South Port Board Director Takes Role At Council

Thursday, 17 April 2025, 7:29 pm
Article: Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter

An independent director on Bluff's port has joined the ranks of a new regional council committee which manages more than $100 million of the port's shares.

Cassandra Crowley has been appointed to Environment Southland's Investment Committee, which is in charge of the council’s majority shareholding at the southern port.

The Rotorua-based chartered accountant and lawyer has been an independent director at South Port since 2023.

Crowley holds that South Port job alongside other high-ranking positions such as chair of Southern Cross Travel Insurance and deputy chair of Waka Kotahi NZTA.

The council committee did not have an interest register set up in time for its first meeting on Tuesday, but Crowley was quick to point out her “standing interest”.

Speaking to Local Democracy Reporting, Environment Southland chair Nicol Horrell said there was no conflict of interest having her on the committee.

“At least it does give us somebody who will understand the nature of the majority shareholder’s position, but obviously that can’t sort of come into the meeting,” Horrell said.

“She’s a very experienced director and I’m sure she’ll handle any conflicts should they arise.”

The Investment Committee is the rebranded version of the South Port Subcommittee, but with a wider scope.

It will be tasked with managing the council’s 66 percent shareholding in South Port as well as maximising returns on the council’s managed fund, land, and buildings.

Horrell said the change to the committee had been in the pipeline for a couple of years.

“It’s good for the ratepayer going forward, if we can leverage our balance sheet, that's an offset against rates too which is always good.”

Horrell also felt the arrival of independent members provided stability amid potential changes in personnel due to elections.

Joining Crowley as an independent is new chair Andrew Morrison — a Southland farmer with experience in chairing agri-business.

The committee will also include councillors Eric Roy, Jeremy McPhail and Maurice Rodway.

Former members not returning under the new structure included Horrell as well as councillors Paul Evans, Jon Pemberton, Alastair Gibson, Lyndal Ludlow and Peter McDonald.

A report prepared for Tuesday’s meeting showed the council’s investment portfolio reached a peak of $34.5 million in January before reducing in value to finish at $33.4 million in March.

The nine months to 31 March saw a return on investment of 7.1%, before management fees were deducted.

Environment Southland’s South Port shares have a current market value of just over $100 million, with prices comparable to that of mid-2024.

South Port is the country's southernmost commercial deep-water port. It is governed by five independent directors and one non-independent.

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air

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