22 July 2004

Media Statement

New Directors for New Zealand Railways Corporation

The Chair of the New Zealand Railways Corporation, Cameron Moore, and current directors Lex Henry and Linda Constable today welcomed the appointment of Mike Williams, Ray Potroz and the Hon Dr Clive Matthewson to the board.

“The Corporation faces demanding challenges as it assumes the role of the Crown Agency responsible for maintaining and operating New Zealand’s rail infrastructure. The new directors’ experiences in business, technology, industrial relations and government processes bring extra dimensions to the Corporation that will be invaluable in meeting these challenges”.

Background:

The Railways Corporation historically managed the Crown’s interest in rail-related land and residual issues. However, with the completion of the purchase by the Crown of New Zealand’s rail infrastructure from Toll New Zealand on 30 June 2004 the Corporation now becomes the Crown agency that manages these assets in the future.

Currently Toll continues to manage the rail network under transition arrangements agreed with the Crown.

Mike Williams

Mike Williams is a director of the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences, Genesis Power and Transit New Zealand. He brings a both a commercial and technology perspective to the board plus, through his involvement with Transit New Zealand, a strong understanding of the New Zealand land transport strategy.

Ray Potroz

Ray Potroz is a director of the Accident Compensation Commission and the Union Medical Benefit Society. Up until 2003 he was the National Secretary of the New Zealand Dairy Workers Union. He brings a strong awareness of industrial relations and Crown governance to the board.

Hon Dr Clive Matthewson

Clive Matthewson is the Director of Development at the University of Otago and a former Cabinet Minister. He has a PhD in Civil Engineering and is a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Professional Engineers. He brings important engineering expertise to the board.

ENDS

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