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Kura Denness from Te Atiawa has been appointed to the Environmental Protection Authority for a three year term.
She replaces Anake Goodall, who resigned in February.
Environment Minister Amy Adams says Ms Denness’ experience working as a chief financial officer in the oil and gas industry will be invaluable to the board as it considers consent applications under the Exclusive Economic Zone Act.
As the role of the EPA in the new Exclusive Economic Zone consenting process increases, the board needs members experienced in both tikanga Maori and the Treaty of Waitangi, as well as knowledge of the marine oil and gas industry.
Ms Adams says the board has robust processes to deal with any conflicts of interest that might arise from her experience in the oil and gas industry or her iwi affiliations will be managed by the robust processes the EPA Board has in place.
Former Wellington mayor Kerry Prendergast was reappointed chair and Te Pumautanga o Te Arawa cief executive Taria Tahana of Ngati Pikiao has a further three years as an EPA board member.
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