Process of appointing boards queried

CHRISTCHURCH: The appointment of two partners of former Labour MPs to a $600 million charitable trust shows the process of appointing trust boards needs to change, a former Christchurch mayor says.

Jane Sheriff, the partner of former Labour minister Clayton Cosgrove, and Philippa Burns, wife of former Labour MP Brendon Burns, have been appointed to the Rata Foun dation board, the South Island’s largest philanthropic funder.

Former mayor Garry Moore said because trust appointments were a political process, overseen by the finance minister, they became a resting place for people affilliated with a party.

‘‘This is a $600 million fund at Rata and it needs to have a skill base around the table of people who may not necessarily be part of any political party but they will add great value at the table and I think that is what the decision should be. Not are you a member of this party?’’

Mr Moore said his concern was not about the specific appointment of Ms Sheriff and Ms Burns but the wider process at this and other trusts.

He said he put his name forward as a candidate for the trust after being shouldertapped by a Labour MP and a former National Party member, and he said that also showed the political influence on the process.

The decision on the appointments to the Rata Trust board was delegated to Associate Finance Minister David Clark by Finance Minister Grant Robertson.

Dr Clark said there was a clear and longstanding process for making appointments to community trusts. In making appointments he sought nominations from the community trusts, and the caucuses of the coalition Government.

He considered the mix of skills required, including investment knowledge and experience, strategic thinking, and legal expertise, and said his process was consistent with previous appointment rounds for community trusts.

‘‘I don’t think that being the partner of a former politician should disqualify someone from serving their local community by acting as a trustee,’’ he said.

The Rata Trust said that it, Ms Sheriff and Ms Burns had no comment. — RNZ