Who we are

Mita joins Priority One board representing Tauranga Moana’s three iwi in terms of economic development issues. Mita was born and raised in Tauranga where he currently resides with his family of seven children and four mokopuna. He is of Mataatua, Te Arawa and Takitimu descent and is a minister of the Rätana faith. He has recently announced that he will be retiring from Parliament at this year’s general election to focus on Tauranga iwi. This will bring to a close a 12 year career in politics comprising two terms as MP for Waiariki and two terms as a Labour list MP. During this time he has been actively involved in the wider Bay of Plenty. His achievements include the return of Mauao to Tauranga iwi, the transfer of the Te Arawa Lakes to the tribes of Te Arawa, and positive progress on treaty settlements in the Eastern Bay of Plenty and the Central North Island. His new focus will be on leading Tauranga iwi through the settlement process and providing guidance and assistance, where required.

Christine is the Acting Chief Executive of Tauranga City Council, having been the Group Manager City Directions at the council since 2001. Christine was previously Audit Director at Audit New Zealand and is a member of the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants. Tauranga City has experienced consistently above average population growth in the last 10 years, placing significant pressure on infrastructure and services. The Council's focus has been on establishing a strong plan for transport, land use and community infrastructure. The Council is investing a billion dollars over the next decade to ensure the City can sustain the planned growth. Council is a major funder of Priority One, along with its partner council, Western Bay of Plenty District Council.

Glenn is Chief Executive of Western Bay of Plenty District Council and has been involved in the private sector and local government for 35 years. As well as being on Priority One’s Board, Glenn is also Chair of BOP LASS Ltd (Bay of Plenty Local Authority Shared Services), a director of Bay Broadband, the Implementation Management Chair for SmartGrowth (the 50 year plan to develop a multi-billion infrastructure programme to manage growth in the Western Bay of Plenty District and Tauranga City) and a member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors. Glenn has also held operational and governance roles with SOLGM, most recently as co-judge for the SOLGM Management Challenge. He has also been involved with the rates working group and led initiatives within rates postponement and local government funding.

Murray is a partner at Tauranga-based law firm Cooney Lees Morgan, and specialises in corporate/commercial law as well as international trade law and policy. Prior to joining Cooney Lees Morgan in 2009, Murray spent five years as General Counsel for Zespri. Before this he was a senior associate in the Wellington offices of law firm Minter Ellison Rudd Watts. Murray spent the first eight years of his career as a New Zealand diplomat and international trade lawyer for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. In addition to his role at Priority One, Murray is also a board member of the Tauranga Chamber of Commerce.

Bill Holland is a partner at Holland Beckett Lawyers, specialising in trust law and in commercial and property transactions. He acts as a legal advisor to a large number of Tauranga’s leading business people and for a number of community organisations. Bill is also extensively involved in the community and serves as a trustee on a number of community-based trusts, including chairing the Acorn Foundation. Bill is passionate about Tauranga and has been a board member of Priority One for several years.

Graeme is General Manager at Trimax, having joined in 2005 to facilitate strategic growth and change in the organisation. He also undertakes strategic and structural development as a business consultant to manufacturing, marketing and exporting companies and is a director of Landcare Research, Sirtrack, Phytomed Medicinal Herbs and PAPINZ. Prior to this he was CEO at Comvita between 1998 and 2005 when the company transitioned from a private to a public entity through a period of rapid international growth. Graeme has been a board member of Priority One since 2009.

Mark is Chief Executive of Port of Tauranga Limited – New Zealand’s largest and most efficient port and an NZX Top 50 Listed Company with a market cap of approx $940 million. Mark has undergraduate degrees in Business and Engineering, a Post Graduate Diploma in Business & Administration and a Master’s degree in Management. He is a Director of C3 Limited and Northport Limited and is Chairman of North Tugz Limited and Tapper Transport Limited.

Carol is the Director Corporate and Grower Services for ZESPRI International, having joined the business in 2002. She is also currently Acting Director of Branding and Marketing. ZESPRI is the global category leader for kiwifruit marketing, with strong partnerships through to post harvest companies and to over 2,700 growers, 80% located in the Bay of Plenty. With sales revenues in excess of $1.4bn and export value of $1bn, kiwifruit is a significant contributor to the regional and national economy. Carol is responsible for grower services, grower liaison, the contact centre, human resources and communications. Prior to Carol joining the kiwifruit industry, she held various marketing and sales roles for New Zealand companies.

Frank is the Managing Director of Craigs Investment Partners, one of New Zealand's largest NZX Participant Investment Advisory Firms, offering bespoke solutions to both private investors and corporate clients. With its head office in Tauranga, the firm has 17 branches throughout New Zealand, approximately 110 Investment Advisors and $5 billion in funds under management and administration. With a double major in economics and international business, Frank joined Craigs Investment Partners in 1997 from the New Zealand Stock Exchange. Following roles as a research analyst, corporate advisor and Head of Client Services, Frank was appointed to head the firm in 2005. He is also an NZX Advisor and a Director on the Board at Craigs Investment Partners.

Fraser is the managing partner in BDO Tauranga – one of the top five chartered accountancy and business advisory firms in New Zealand. He manages a portfolio of business services clients across many industry sectors and acts as professional trustee to a number of trusts, including Trust Secretary for Tauranga Energy Consumer Trust, which has net assets in excess of $750million. Fraser is responsible for strategic planning and business growth development within the BDO Tauranga office. He represents the firm on the BDO National Managing Partners Forum and is also the BDO National Director for Human Resources.

Glenn is the office Managing Partner of KPMG Tauranga, which offers tax, advisory and audit services. The Managing Partner role includes responsibility for the performance of the office and results and also all staff management matters. Glenn specialises in audit and has over 20 years auditing experience. Glenn acts as audit partner for a large number of the Bay of Plenty’s leading businesses. As part of KPMG’s commitment to its communities, he also performs a number of honorary audits for charities and local non-profit organisations. Glenn was on the KPMG NZ Management Board from 2003 until 2009 and now has a national role on one of the firm’s two national committees. He has been a board member of Priority One for several years and was previously on the Executive Committee of Export New Zealand Bay of Plenty.

Doug is the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of University of Waikato and Adjunct Professor Archaeology at Simon Fraser University in Canada. He has detailed knowledge of educational environments and a track record of developing high-quality, sustainable, multi-sector provision. Doug’s work at the University of Waikato has involved university-wide responsibility for leading transformation in fundamental aspects of the institution’s quality, finances, focus and future, in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders. In partnership with the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic, Doug has led the strong growth of the tertiary and research sector in the region over the last two years, including increased alignment of teaching and research with the requirements of key industry sectors. This will see the region become a strong centre of research and innovation which will increase productivity and economic growth.

Hemi Rolleston is the Chief Executive Officer of Te Awanui Hukapak Limited. The company manages kiwifruit investments on behalf of large Tauranga based Maori kiwifruit trusts with its major investment being the largest shareholder in Seeka Kiwifruit Industries Ltd. Hemi has a BMS degree and Postgraduate Arts degree through Waikato University and is a member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors. Hemi is affiliated to both Ngati Ranginui and Ngaiterangi tribes of Tauranga and has been involved in the Waitangi Claims and Settlement process. Hemi has a broad range of skills to bring to the Priority one Board including commercial acumen, local knowledge and a passion for Maori economic development.