Local chartered accountants’ achievements celebrated

HONOURED: Accountants Wayne Panapa and Louise Carlile (centre) were recognised for their outstanding contribution to the community and business, at a gala dinner last night. They are with Neil McDiarmid (left) and Sarah Walker, from Chartered Accountants Australia New Zealand. Picture by Paul Rickard

Gisborne chartered accountants Louise Carlile and Wayne Panapa were last night awarded Fellowships from Chartered Accountants Australia - New Zealand.

The pair were recognised at the chartered accountants annual Gisborne Gala Dinner at the Vines.

Mr Panapa was recognised for outstanding contribution to the profession of accountancy through services to the community and business.

He is chief operating officer of Ngāti Porou Holding Company and secretary of the Ngāi Tāmanuhiri Kaitieki, Hunting & Fishing Club.

He is a director of Te Kupenga O Maniapoto Limited, the commercial entity and asset holding company that governs the commercial assets of Maniapoto Māori Trust Board.

Wayne was recently appointed as a director as they prepare for the finalisation of the iwi settlement for their fisheries and seafood industry.

Newly appointed to this role, his priority is to support their existing focus on revitalisation of te reo, te taiao (the environment that surrounds us), education, health and economic prosperity of Maniapoto iwi.

Gisborne District Council senior systems accountant Louise Carlile was also recognised for outstanding contribution to the profession of accountancy through services to the community and business.

Her community roles include being treasurer and secretary for the Blind Low Vision NZ (formerly Blind Foundation) in Gisborne, as well as treasurer of the Make Foundation, a registered charity that runs educational and community projects to encourage a deeper understanding of the refugee experience and promote empathy through their stories.

Other achievements at last night's gala night were:

Erutini Paringatai-Walker, Christina Sayer and Renee Swann were inducted into the college of accounting technicians.

Alexandra Cochrane, Sarah Cranswick, Connie Pierce and Natalie Scott were inducted into the college of chartered accountants.

Karen Grimson and Dean Plummer were also recognised for reaching their 25-year milestone, while Jim Campbell was recognised for his 40-year milestone achievement and Colin Evans for his 50-year milestone.