Anthony Howard Joins Aoraki Corporation

Media Release From Aoraki Corporation
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Christchurch, New Zealand. 27 February 2001. - Anthony Howard has joined Christchurch-based computer software company Aoraki Corporation Limited to develop the company's business partner programme for JADE.

Mr Howard will focus on shaping and growing the company's relationships with business partners, says Sir Gil Simpson, Aoraki's Founder and CEO. "These relationships are the primary means for us achieving substantial international growth for JADE.

"That someone of Anthony's calibre sees significant international potential for JADE is a great endorsement.

"He has an impressive reputation for building sound and sustainable businesses in the technology sector, and is acknowledged as being very good at identifying and leading talented people.

"Attracting someone of Anthony's quality was critical for us to take our company to the next level in terms of major international expansion, so I am delighted to announce his appointment."

Mr Howard has a track record as one of New Zealand's most successful technology sector CEOs, having lead Wang New Zealand (now gen-I) and Blue Star Business Star Business Solutions.

After beginning his career with NCR, Mr Howard moved to Wang New Zealand and rose to Chief Executive. He led the transformation of Wang New Zealand from a product company with an ailing US parent to a very successful standalone services and systems integration company that listed on the NZ Stock Exchange.

In 1997 he was appointed CEO of Blue Star Business Solutions, pulling together and rationalising eight disparate technology companies. Mr Howard also acted as a director of Blue Star Business Solutions, and has had numerous directorships in the technology sector, including being on the board of the publicly listed Advantage Group Limited.

Mr Howard will be based in Auckland, New Zealand.

CONTACTS

Greg Williamson, tel 03 365 2500, mobile 021 229 5870, gwilliamson@jade.co.nz

ABOUT AORAKI CORPORATION LIMITED

Aoraki Corporation Limited is a privately owned New Zealand company, headquartered in Christchurch. It employs 400 people in New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom. The company's founder and Chief Executive is Sir Gil Simpson.

Aoraki produces a software development suite called JADE. This suite has everything an organisation needs to build and run enterprise systems for electronic commerce.

More than 70 JADE Partners, including companies such as IBM, Pricewaterhouse Coopers, Telstra Saturn, Ernst & Young, KPMG, gen-I and Mi Services Group use JADE in their product or service offering. JADE is used in New Zealand, Australia, Japan, Singapore, Korea, India and the United Kingdom.

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