Three Trustees Sought For $12.3m Nrc Trust

Northlanders with business development know-how and good connections are needed to help run a $12.3 million trust fund expected to play a key role in the region’s future.

The recent expiry of the terms of two trustees – and the resignation of another - means regional economic development agency the Northland Regional Council Community Trust is now looking for three new appointees.

The eight-member trust (which operates as Enterprise Northland) was formed in 1996 with the multimillion-dollar proceeds of the sale of some of the Regional Council’s majority shareholding in the Northland Port Corporation.

Aspiring trustees may also be appointed to the trust’s two subsidiaries, regional tourism body Destination Northland Ltd (set up in 1997) and the Enterprise Northland Trust, which was established in 2002 and supports economic development and sustainable business.

Regional Council Chief Executive Officer Ken Paterson says Northland is now at a crucial point in its history and is poised to make significant regional advances across a number of key infrastructural areas, including transport, broadband access and others.

“As Northland’s regional economic development agency, the Community Trust has an integral role to play in these advances and it’s important to ensure we cast the net wide to ensure we have the best possible pool of would-be trustees to choose from.”

‘I’d like to encourage all suitably qualified and enthusiastic Northlanders who think they have something to offer to consider standing for the trust.”

Mr Paterson says of the current eight trustees, Richard Drake and Jane Hindle’s terms have now expired (although they are eligible to reapply) and a third vacancy has opened up with the resignation of Lyn Barnes, who has moved out of the region.

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The remaining trustees are:

• Accountant Andy Britton of Whangarei
• Whangarei-based business consultant Irene Durham
• Company director Rawson Wright of Whangarei
• Bill Shepherd, a Whangarei-based farmer and businessman
• Mike Simm, a company director/business consultant of Kerikeri (Chairman)

Mr Paterson says trustees meet every two months and are paid an annual $11,000 honorarium. Candidates must live in Northland and legally, can’t be employed by, or elected representatives of, any Northland local authority.

Ideally, would-be trustees should also have:

• proven business management experience
• knowledge of Maori culture and issues relating to business development
• experience in Trust operations or regional business development
• experience and expertise in strategic planning and financial management
• good networking skills and business connections.

An information pack about both the Trust itself and trustee positions is available from the Northland Regional Council. Inquiries can be directed to the Council’s Strategic Development Manager, Linda Stansfield, on (0800) 002 004.

Mr Paterson says people interested in a trustee position have until 5pm on Tuesday 4 December to submit a confidential application -including a curriculum vitae - to the Council.

Mr Paterson says the selection process will be overseen by a panel including himself and Regional Council Chairman Mark Farnsworth. The Mayors of the Kaipara, Whangarei and Far North Districts will also be invited to join the panel – or appoint someone to represent them on it.

The panel’s recommendations are expected to go to the Regional Council’s February 2008 meeting, with trustees formally taking up their appointments soon after.

ENDS

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