MINISTER ANNOUNCES SOE BOARD APPOINTMENTS

The Minister for State Owned Enterprises, Jenny Shipley today announced a number of appointments to the boards of several SOE's.

"I am delighted with the calibre of people who have agreed to accept positions on these boards.

"I am also grateful to those who have stepped down from the boards, and appreciate the contribution they have made to ensuring the SOE's are run in an efficient, businesslike manner. "

Board members are as a general rule appointed for three year terms and usually serve two terms before being replaced.

The following appointments have been agreed to by both Coalition partners, National and New Zealand First.

Airways Corporation of New Zealand Ltd: Two new directors have been appointed. They are John Funnell who is the CEO of the Philips Search and Rescue Trust and managing director of a number of helicopter companies, and Errol Millar, a human resources consultant and company director.

ECNZ: Deputy chairman Peter Menzies has been re-appointed for a further term. There is one new director, lawyer Phillipa Muir, a partner in the Auckland office of law firm Simpson Grierson.

Government Property Services Ltd: Deputy chairperson Russell Hendry and director Peter Coote have been reappointed while the possible sale of this SOE is canvassed.

Land Corporation Ltd: Two new directors have been appointed. They are Dr Richard Janes who is chairman of NZ Way Ltd and chairman of the Cervena Council, and John Tavendale who is a farm management consultant and company director.

Meteorological Service of NZ Ltd: Two directors, Joy Leslie and Margaret Moir, have been re-appointed for a further term. One new director has been appointed. He is John Crook , a former senior executive of Telecom now working as a consultant, who is currently the Deputy Chair of Airways. Mrs Shipley says Mr Crook's term of appointment with Airways is due to expire in the next few months.

Television New Zealand Ltd: Two new directors have been appointed. Wayne Brown, an engineer by profession, is a widely respected businessman and is currently the chair of the Northland CHE. He brings a sporting perspective to the board, through his involvement with Surfing NZ. David Irving has considerable experience in consumer marketing and company restructuring. Until recently Mr Irving was the Area Director New Zealand for Heinz-Wattie Ltd. Three directors, Bronwen Holdsworth, Whai Dewes and Rick Christie have been re-appointed.

Timberlands West Coast Ltd: Frank Baldwin has been appointed as a new director. He is a director of Crown Forestry Management Ltd, a Crown company which manages forest licenses, and is a former chief executive of Airways Corporation and Land Corporation.

Vehicle Testing NZ Ltd: Rob McLagan has been reappointed to the Board.