New Metrowater Directors Appointed

Mayor of Auckland City Chris Fletcher yesterday announced the appointment of new directors to the board of Metrowater Limited and Auckland City Holding Company Limited (ACHL).

Mrs Fletcher says she is very pleased with the exceptional quality of the three new appointments to the Metrowater Board who will also serve as directors of ACHL.

"Council has taken the opportunity to conduct a comprehensive review of the composition of the Metrowater board. Since the company’s formation two years ago the time has come to adjust the focus of Metrowater and bring in some new skills," said Chris Fletcher.

The new appointments are: Mrs Pamela Jefferies, Professor John Craig and Dr Pare Keiha. Councillor Jon Olsen has also been re-appointed.

A further change has been the appointment of Mr Bob Wakelin, Auckland City Director of Enterprise Service replacing Chief Executive Mr Bryan Taylor on the Metrowater Board. Mr Taylor will remain on the Board of ACHL.

A working party of Councillors was established in July to develop a process to review the composition of the Metrowater board and recruit new board members following the resignation of two Councillors.

Mrs Fletcher says the working party developed a list of 12 core competencies to achieve a balance of skills and ensure a high quality of governance. The recruitment search undertaken produced candidates of the highest calibre who could fulfil the competence criteria.

"Particular emphasis has been placed on environmental issues and consumer and community advocacy," said Chris Fletcher.

"The new appointments have achieved an excellent blend of skills, which I expect will deliver a significant improvement in Metrowaters performance in these areas," she said.

Mrs Pamela Jefferies has been Chief Commissioner with the Human Rights Commission since 1994, is a chartered Accountant, and member of the NZ Institute of Directors. She is also a Director of the Bank of New Zealand and Red Cross Society of NZ and has previously held extensive directorships and board memberships. Mrs Jefferies previous experience includes holding the position of Practice Manager for two laws firms. She has an international reputation as a spokesperson on human rights, with extensive experience in community advocacy and financial management.

Professor John Craig is Head of the School of Environmental and Marine Sciences at Auckland University and has a doctorate in Ecology. He has held a range of academic and administrative positions at Auckland University and is currently chairman of natural Step Foundation of New Zealand. Professor Craig has receive the Distinguished Award from the Society of Conservation Biology, is extensively published with expertise encompassing urban sustainability and management and bio-diversity conservation.

Dr Pare Keiha is Head of the Faculty of Maori Development at the Auckland Institute of Technology and a Director of Waitemate Health Ltd. He has a Doctorate in Chemical Engineering along with Masters Degrees in Commercial Law, Business Administration and Science. Dr Keiha is an advisor to a number of Maori enterprises and has previously been self-employed as a management consultant.

Mrs Fletcher says the new board members bring experience and expertise that will compliment the present Metrowater board’s skill base.

"I look forward to the positive impact the new directors with a wider a skill base will have on bringing a new approach to the management of Auckland City’s water and wastewater company," she said.

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