Rotorua District Council's new economic development CCO, Grow Rotorua Limited, now has its full complement of directors with the announcement of two final appointments to the board.
Mayor Kevin Winters said Gina Rangi and Hemi Rolleston had been appointed directors following an extensive recruitment process and broad discussions with
Te Arawa leaders.
Ms Rangi and Mr Rolleston join fellow directors John Green (chair), Warren Parker, Jane Nees, Michael Barnett and Tony Marks on the Grow Rotorua board.
Mr Winters said the two new board members bring not only impressive business and governance experience to the board but they also help ensure that Grow Rotorua's strategic direction includes a vital iwi perspective.
"These final appointments make for a unique and strong partnership with iwi, and they acknowledge the vital role Te Arawa has in the future economic growth of our district.
"We're delighted to be able to appoint people of such high calibre and we're very pleased with the endorsement they have had during our discussions with Te Arawa business leaders over these appointments."
Grow Rotorua chair John Green said the appointment of Ms Rangi and Mr Rolleston completed the process of putting together a strong board of directors with the passion, skills and experience necessary to take Rotorua's economic growth aspirations to a new level.
"We're determined to develop a reputation for Rotorua as a go-ahead 'can do' place for business investment and I'm very confident that we now have the right mix of business people on our board to help make that happen."
Ms Rangi is a high court barrister and solicitor and has extensive experience in corporate governance, primarily within Maori organisations investing in geothermal and agricultural industries.
She is a ministerial appointment on the government's Maori Economic Development Panel and a director of Tuaropaki Power Company Ltd. Ms Rangi also owns her own consulting company Koi Consulting Ltd and was previously an adviser to Te Pumautanga o Te Arawa Trust on renegotiation of the Deed of Settlement.
She is a board member of the New Zealand Geothermal Association, a member of the New Zealand Institute of directors and an accredited Hearings Commissioner for the Resource Management Act.
Mr Rolleston is a member of the Priority One Western Bay of Plenty economic board and the Bay of Connections board. He is currently chief executive officer of Te Awanui Hukapak Ltd, and former Maori Liaison Officer for Waikato University's Tauranga campus.
Mr Rolleston is a member of New Zealand Institute of Directors, deputy chair of Te Hononga, Ngai Te Rangi Iwi treaty settlement group, strategic iwi advisor for Tauranga Moana Treaty of Waitangi claims and a member of Rangatakapu Te Arawa leadership forum.
Last month he was the recipient of the Export New Zealand Bay of Plenty Export Achiever Award and the New Zealand Institute of Directors Bay of Plenty Aspiring Director Award.
Grow Rotorua is currently undertaking a process to recruit a chief executive for the organisation who will report to the board of directors.
Rotorua District Council has allocated a budget of $850,000 for Grow Rotorua's first year of operation and $800,000 for each of the two subsequent years. After three years the future of the CCO will be subject to a formal review. The board will report regularly to the council on progress against a set of performance indicators in line with the statement of intent established for the Grow Rotorua.