Hon Judith Tizard
Associate Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage

6 August 2008 Media Statement

Reappointments announced for New Zealand Film Commission Board

Associate Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, Hon Judith Tizard, today announced the reappointment of Bill Birnie, Tainui Stephens and William Somerville to the Board of the New Zealand Film Commission.

Bill Birnie has been a member of the NZ Film Commission since 1 July 2000. He is Chairman and Managing Director of private equity firm, Birnie Capital Partners Limited. He is a Director of Equestrian Sports New Zealand, a Trustee of the James Wallace Arts Trust and has held previous roles as a Director of the Screen Council of New Zealand, Founding Trustee of the Wellington Stadium Trust and Deputy Chair of the then government-owned Post Bank.

Tainui Stephens (Te Rarawa) has been a member of the NZ Film Commission since 2002. An independent film-maker and director, he was formerly an Executive Producer in the Māori Programmes Department at Television New Zealand. He is past Chair of the industry sector organisation Ngā Aho Whakaari (Māori working in Film, Video and Television), and a member of the Māori Radio Spectrum Trust. Mr Stephens was a producer for the Vincent Ward feature films “River Queen” and “Rain of the Children”.

William Somerville has served on the Film Commission Board since 2002. He is former finance manager of Cinema International Corporation and was a senior partner at Price Waterhouse Coopers. His considerable governance experience includes a period as Chair of Artspace in Auckland.

“I am delighted that these members have agreed to serve another term” says Judith Tizard. “They bring with them excellent knowledge and experience in the film industry combined with financial and governance skills. I am confident the New Zealand Film Commission will be well served by their appointments”.

ENDS

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