23 June 2006

ARH welcomes new Chair of Ports of Auckland Limited

Auckland Regional Holdings welcomes the recent election by his fellow Directors of Mr Gary Judd, as the new Ports of Auckland Limited Chairman, from 1 July 2006.

Chair of Auckland Regional Holdings Judith Bassett says: “Mr Judd has the full support of the 100% shareholder, as the company continues to successfully meet the challenges of a competitive market with significant ongoing globally driven market pressures.”

Mr Judd has chaired the Board of ASB Bank since 1988. He is a graduate of the University of Auckland Law School and was appointed a Queen's Counsel in 1995.

The present Chairman, Mr Neville Darrow, retires on 30 June 2006.

ENDS