Four new directors set to join Northland Inc

Four new directors have joined the agency tasked with boosting Northland’s economic performance.

The four start work with Northland Inc, the region’s economic development agency, from July.

The new directors are Carmen Howearth, Mark Osborne, Michael Lightfoot and Suzanne Duncan.

The incoming directors bring experience across tourism, government agencies, regional development, local council, manufacturing and logistics and indigenous economic development.

Northland Inc is the regional economic development agency for Taitokerau Northland.

As a council-controlled organisation, its mahi encompasses the regional tourism organisation and central government’s Regional Business Partner Network, as well a range of initiatives designed to deliver economic and social benefits across the region.

The Northland Inc team works alongside communities, iwi and hāpu, businesses and investors to identify initiatives that will strengthen, diversify, and grow Taitokerau Northland’s economy to help achieve equity and environmental sustainability.

Northland Inc board chairperson Nicole Anderson says the appointments bring valuable experience to the board.

‘‘The appointments panel were overwhelmed with the calibre of applicants for the board of directors positions, and it’s fantastic to see the wide range of knowledge and skills which our new tranche of directors will bring to our organisation, and the region.’’

The incoming tranche replace outgoing directors Jim Makaweo, Geoff Copstick and Denis Callesen, who have reached the end of their terms of directorship.

‘‘Our outgoing directors have provided invaluable input and hard work during their tenures, for which we are extremely grateful,’’ Anderson says.

‘‘Working with an economic development agency requires a passion and commitment for giving back to the entire region and its communities, which Jim, Geoff and Denis have demonstrated during their time with Northland Inc. We wish them the best for their future endeavours.’’