Remember Steve Maharey?
Elected to Parliament for the first time in 1990, he was Minister of Social Development and Employment (from 1999 to 2005) and Minister of Education (from 2005 to 2007) in the days when Helen Clark was Prime Minister.
Wikipedia recalls that in April 2007, Maharey came under criticism for saying ‘fuck you’ in parliamentary question time on 4 April. But fair to say, it does record other accomplishments.
He retired from Parliament at the 2008 general election to become vice-chancellor at Massey University and later served on the Pharmac and ACC boards.
This – we may suppose – is why the Horowhenua District Council regards him as an experienced director.
PoO’s attention was drawn to the appointment when we spotted a press release headed
But this can’t be an experienced board (we reckoned) because it has only just been appointed.
Experienced appointees – maybe.
An experienced board – no.
It hasn’t even met yet.
Board chair Steve Maharey acknowledged this by saying the Board’s immediate focus is on supporting the establishment work already underway and ensuring the organisation is well prepared for the responsibilities it will take on in 2027.
“The next stage of work is about building a strong and capable organisation and working closely with councils, iwi, staff and our communities across the three districts. We will meet in person for the first time after Easter, and that will include meeting Elected Members from the three councils, key government officials involved in water reform, and staff involved in water services in the three districts. Our role is to ensure Central Districts Water is set up well from the start so it can deliver reliable, and efficient water services for the communities it serves.”
Delving beyond the headline which brayed about an experienced board, PoO learned of co-governance at work in the region where the board will do its thing.
Horowhenua District Council, Palmerston North City Council, Rangitīkei District Council and Ngā Tapuwae o Hau have taken another significant step toward establishing Central Districts Water, confirming the appointment of an experienced independent board to govern the new organisation.
Central Districts Water is a jointly owned council-controlled organisation that will deliver drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services across the three districts from 1 July next year.
Ngā Tapuwae o Hau is a working group formed by the collective iwi across the three council regions to represent them.
Seventy-eight people applied to join the Central Districts Water Board. Interviews were undertaken by representatives of the Shareholders’ Committee.
The full Shareholders’ Committee, made up of the mayors, elected members and representatives from Ngā Tapuwae o Hau, met on Friday and appointed the board.
The committee will now work with the board to set expectations and support the establishment of Central Districts Water.
The press statement gives this information about the board members:
Hon Steve Maharey, CNZM (Chair) has extensive governance experience across Central and Local Government as well as internationally. He is a former Vice-Chancellor of Massey University, Senior Cabinet Minister, Member of Parliament for Palmerston North, Palmerston North City Councillor and academic.
Dr Sue Bidrose has served as Chief Executive of both Dunedin City Council and AgResearch and holds governance roles across commercial, financial services and public sector organisations.
Dave Chambers is the former Chief Executive of Watercare Services and former Managing Director of Progressive Enterprises (Countdown/Woolworths New Zealand), bringing more than 40 years’ experience leading large, complex and customer-focused organisations.
Jon Nichols is a professional director with extensive experience across regulated infrastructure, energy and public-sector assurance, including governance roles with electricity networks, airports and ports.
Linda Robertson is an experienced professional director and board chair with deep expertise in governance, audit and risk, financial markets and investment oversight, holding governance roles across energy, banking and large investment organisations.
Pahia Turia is an experienced iwi and asset governance leader with more than 25 years’ involvement across post-settlement governance, primary industries and regional economic development, including as Chair of Te Ohu Kaimoana.
Bob Edlin is a veteran journalist and editor for the Point of Order blog HERE. - where this article was sourced.
He retired from Parliament at the 2008 general election to become vice-chancellor at Massey University and later served on the Pharmac and ACC boards.
This – we may suppose – is why the Horowhenua District Council regards him as an experienced director.
PoO’s attention was drawn to the appointment when we spotted a press release headed
Experienced Board Appointed For Central Districts Water.
But this can’t be an experienced board (we reckoned) because it has only just been appointed.
Experienced appointees – maybe.
An experienced board – no.
It hasn’t even met yet.
Board chair Steve Maharey acknowledged this by saying the Board’s immediate focus is on supporting the establishment work already underway and ensuring the organisation is well prepared for the responsibilities it will take on in 2027.
“The next stage of work is about building a strong and capable organisation and working closely with councils, iwi, staff and our communities across the three districts. We will meet in person for the first time after Easter, and that will include meeting Elected Members from the three councils, key government officials involved in water reform, and staff involved in water services in the three districts. Our role is to ensure Central Districts Water is set up well from the start so it can deliver reliable, and efficient water services for the communities it serves.”
Delving beyond the headline which brayed about an experienced board, PoO learned of co-governance at work in the region where the board will do its thing.
Horowhenua District Council, Palmerston North City Council, Rangitīkei District Council and Ngā Tapuwae o Hau have taken another significant step toward establishing Central Districts Water, confirming the appointment of an experienced independent board to govern the new organisation.
Central Districts Water is a jointly owned council-controlled organisation that will deliver drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services across the three districts from 1 July next year.
Ngā Tapuwae o Hau is a working group formed by the collective iwi across the three council regions to represent them.
Seventy-eight people applied to join the Central Districts Water Board. Interviews were undertaken by representatives of the Shareholders’ Committee.
The full Shareholders’ Committee, made up of the mayors, elected members and representatives from Ngā Tapuwae o Hau, met on Friday and appointed the board.
The committee will now work with the board to set expectations and support the establishment of Central Districts Water.
The press statement gives this information about the board members:
Hon Steve Maharey, CNZM (Chair) has extensive governance experience across Central and Local Government as well as internationally. He is a former Vice-Chancellor of Massey University, Senior Cabinet Minister, Member of Parliament for Palmerston North, Palmerston North City Councillor and academic.
Dr Sue Bidrose has served as Chief Executive of both Dunedin City Council and AgResearch and holds governance roles across commercial, financial services and public sector organisations.
Dave Chambers is the former Chief Executive of Watercare Services and former Managing Director of Progressive Enterprises (Countdown/Woolworths New Zealand), bringing more than 40 years’ experience leading large, complex and customer-focused organisations.
Jon Nichols is a professional director with extensive experience across regulated infrastructure, energy and public-sector assurance, including governance roles with electricity networks, airports and ports.
Linda Robertson is an experienced professional director and board chair with deep expertise in governance, audit and risk, financial markets and investment oversight, holding governance roles across energy, banking and large investment organisations.
Pahia Turia is an experienced iwi and asset governance leader with more than 25 years’ involvement across post-settlement governance, primary industries and regional economic development, including as Chair of Te Ohu Kaimoana.
Bob Edlin is a veteran journalist and editor for the Point of Order blog HERE. - where this article was sourced.
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