Media release: November 28, 2016

Experienced Picton businessman drawn to whale conservation trust

Picton’s National Whale Centre Trust (NWC) has welcomed senior local businessman, David Brown, as a new trustee.

Mr Brown is a past company director and chair of many companies in a broad industry range covering transport, property, finance, technology, consultancy, heavy equipment, engineering, manufacturing and port operations.

He was managing director of publicly-listed diversified company Amuri Corporation for 15 years. He was a director of Port Marlborough for six years until 2014 and has previously served on the boards of Gough Holdings, technology company Acclipse, consulting company Maven, and Tulloch Transport among others.

Mr Brown is a current trustee of BTC Foundation Nelson, the Hope Charitable Trust, and Picton Emergency Operations Centre. Mr Brown is also the current chair of Link Pathway Trust – building walking/running/mountain-biking pathway between Picton and Havelock.

“We couldn’t have wished for a more suitable and capable board member. David brings immense business and governance experience to our ranks. He has a strong affinity with this region and its marine environment,” comments Nick Gerritsen, chair of the National Whale Centre Trust.

Mr Gerritsen says the new appointment comes at an exciting time for the NWC Trust.

“Our numbers continue to impress, and in fact put pressure on our current space, and we continue to receive fantastic response from our visitors. Over the next year we plan to start expanding the experience available at the display Hub and dip our toe into establishing our initial national footprint.”

Mr Brown says he was keen to be involved in the National Whale Centre Trust because he wanted to be part of a professional and passionate group of people who are at the forefront of developing a New Zealand-wide, growing organisation with a topical as well as a historical focus.

“Participation as a trustee in the National Whale Centre vision, which not only communicates the historical significance of whaling in NZ, but also promotes conservation and education in a visual, tactile and interactive manner is very appealing.

“As a nationwide organisation with its hub in Picton, the NWC has the potential to further propel New Zealand onto the world stage, and is certainly a concept and vision I'm very keen to support,” he concludes.

-ENDS-

About the National Whale Centre Trust

While acknowledging the historical importance of whaling in the area, the National Whale Centre focuses on future conservation of whale populations globally.

The NWC is New Zealand’s only institute which focuses exclusively on cetaceans (whales and dolphins). The NWC display and development hub on Picton’s foreshore currently acts as a physical base for the centre.

The NWC Trust aims to eventually build an iconic, interactive space on Picton’s waterfront for visitors to learn more about current whale and dolphin conservation efforts and the local area’s whaling history through temporary exhibitions and events.

The NWC project continues to gain wide support from individual supporters, visitors and a growing list of benefactors.

www.aworldwithwhales.com

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