jointly owned by Horowhenua District Council, Palmerston North City Council and Rangitīkei District Council. The organisation is responsible for delivering drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services across the three districts, working in partnership with iwi and local communities to provide safe, reliable and sustainable water services.