River Authority contracts new Funding Manager

Media Release
3 September 2012

River Authority contracts new Funding Manager

A former dairy industry water and sustainability policy manager is to carry out the role of funding manager for the Waikato River Authority.

Sean Newland, who is currently employed by Fonterra as its sustainable dairying policy manager, will contract to the Authority for three days a week in his new role.

Mr Newland will oversee the funding allocation of an estimated $6 million a year to applicants with projects to clean-up the Waikato River.

River Authority Chief Executive Bob Penter says the contracted role is a key position to help ensure best value from the clean-up projects funded by the Authority.

Mr Newland has a science background and has worked at Fonterra for the last five years.

“I am delighted to be able to bring my past experience to this new role. The health and well being of the Waikato River is of huge importance to me and I’m looking forward to working closely with those involved in clean-up projects,” he says.

The Authority is a co-governance body established between the Crown and Waikato River Iwi to restore the Waikato River. The Authority covers a catchment area of 11,000 square kilometres for New Zealand's longest river. Over the next 27 years the Authority will administer $250 million to support the achievement of its purpose.

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