Rt Hon Helen Clark
Prime Minister of New Zealand
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage

8 May 2006 Media Statement

Chairs appointed to four cultural and heritage boards

Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Helen Clark today announced the appointment of four new chairs of cultural and heritage boards:

- John Judge as Chair of Te Papa Tongarewa Board for a 3-year term

- Diana Fenwick as Chair of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra for a 3-year term

- Dr Ngahuia Te Awekotuku as Chair of Te Waka Toi Board for a 3-year term.

- Christopher Doig as Chair of the Council of Creative New Zealand for a 3-year term

"I am pleased that John Judge, experienced board member and Chief Executive of Ernst Young (NZ) Ltd, has accepted the position of Chair of Te Papa Tongarewa, to replace Dr Roderick Deane," Helen Clark said.

"I also want to acknowledge Diana Fenwick’s contribution to the NZSO Board as a member and as acting chair following the retirement of Sir Selwyn Cushing. Thanks to the efforts of Sir Selwyn and his board and the successful NZSO international tour in 2005, the Orchestra is in good heart.

"Dr Ngahuia Te Awekotuku will take over from Elizabeth Ellis as Chair of Te Waka Toi Board of Creative New Zealand, the body which allocates funds to Māori creative artists throughout New Zealand.

“Dr Te Awekotuku’s two terms on the Council of Creative New Zealand have given her a wide-ranging understanding of the creative arts world and her extensive research and knowledge of Māori tikanga and culture will bring a strong advocacy to Māori arts.

"Christopher Doig is widely respected for his contribution and commitment to arts and sports agencies, as an opera singer, as CEO of Cricket New Zealand and as a board member and chair of several operatic and sports bodies."

Helen Clark paid tribute to Peter Biggs, outgoing Chair of the Creative New Zealand Council.

“These four appointments will add to the already excellent governance management of arts and heritage agencies. All four have developed their governance skills in Crown entity boards and I am pleased that they have agreed to share their expertise with the boards they will be chairing,” Helen Clark said.

ENDS

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

John Judge has been a senior financial and taxation consultant for 20 years. He is the Chief Executive of Ernst & Young New Zealand and brings strong business skills to the Board. John Judge has worked with Ernst & Young since 1983, becoming Chief Executive in 1995. John also serves as director of a number of publicly-listed companies and sits on the boards of Te Papa and the City Gallery Wellington Foundation Trust.

Diana Fenwick has been a member of the board of the NZSO since August 2001 and is involved as a 'mentor' to individuals and organisations, particularly in relation to the arts. She is a member of the Aotea Centre Performing Arts Trust, the NZSO Foundation Trust Board, and an executive member of Arts Advocates Auckland.

Ms Fenwick is also a director of a private company and trustee of a private trust. She has a strong commitment to music and the arts.

Dr Ngahuia Te Awekotuku (Te Arawa) is a writer and academic, and Professor of Psychology at Waikato University. She has an extensive background in the arts, as a curator, lecturer and critic. Her fiction and non-fiction appear in publications both locally and overseas. She has been an active and enthusiastic advocate in the cultural sector for more than 30 years, and is interested in kapa haka, visual and performance art, and new literature.

Christopher Doig OBE (Christchurch) has extensive governance experience within the arts sector. He has been a board member of Opera NZ and is patron to Canterbury Opera Friends and Canterbury Symphony Orchestra Friends. Christopher spent 13 years as a professional opera singer before becoming involved in the sport sector when he was appointed Chief Executive of New Zealand Cricket, a position he held for six years.

Since then he has been involved in marketing and sponsorship and has recently
found time to get back into concerts and opera.

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