Shane Jones has announced the inaugural board for the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission in Rotorua today. Photo / File
Shane Jones has announced the inaugural board for the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission in Rotorua today. Photo / File
Infrastructure Minister Shane Jones has announced the inaugural board for the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission, Te Waihanga, in Rotorua today.
Speaking at the annual Building Nations symposium at the Energy Events Centre, Jones named Dr Alan Bollard as chairman of the new independent Infrastructure Commission.
The commission is tasked with developing a long-term infrastructure plan and pipeline, and helping governments make decisions to improve the wellbeing of all New Zealanders.
"I'm so pleased to be announcing the new board today, particularly former Reserve Bank governor Dr Alan Bollard as our chairman," Jones said.
"As a Government, we're confident the board brings together a wide range of skills and experience essential for providing effective leadership in the infrastructure sector, and delivering the step-change we need.
"I'm also delighted to announce that Jon Grayson has been appointed by the board as chief executive."
The Government allocated $41 billion in Budget 2019 for capital spending over the next five years, focused on building schools, hospitals, houses, roads and public transport.
Jones said the commission would develop a 30-year infrastructure strategy for New Zealand, as well as producing a pipeline of major projects.
"The new board combines significant economic expertise with legal, financial, regulatory, and on-the-ground experience, all of which are essential to delivering these goals.
Former Reserve Bank governor Dr Alan Bollard has been named chairman of the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission Photo / File
"Throughout the process of setting up Te Waihanga, establishing and maintaining credibility with industry has been a core focus.
"I'm confident this board has the mana to build effective relationships with stakeholders, and dismantle the various barriers to building high quality infrastructure in this country – whether they be financing, planning, or a lack of certainty and capacity among those we rely on to deliver projects," he said.
The New Zealand Infrastructure Commission is on track to be operational by October this year.
New Zealand Infrastructure Commission:
Dr Alan Bollard (chairperson) is a Professor of Practice at Victoria University of Wellington. He has extensive experience as a senior public servant. He has previously held roles as the executive director of the Australia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) secretariat, governor of the Reserve Bank, and Treasure Secretary. He holds a PhD in economics and an honorary LLD from Auckland University.
Jon Grayson (chief executive) is currently deputy secretary commercial and financial at the Treasury and is responsible for Treasury's debt management, the Crown's commercial portfolio and advice on infrastructure and housing policy. He has a strong background in capital markets and major infrastructure investment management and has held senior executive roles within the public and private sectors.
David Cochrane is currently a special counsel at Simpson Grierson. His experience includes drafting law in New Zealand and overseas, and he has advised on the implementation of government policy in a range of areas including local government, transport, government administration, corporatisation, conservation, superannuation, primary industry and health.
Raveen Jaduram is currently the chief executive of Watercare. Prior to this, Raveen was the managing director of Murrumbidgee Irrigation, which is a private water company in Australia. Jaduram has a MCivilEng and over 20 years' experience working in the water industry in New Zealand and Australia. He has deep institutional and systems knowledge of the infrastructure sector, and has worked with a variety of stakeholder across the public and private sector.
Sarah Sinclair is a member of the Expert Review Panel for the Infrastructure Commission, Te Waihanga establishment project. She is a partner at Minter Ellison Rudd Watts, and is the chairwoman of Minter Ellison Rudd Watts Partnership. Sinclair has extensive experience acting for both government and private sector clients in large-scale, complex infrastructure projects. She is known for providing commercially pragmatic, strategic advice on infrastructure funding models, procurement strategies and contracting structures. She has extensive experience in infrastructure and construction law.
Stephen Selwood is the chief executive of Infrastructure New Zealand and has an understanding of strategic governance and integrated long-term planning linked to the effective funding, regulation, and delivery of New Zealand's infrastructure system. He has extensive experience in leadership and governance across the infrastructure sector, and has worked extensively with ministers and the public and private sector. Selwood has a clear sense of public accountability, and works effectively in a collegial, decision-making environment.
Sue Tindal is an experienced banker and chief financial officer with extensive knowledge of domestic and global markets, including structuring large multi-currency infrastructure financing programmes. She has proven experience and knowledge in government, financial services, technology, energy, transport and logistics sectors across both regulated and non-regulated environments. Tindal has led and delivered large infrastructure and technology projects in New Zealand, Australia and Asia, which required complex internal and external stakeholder management. She is a fellow, Certified Practising Accountants of Australia.
