The new chairmen of Auckland's Council Controlled Organisations

Sir John Wells and family. Photo / NZ Herald

Taking the reins: The new chairmen of Auckland's Council Controlled Organisations

Simon Allen
Chairman: Auckland Council Investments

Will manage $1.2 billion of equity and financial investments including Auckland Council's holdings in Ports of Auckland (100 per cent), Auckland International Airport (22.6 per cent) and Auckland Film Studios (44 per cent).

It will also manage other investment assets of about $250 million currently held by Auckland Regional Holdings. And it is tasked with bringing a strong commercial focus to the ownership of the airport shares.

Other directors: Barrister Miriam Dean QC (deputy chair) and professional director Candis Craven.

Allen - a former NZX chairman and CEO of ABN Amro NZ - has also been appointed as a director of Auckland International Airport.

Mark Ford
Chairman: Auckland Transport

Will replace nine separate Auckland transport entities and be responsible for all local authority transport delivery functions in Auckland, including local roads and public transport. It will have about 1020 staff, $1.5 billion in assets and annual revenues of $1.36 billion.

Other directors: Professional director Pip Dunphy (deputy chair), barrister and legal consultant Rabin Rabindran, professional director Ian Parton and former Lion Nathan chief financial officer Paul Lockey.

Ford - who will step down as Chairman of the Auckland Transition Authority on October 31 - was formerly chairman of the Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) and executive chairman of Watercare Services.

Bob Harvey
Chairman: Auckland Waterfront Development Agency

Will lead the waterfront's development consistent with the Auckland Council's vision. It will focus on existing projects for Rugby World Cup 2011, develop its waterfront property and wrap in other businesses like Sea+City Projects, and the half-share in Queens Wharf where "party central" will take place during the rugby tournament. It will also ensure projects for use during the Cup are delivered on time and will be able to enter joint ventures with the private sector. Other directors: Adrienne Young Cooper (deputy chair), professional director Kerry Stotter, Ngati Whatua o Orakei manager Ngarimu Blair and professional engineer Terry Kayes. Harvey will step down as Mayor of Waitakere on October 31.

David McConnell
Chairman: Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development

Will support and enhance Auckland's ability to compete internationally as a desirable place to visit, live, work, invest in and do business; help plan major events like Rugby World Cup 2011, and, market the city as a tourism destination.

It will manage $2.6 million on non-property assets with an annual forecast revenue of $43 million (2010/11).

Other directors: Professional directors Peter Drummond (deputy chair), Norm Thompson and John Law, plus AUT relationship manager Vivien Bridgewater. McConnell - a director of the Committee for Auckland - led a Visitors' project to "bring the world to Auckland".

Sir Don McKinnon
Chairman: Regional Facilities Auckland

Will own and manage $968.3 million of regional facilities: Auckland Art Gallery, Viaduct Events Centre, Auckland Zoo, Mt Smart Stadium and the Edge. Will have an interest in facilities like the Auckland War Memorial Museum.

Will help attract world-class events to Auckland and engage the community and its visitors in arts, culture, heritage, leisure, sport and entertainment activities. Other directors: Dame Jenny Gibbs (deputy chair), retired banker Hugh Burrett, Simpson Grierson lawyer Peter Stubbs, North Shore businessman Derek Dallow, Tainui Holding's director Rukumoana Schaafhausen. McKinnon - a former Commonwealth Secretary-General and Cabinet Minister - recently returned to live in Auckland.

Sir John Wells
Chairman: Auckland Council Property

Will manage but not own property assets worth around $1 billion comprising 1454 properties and 635 leases. It will have an operating expenditure of about $5.5 million. It will ensure an appropriate return on Auckland Council-owned commercial property and manage developments carried out by existing council CCOs at Hobsonville and Flat Bush.

Other directors: Beca chairman Richard Aitken (deputy chair). professional director Anne Blackburn, Multiplex Property (NZ) managing director Peter Wall, Tainui governance board chairman Tukoroirangi Morgan.

Graeme Hawkins
Chairman: Watercare Services

Will provide and manage the water supply and wastewater treatment facilities and infrastructure for residents and businesses in the Auckland region.

Other directors: Professional directors Pat Snedden, Jeff Todd, David Clarke, Ross Keenan and Peter Drummond, and, management consultant Susan Huria.

Watercare Services was in existence before the new CCOs were established. Its existing directors remain in place.

* From the New Zealand Herald feature, 'Project Auckland - our city'