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Wellington Zoo becomes a Charitable Trust
1 July 2003
Wellington City Council has approved the establishment of a Charitable Trust to manage and guide the future development of Wellington Zoo from 1 July 2003.
Mayor Kerry Prendergast says this is a significant step forward for Wellington Zoo. "I am absolutely delighted. Establishing a trust will allow the Zoo to better access funding from both private and corporate sponsors and community trusts, and to facilitate a more flexible, responsive management and governance structure."
The Council agreed to appoint five external trustees, along with Councillor David Major as the Council's representative on the Trust Board.
The trustees are:
- Neale Pitches (ONZM), currently Director of PB Learning Limited. Neale is former Chief Executive of Learning Media where he guided the revenue growth from $9 to $24 million over a nine year period. A former principal of Onslow College, Neale has an appreciation of the business of the Zoo having recently undertaken a strategic review of education at the Zoo.
- Lee Parkinson, currently Director of Integration for Clemenger BBDO where he is responsible for integrated marketing solutions including direct and online marketing. Lee has 17 years' experience in marketing and marketing communications. He has been on the board of the Direct Marketing Association for six years and has held the position of Chair.
- Denise Church (QSO), was Chief Executive and a Secretary for the Ministry for the Environment for five and a half years until 2001. Denise has also held positions in strategic communications and public affairs, environmental management and research. Currently a Director of the Crown Research Institute Landcare Research, Denise is also on the board of WWF New Zealand. Denise holds a BCom in Economics, BSc in Zoology, an MSc in Resource Management and a Masters Degree in Urban and Regional Planning.
- Frances Russell, currently Executive Director of the Community Trust of Wellington. Frances is connected with the New Zealand Federation of Rural Women and the Women's Division of Federated Farmers. She is also a trustee of a number of entities.
- Phillip Meyer, currently Chairman of the Australian Financial Services Group, a Director of Southern Cross Healthcare Group, SCEGGS Redlands Limited, a member of the Disciplinary Tribunal of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of NZ, and the Wellington Mayoral Business Advisory Board. Phillip was a financial advisor on the Sydney Olympics Finance Commission, and is a fellow of the Australian Institute of Management and holds a Certificate in Company Direction (NZ).
- Councillor David Major (J.P.), Deputy Chair of the Community, Health and Recreation Committee, Board member of the Carter Observatory, Hannah Playhouse, and Education Wellington International. David also holds various positions with the Rotary Club, Salvation Army, and the Wellington Art Club.
Neale Pitches has been appointed initial Chairman of the Wellington Zoo Trust. Trustees have been appointed for a mix of one and two year periods to ensure continuity on the Board.
"The calibre of the trustees is outstanding,'says Mayor Prendergast. 'We have an excellent mix of skills and experience in education, conservation, community organisations, sponsorship and marketing expertise.
I want to congratulate the trustees for being selected to the Board. There were a large number of applicants and the standard was very high. I believe we've got the right group to guide the Zoo from strength to strength. The Trust's focus on the Zoo will assist it in providing the high-quality experiences with animals that today's zoo visitors expect".
The Zoo Trust board will report quarterly to the Council's Monitoring subcommittee.
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