Heavy hitters on PM’s new council
Some of the biggest names in New Zealand business will come together to advise Jacinda Ardern on how to supercharge the New Zealand economy.
Yesterday, the Prime Minister’s office announced who will sit on the newly-formed Prime Minister’s Business Advisory Council.
The members are: Air New Zealand chief executive Christopher Luxon, Rocket Lab founder Peter Beck, Bunnings New Zealand director Jacqui Coombes, professional director Barbara Chapman, Xero chief partner officer Anna Curzon, McKinsey & Company senior partner Andrew Grant, Fonterra chief executive Miles Hurrell, Pango Productions chief executive Bailey Mackey, Westpac chief executive David McLean, HW Richardson director Joc O’Donnell, NZ Steel and Bluescope executive Gretta Stephens, Kono chief executive Rachel Taulelei and Mercury chief executive Fraser Whineray.
Ardern first announced the creation of the council in August. , at which time Luxon was named as the
The council was designed to advise the Government on how to build a productive, sustainable and inclusive economy that improves the wellbeing of New Zealanders, Ardern said. ‘‘New Zealand needs a modern economy that has the investment, innovation and skills required to ensure we can all share in prosperity and opportunity in a sustainable way,’’ Ardern said. ‘‘To do that we need to work closely with business leaders, share ideas and consider solutions to overcoming barriers together.’’
A mix of six women and seven men with small to large business experience, from across New Zealand, were selected to provide advice, she said.
It was expected to meet three times a year.
It would provide high-level free and frank advice on policies that directly affect business, harness the expertise of the private sector to inform government policy, she said.
The first meeting would be on November 8.