News Release

Monday 25 August 2014

Board appointments announced for Rotorua council business units

Rotorua District Council (RDC) has announced a number of appointments to the transition boards of two new council business units. The two units are Rotorua Contracting, and Destination Rotorua Marketing, Events, i-SITE and Venues.

Establishment of the two business units follows the recent restructuring of RDC’s operational arm to support the ‘Rotorua 2030’ vision, goals and priorities developed by Mayor Steve Chadwick and councillors in partnership with the Rotorua community.

Mayor Chadwick says the transition boards would remain in place until decisions were taken by the council on whether or not to proceed with transforming the business units into council-controlled organisations (CCOs).

“That proposal was signalled in the current annual plan but decisions won’t be made until further investigation and consultation has taken place.

"The transition board members offer an outstanding mix of skills and experience, and we’re grateful for their willingness to partner with the council to help us achieve our Rotorua 2030 goals and priorities."

The Rotorua Contracting business unit incorporates the council’s Castlecorp maintenance and works department, plant nursery and landfill, and is headed by interim chief executive Thomas Collé.

The business unit is expected to provide a range of quality, cost-effective services including works, utilities, city cleaning, refuse, parks operations, vehicle fleet management, plant propagation and landfill management. It is also tasked with building a diversified income base by developing existing and new business opportunities, including new business outside of the district.

Rotorua Contracting transition board members are:

- Leith Comer, chairperson (former CEO Te Puni Kokiri / Ministry of Maori Development)
- Ian Boyd (CEO Te Arawa Group Holdings Ltd)
- Jan Bolton (owner Kaingaroa Roading Contractors Ltd)
- Israel Hawkins (director WERA Consultants Ltd)
- Dave Foster (Rotorua District Council chief financial officer)

Mark Rawson has been appointed interim chief executive of the Destination Rotorua Marketing, Events, i-SITE and Venues business unit. The unit’s key purpose is to support Rotorua 2030 aspirations by providing visitor industry leadership, encouraging public and private sector partnerships, generating destination marketing and PR activity, and providing venues, events and visitor services that enrich Rotorua’s community, tourism industry and economy.

Transition board members for Destination Rotorua Marketing, Events, i-SITE and Venues business unit are:

- Alan Bickers, chairperson (management consultant, professional director, former local government manager)
- Bruce Thomasen (general manager Skyline Enterprises)
- Brett Marvelly (owner/operator Princes Gate hotel)
- Tim Cossar (Te Puia CEO)
- Kiri Atkinson-Crean (co-chair Maori in Tourism Rotorua; sales & marketing GM, Te Puia)
- Dave Foster (RDC chief financial officer)

Council chief financial officer, Dave Foster, who is a member of both transition boards, said the appointments had been discussed with and endorsed by the mayor and councillors.

“The boards and business units are responsible directly to the council chief executive, Geoff Williams. Mr Williams has provided board members with a ‘letter of expectation’ which sets out each business units’ purpose, targets, communication protocols, relationships with the council, and performance and reporting requirements,” he said.

ENDS

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