24 July, 2013.
Northland Inc’s new CEO appointed
The director of an Auckland university’s research institute and a specialist in economic development has been appointed
as Northland Inc’s new Chief Executive Officer.
David Wilson, who since 2007 has been director of the Institute of Public Policy at AUT University, will take up his new
Whangarei-based role leading the regional economic development agency and tourism organisation on Monday 09 September.
Northland Inc Chairman Colin Mitten says the 54-year-old has led and been involved with numerous projects directly and
indirectly related to economic development both nationally and internationally and will be a fantastic asset to both the
Northland Inc team and the region as a whole.
“We’re incredibly fortunate to have secured someone like David for this role. With his background and experience he
could literally have taken his skillset to anywhere in the world, but has chosen Northland both for the work and
lifestyle opportunities it affords him.”
Mr Mitten says Mr Wilson has been involved with a wide variety of projects in local and regional economic development,
metropolitan, business and industry sector development, corporate citizenship, governance, sustainable economic and
socio-economic development.
Mr Wilson says he’s looking forward to making a hands-on contribution in Northland and already has some well-developed
links to the region, as well as a family bach at Rangiputa in the Far North. He and his wife Anna, a family doctor, have
two children.
“I think Northland is primed and ready to go in terms of future economic opportunities. It has wonderful existing
natural resources, strong tourism, rural and manufacturing sectors as well as exciting development opportunities such as
in aquaculture. But most importantly Northlanders – iwi, the private and public sectors – are talking and starting to
work together. This is key in creating business and job opportunities for Northlanders; we don’t have to be in the same
waka, but we do have to be heading in the same direction.”
As director of AUT’s Institute of Public Policy, Mr Wilson designed and has been leading an academic programme dedicated
to economic development professionals. He is currently completing a PhD in regional economic development.
Mr Wilson comes from a commercial background including experience in small, medium and corporate businesses in sales,
marketing, product management and business unit management and also owned and operated his own Takapuna-based surf
retail business for 15 years.
As an academic he played a key role in the design and implementation of the ‘Metropolitan Auckland Project’ which formed
the basis for the Auckland region’s economic development plan 2006-2010. He was also on the Metro governance team and
the Auckland Regional Economic Development Forum overseeing the plan’s implementation.
Mr Wilson says his first order of business at the Council Controlled Organisation will be to get to know key
stakeholders and staff around the region to gain a greater understanding of the economic development opportunities that
they see for the region.”
In his private time, he’s a keen basketballer – both coaching and playing – who also enjoys fishing and has surfed
around the world.
He’s says looking forward to “meeting and working with down to earth, passionate and resourceful Northlanders”.
Northland Regional Council Chief Executive Officer Malcolm Nicolson will fill in as Northland Inc’s acting CEO until Mr
Wilson takes up his appointment.
ends