Twenty Eight Vie for Directorships on New Rotorua Economic Development Board
ROTORUA07.05.12: Rotorua District Council has received 28 applications for seven places on the board of directors of its new economic
development CCO (Council Controlled Organisation). The CCO board will comprise an independent chair and six directors,
and will appoint its own CEO and staff.
Eighteen of the applicants are from Rotorua and 10 from out-of-town - six from Auckland, two from Tauranga, one from
Wellington and one from Australia.
Rotorua Mayor Kevin Winters said that he was impressed with the breadth of experience and skill sets of candidates
putting their names forward.
“I’m very encouraged by the very high level of commitment these 28 applicants have shown to Rotorua. By putting their
hands up to work with the council and our community partners they are demonstrating real confidence that our city is
well positioned to achieve higher levels of economic performance.
“The process from here is for our selection panel to develop a shortlist and then conduct interviews. It‘s our hope to
appoint a chairperson first so that he or she can then join the selection panel when we interview for the remaining six
director positions.”
The selection panel will be made up of council, private sector business and Te Arawa representatives.
Mr Winters said the key focus of the CCO’s board of directors will be driving implementation of the recently developed
Rotorua Sustainable Economic Growth Strategy.
“This will include promotion of local economic development programmes and alignment with complementary regional and
national economic development initiatives.
“We expect the CCO to become a key influencer of Rotorua's economic transformation and to make a strong contribution to
our district’s vision ‘ROTORUA - Living the dream. World class in every way’,” he said.
Mr Winters said he anticipated the board recruitment process being completed by the end of June and the CCO’s first
board meeting taking place in July.
ENDS