New CEO announced for New Zealand Walking Access Commission

New CEO announced for New Zealand Walking Access Commission

Eric Pyle has been appointed as the new chief executive of the New Zealand Walking Access Commission.

Mr Pyle is the current chief executive of the New Zealand Wind Energy Association (NZWEA) and will take up his role at the Commission on 29 February.

Prior to his time at the helm of NZWEA, Mr Pyle was the Director of Environmental and Social Development at the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology. He has also held senior positions at the Royal New Zealand Forest and Bird Protection Society, World-Wide Fund for Nature (NZ), Ministry for the Environment and the Department of Conservation.

Commission chairman John Forbes said the organisation was looking forward to welcoming Mr Pyle at the end of the month.

“Eric’s skills, knowledge, passion and experience stood out amongst what was an impressive group of candidates for the role. I am confident the Commission will continue to go from strength to strength under his leadership.”

Mr Pyle said he was looking forward to joining the Commission and building on the achievements of its first seven years.

“I grew up in a tramping family and we regularly enjoyed the Tongariro National Park, Kaimanawas, Mt Taranaki and family holidays into other wilderness areas around New Zealand,” Mr Pyle said.

“Access to the outdoors is one of the defining things about being a New Zealander and a very important part of our culture and national identify. It is a pleasure to be joining the Commission that has a very long term vision for access to the outdoors.”

Mr Pyle will replace outgoing chief executive Mark Neeson, who has been with the Commission since 2009.

ENDS

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