Ngai Tahu reappoints key directors
Key directors at Ngai Tahu’s commercial arm have been reappointed signalling stable relations between the tribe and the corporation.
Trevor Burt was yesterday reappointed as chair of Ngai Tahu Holdings Corporation and Catherine Drayton reappointed as a director of the commercial arm also.
Both appointments are for another three years.
Ngai Tahu Holdings run commercial businesses on behalf of the tribe-based Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu (Tront).
Barry Bragg, a Solid Energy executive, and a director of Ngai Tahu Property, was appointed its chair replacing Linda Constable who is retiring.
Ngai Tahu Property is a subsidiary of the holdings group of companies that also includes seafood and tourism divisions.
Bragg, a chartered accountant, is of Whanau o Apanui, Whakatohea and Ngai Tahu descent. He was recently appointed resources group manager at state-owned coal miner Solid Energy.
Ross Keenan was continuing as chair for Ngai Tahu Tourism and Brian Rhoades was continuing as chair for Ngai Tahu Seafood.
Tront kaiwhakahaere Mark Solomon said stable and dependable decision-making and leadership was a hallmark of the suite of directors.
‘‘We have seen shareholder equity continue to increase almost seamlessly even in the face of such economic hurdles as the global financial crisis and earthquake disruption. This says something about the calibre of our people,’’ Solomon said yesterday.
During the year to June 30, 2011, Ngai Tahu Holdings assets under management have increased by $13.15 million to $666.38m.
Burt said Ngai Tahu’s commercial arm will increasingly take on more people from the tribe as directors.
Further changes were being made to the subsidiary boards, given there was several appointments originally made three years ago. Announcements of these new appointments would be made in the near future. He said there would be further emphasis on bringing in iwi members to the mix.
‘‘If I looked at what I would be planning to do over the next three years [it] is to continue to build that capability of commercial governance of Ngai Tahu family members. I would look to develop them as they come through . . . to go on to some of our subsidiary boards.’’