Press Release from Keep New Zealand Beautiful

HEADLINE: Keep New Zealand Beautiful Appoints its new CEO

13 August 2008: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Keep New Zealand Beautiful Appoints its NEW CEO

Keep New Zealand Beautiful (KNZB) today announced the appointment of Simon Johnston as the new Interim Chief Executive Officer of one of New Zealand's leading environmental charitable organisations.

Following a successful transition period, Simon Johnston has now replaced Barry Lucinsky, who indicated to the KNZB Board a number of months ago his intention to retire from the CEO position.

"On behalf of the Board and members of KNZB, we wish to thank Barry Lucinsky for his substantial contribution and passion for KNZB," said Mr Johnston.

"KNZB is firmly looking forward, with refreshed programmes, renewed energy for the annual KNZB Clean-Up Week and working with our sponsors to further the empowerment of individuals and groups to keep our great country beautiful."

"KNZB is New Zealand's leading charitable organisation, focused on educating and promoting New Zealanders' involvement in keeping their country beautiful. KNZB's environmentally directed activities involve litter abatement, recycling, anti-tagging and sustainability objectives.

In terms of grass-roots environmental volunteers, KNZB is beyond doubt the most successful organisation in New Zealand. A key asset of KNZB is our ability to build New Zealanders awareness and the understanding of the importance of environmental protection.

"New Zealand has an international image of being green, clean and beautiful. This reputation and image can be tarnished by people carelessly dropping litter, tagging buildings and infra-structure, ignoring opportunities to recycle and by feeling that individual sustainability is not important enough. It is these attitudes that KNZB is working to change," said Mr Johnston.

Mr Johnston is a successful businessman with management experience built up from his corporate background. He brings to the role astute awareness of environmental concerns and the importance of working with multiple stakeholder groups including Government agencies.

ENDS

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