Media release
New members appointed to board of AFL
30 September 2007| Download as PDF - 190kb
Te Ohu Kaimoana today announced that six directors had been appointed to the Board of Aotearoa Fisheries Limited (AFL), the commercial arm of Maori fisheries.
Existing directors Craig Norgate, Keith Sutton and Matanuku Mahuika have been reappointed to the board and new directors Wayne Peters, Fred Cookson and Harry Mikaere were also appointed. The recently-appointed chairman Robin Hapi's term expires in three years. The appointment of the three new directors increases the board to seven members.
The Chairman of Te Ohu Kaimoana, Archie Taiaroa, said the three new members would make an added contribution to the work of AFL and replace director Craig Ellison. Each brings with them expertise and experience in different sectors of the fishing industry.
Wayne Peters is a lawyer with 26 years' experience in commercial, property and financial law. Mr Peters started his own legal firm, Wayne W Peters and Associates, this year after almost 20 years as a partner at Thomson Wilson Solicitors in Whangarei. He acts for many iwi and hapu organisations and represents major Northland commercial clients in a wide range of matters as well as serving on the board of the Auckland Law Society and the New Zealand Law Society. He has been instrumental in Ngati Wai fisheries development.
Fred Cookson is a director of Te Ohu Kaimoana and will provide a link between AFL and its major shareholder. He is a chartered accountant with 18 years' public practice experience and is a senior partner in the firm Cookson Forbes KCSM Ltd based in Opotiki. Over the years, Fred has worked throughout the Waiariki and Tairawhiti districts with iwi organisations as they manage farming, horticulture, forestry and fishing assets. Fred has a Bachelor of Commerce degree and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of New Zealand.
Harry Mikaere is trustee of the Hauraki Maori Trust Board and has 30 years' experience in practical, technical and policy aspects of the New Zealand fishing industry, including more than 20 years aquaculture experience growing mussels and oysters. He and his wife Ruth own a number of marine farms in the Hauraki Gulf. Harry is currently an interim director in Aquaculture New Zealand Ltd, a director of the Ngati Kahungunu Asset Holding Company, a director of Treaty Tribes Coalition and the Hauraki Maori Trust Board's nominated director on Hauraki Fishing Group Ltd and Tai Moana Marine Farms Ltd.
Mr Taiaroa thanked director Craig Ellison for his long contribution to the development of AFL since its establishment in 2004 and Maori fisheries in general. Craig, who comes from a family with a long history of fishing, served as the chairman of Moana Pacific Fisheries from 1998 until it was merged into AFL in 2004 and served as a member of the Treaty of Waitangi Fisheries Commission from 1993 until the passing of the Maori Fisheries Act in 2004.