Forest Owner Appoints Two Experienced Directors to Board

Forest Owner Appoints Two Experienced Directors to Board

OTPP New Zealand Forest Investments Ltd has announced the appointment to its board of two highly-experienced directors, Jane Taylor and Traci Houpapa.

Company chairman Don Huse said today the new directors brought not only a wealth of governance background to the board but would also provide complementary skill sets.

“We are delighted that we have attracted two of the best-qualified directors in New Zealand to the board,” Mr Huse commented.

“Between them they bring to the table a strong track record in the primary/forestry industry sectors as well as wider governance appointments.

“We can be sure they will provide a broad perspective to governance issues,” says Don Huse.

Jane Taylor, a Queenstown-based director with a strong legal background, began her academic studies with a Bachelor in Forestry Science degree, and attained a post-graduate diploma in accountancy before pursuing her legal qualifications, culminating in an LLM with first-class honours.

She brings strong critical thinking ability and strategic planning, as well as strong financial and commercial experience, including value enhancement, and has a wealth of expertise in environmental law, resource management and commercial law and regulation.

Her other current appointments as an independent director include being on the boards of Radio New Zealand, Silver Fern Farms, Heartland New Zealand Limited, Hirepool Group Ltd, Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd (chairman) and the External Reporting Board (an independent Crown entity). Key previous governance experience included being on the boards of the Forestry Corporation, Scion Limited (the former Forest Research Institute), GNS Science, and Research and Education Advanced Network Ltd.

Traci Houpapa, who has an MBA from Massey University, also holds a number of directorships and Ministerial appointments. She specialises in strategic and economic development, advising public and private sector clients throughout New Zealand from her Hamilton base.

In 2012 Traci Houpapa was named as one of the top 10 most influential women in New Zealand agribusiness and in 2013 she was named amongst the Listener’s top 10 influencers in New Zealand. In 2014 she was awarded the Westpac Fairfax Media Women of Influence Board and Management award and this year has been included on Westpac’s New Zealand Women Powerbroker list. Known for her strong and inclusive leadership and for her clear focus on building the wealth and prosperity for Maori and all New Zealanders, she currently holds several directorships and appointments.

She chairs Landcorp Farming Ltd, the Federation of Maori Authorities, the National Advisory Council on the Employment of Women, and Te Uranga B2 Incorporation; and is also on the boards of Pengxin NZ Farm Management Ltd, Strada Corporation, Ururangi Limited and Diverse NZ Inc; as well as being a ministerial appointee on the Waikato River Authority and Rural Broadband Initiative National Advisory Committee.

Traci Houpapa and Jane Taylor fill two vacancies on the OTPP New Zealand Forest Investments Ltd board as the result of the retirement of director Ian Donald and the resignation of Ian Boyd to take up the role of CEO.

OTPP New Zealand Forest Investments Ltd owns plantation forests in the North Island on behalf of the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan. The OTPP New Zealand Forest Investments Ltd board is chaired by Don Huse.

ENDS

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