By Deanna Harris
A range of “high calibre” Aucklanders have been selected as the directors and chairs for the new Auckland super city Council Controlled Organisations (CCOs).
Among those selected for the 31 roles out of over 200 nominations include Sir Don McKinnon, Mayor of Waitakere Bob Harvey, current chief executive of Auckland Transition Agency, Mark Ford, and Patron of the Arts, Jenny Gibbs.
Minister for Local Government Rodney Hide says those chosen are the elite in their respective fields, and testament to the quality of structure and organisation the new Auckland Council represents.
"The Government has been fortunate in being able to appoint men and women of such high calibre. In New Zealand, we have a small, but rich, pool of talent, and these are people whose talents would be welcome anywhere in the world. What is more, they are all Aucklanders," he said.
"This CCO team has extensive experience in a multitude of sectors, from finance to diplomacy. It includes a solid foundation of eleven people who have experience in working on the boards of the Auckland region's existing CCOs.”
CCO’s are seven business units set up by the Government to run about 75 percent of the council services.
Water, waterfront development and transport will all be governed by CCOs. The Auckland Transport CCO will have a budget of more than half the total rates take – or $650 million.
View photos of CCO chairs here.
A further four CCOs are being established to run council investments; economic development; tourism and events; and major regional facilities and property holdings.
The appointment of Mark Ford who will chair the Auckland Transport has been welcomed by Transport Minister Steven Joyce.
Auckland Transport will replace the nine separate existing transport entities across the city.
“Given the role and functions of Auckland Transport, it is imperative to ensure the board has a good mix of commercial, infrastructure and local government experience,” says Mr Joyce.
“I'm also pleased with the continuity that will be brought to the table by having both the current and former chairs of Auckland Regional Transport Authority serving on the new board.”
Mr Ford has previously worked as the chief executive of Watercare Service Ltd, chair of Auckland Transport Authority, chief executive of Auckland Regional Services Trust, chair of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority, chief executive of New Zealand Forestry Corporation and member on the board for the Ports of Auckland Ltd.
The appointments are for a term of between one and three years.
Each director will be paid between $35,000 - $52,000 per year, deputy chairs will receive between $43,750 - $66,625 and chairs will be paid between $70,000 - $105,000.
The Auckland Council will be able to appoint between one and three additional directors to each of the boards once the council is established.
"The new CCO directors will be effective from November 1, ensuring that the Auckland Council will be ready for business from the start.
"We only have to wait for the October election and the new Auckland Council will be up and running under a single Council and mayor, working to help Auckland reach its potential," says Mr Hide.
AUDIO:
RadioLIVE's Marcus Lush talks with Local Government
Minister Rodney Hide about the appointment of Auckland Super City Council
Controlled Directors and Chairs.
The new directors and chairs of the CCOs are as follows:
Auckland Council Investments Ltd and Auckland International Airport Limited
chair Simon Allen, deputy chair Miriam Dean and director Candis Craven.
Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development Ltd chair David McConnell, deputy chair Peter Drummond and directors Norman Thompson, John Law and Vivien Bridgwater.
Regional Facilities Auckland chair Sir Don McKinnon, deputy chair Dame Jenny Gibbs and directors Hugh Burrett, Peter, Derek Dallow and Rukumoana Tira Marie Schaafhausen.
Auckland Council Property Ltd chair Sir John Wells, deputy chair Richard Aitken and directors Anne Blackburn, Peter Wall and Tukoroirangi Morgan.
Auckland Waterfront Development Agency Ltd chair Bob Harvey, deputy chair Adrienne Young Cooper and directors Kerry Stotter, Ngarimu Blair and Terry Kayes.
Auckland Transport chair Mark Ford, deputy chair Philippa Dunphy and directors Rabin Rabindran, Dr Ian Parton and Paul Lockey.
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