AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL MEDIA RELEASE

22 December 2006

Ross Keenan appointed Metrowater chairperson

Auckland City has appointed Ross Keenan as the new chairperson of Metrowater.

Mr Keenan has extensive management and governance experience in the finance, transport and infrastructure sectors. He currently serves on a number of boards, including as deputy chairperson of the three district health boards in the Auckland region, chairperson of Cabletalk Group Limited and Allied Workforce Group, and a director of Ngai Tahu Holdings. He was also on the board of Watercare Services Limited, but has resigned to take up the Metrowater position.

Mr Keenan, who will start his new role on 8 January 2007, replaces Michael Stiassny who resigned last month after eight years as chairperson of Metrowater. Auckland City wishes to thank Mr Stiassny for his contribution to the success of the company.

Metrowater was established in 1997 to provide the focus and long-term planning necessary to ensure the city's water and wastewater networks are managed in a cost-effective, environmentally sound and sustainable way. It is a council-controlled organisation, 100 per cent owned by Auckland City.

Metrowater operates as a separate entity, with its own board of directors and constitution, but is directly responsible to Auckland City and ratepayers. It provides retail water and wastewater services on a user pays basis to almost 420,000 customers in over 130,000 homes and businesses. Ends

ENDS

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