Ngati Porou Forests Ltd appoints new CEO

MEDIA RELEASE
June 22, 2007

Ngati Porou Forests Ltd appoints new CEO

The Chairman of Ngati Porou Forests, Whaimutu Dewes, is pleased to announce the appointment of Bill Wheeler to the position of Chief Executive Officer. This follows an extensive national search for a candidate who would lead the next stage of the company’s strategy.

Bill Wheeler is currently based in Rotorua where he is Forest Manager, Crown Forestry for the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

Whaimutu Dewes says “Bill has a proven professional and practical background with significant experience and expertise including over twenty years in the forestry sector. He is very familiar with managing forestry contracts and providing advisory and management services for local Maori Lease forests and residual New Zealand Forest Service forests.”

“We believe Bill will continue to develop the company’s operating structure with a team that has strong relationships with Ngati Porou Forest Ltd partners, land owners, government agencies and other key stakeholders. Over the last ten years he has worked with people in forestry on the East Coast, including Ngati Porou Forests Ltd employees, and he is committed to building on these relationships to enhance the company’s business,” says Whaimutu Dewes.

Bill Wheeler has a Bachelor of Forestry science degree from Christchurch University and a Graduate Diploma in Business Studies from Massey University.

“I am honoured to accept the position of Chief Executive with Ngati Porou Forests Ltd and I look forward to leading an organisation which serves the land owners and business partners” says Bill Wheeler. “Ngati Porou Forests Ltd has a great reputation for its innovation and commercial initiatives which I hope to progress in the future”.

Bill Wheeler and his family look forward to settling on the East Coast. He takes up his new role as CEO on the 16th July, 2007.

ENDS

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