New independent board appointed to lead Queenstown Lakes water services transition

Queenstown Lakes District’s new dedicated water services council-controlled organisation (WSCCO) will be legally established as a new company this week, after Council approved its Constitution and Transition Agreement. Also confirmed at the same meeting on Thursday, was the appointment of four new directors to the Board.

Mayor John Glover said it was a significant milestone for the creation of the new WSCCO.

“The transition of water services – water supply, wastewater, and stormwater – from day-to-day Council activities was a contentious decision at the time and has been a matter the whole of the local government sector has grappled with through this process. However, having been a part of the recruitment process I’m very comfortable that the oversight of these essential services is going to be in very capable hands,” said Mayor Glover.

The new company, yet to be formally named, will remain 100% owned by QLDC as the sole shareholder. Water services will be delivered through the newly established company structure, with independent expert governance appointed by QLDC under its Policy on the Appointment and Remuneration of Directors.

“I believe we have brought together a highly competent, diverse and complementary group of individuals that will be able to deliver on the mission ahead of them,” said Mayor Glover.

Dr Julian Elder was appointed as Chair of the Board in May this year. He said the remaining directors appointed on Thursday had the perfect mix of skills, knowledge and experience to provide water services, with most members based right here in the district.

“It gives us the ability to focus on the outcomes and what they look like for the community. This is a board that will be able to quickly evaluate the challenges and the options in front of us, and to bring that experience to bear in finding real pragmatic solutions and better outcomes,” said Dr Elder.

The new board is made up of:

• Dr Julian Elder (Chair), a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors and commercial engineer with more than 25 years’ executive and governance experience across critical infrastructure, regulated utilities, water and wastewater services and large-scale transformation in both public and private sectors.

• Dr Sina Cotter Tait, a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors, Chartered Professional Engineer and Fellow of Engineering New Zealand, with over 20 years’ experience in engineering and construction, including water infrastructure. She recently served on the boards of the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission / Te Waihanga and the North Otago Irrigation Company.

• Becky Lloyd, a recognised sustainability leader and strategic advisor across the public and private sectors, with particular expertise in infrastructure. She is a member of QLDC’s independent Climate Reference Group, which advises Council on climate and biodiversity matters.

• Mark Christensen, a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors, and a natural resources lawyer specialising in water and infrastructure development, as well as conservation and biodiversity. He has almost 40 years’ experience in resource management and environmental law, including 20 years as a partner in Russell McVeagh and Anderson Lloyd.

• Blair Stoddard-Howell, a Chartered Accountant specialising in finance, risk management and assurance. He brings more than 20 years’ experience in senior leadership and advisory roles across a diverse range of asset-intensive organisations carrying complex operational risk profiles, including water and utilities.

“We have a year of careful groundwork ahead of us before we take responsibility for water, wastewater and stormwater services. Independent governance means we can focus entirely on getting the fundamentals right - on infrastructure, on cost and on a long-term view developed in partnership with mana whenua,” said Dr Elder.

The yet-to-be-named company has been registered under the placeholder name QLDC 3Waters Ltd. A permanent name is expected to be announced later this year. The new company will assume responsibility for the district’s water services on July 1, 2027.

Read the profiles for the new directors.

ENDS | KUA MUTU

Pictured: WSCCO Board R-L Sina Cotter Tait, Julian Elder, Becky Lloyd, Mark Christensen. (Absent: Blair Stoddard-Howell)