Former deputy prime minister and Commonwealth secretary-general Sir Don McKinnon is among several prominent New Zealanders named today to head Auckland's new council-controlled organisations.The six council-controlled organisations (CCOs) will come into b
Former deputy prime minister and Commonwealth secretary-general Sir Don McKinnon is among several prominent New Zealanders named today to head Auckland's new council-controlled organisations.
The six council-controlled organisations (CCOs) will come into being when the city's new unitary council is created through local body elections in October.
Local Government Minister Rodney Hide said today the Government had been able to choose people who were the elite in their respective fields.
"In New Zealand we have a small but rich pool of talent, and these are people whose talents would be welcome anywhere in the world," he said.
"What is more, they are all Aucklanders."
Mr Hide has announced the heads and members of the CCOs and said the teams had "extensive experience in a multitude of sectors, from finance to diplomacy".
Sir Don would head the Regional Facilities Auckland CCO.
Other key appointments announced were:
* Auckland Council Property chair, Sir John Wells;
* Auckland Council Investments and Auckland International Airport chair, Simon Allen;
* Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development chair, David McConnell;
* Auckland Waterfront Development Agency chair, Bob Harvey; and
* Auckland Transport chair, Mark Ford.
Transport Minister Steven Joyce said he welcomed the appointment of Mr Ford, current chairman of the Auckland Transition Agency, to head the transport CCO.
The transport CCO would replace the nine separate transport entities that currently existed across the city.
Mr Hide said there were more than 200 nominations for the 31 roles.
Salaries for heads of CCOs range from $70,000-$105,000, and for directors from $35,000-$52,000.
