June 2022
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Former Port of Tauranga Chief Executive Mark Cairns (centre) has been honoured with the Sir Bob Owens Award for his outstanding contribution to the sector, pictured with Waikato and Bay of Plenty CILT Chair David Stewart (left) and and CILT National President Keith Robinson. Photo: Chris Parker
Presentation of 2021 awards PRESENTING the annual awards for 2021 has provided the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport with some complex challenges. Firstly, the annual dinner planned for October in Wellington and hosted by the Central Section had to be postponed, much to the regret of all of us, the Section team, and sponsor Ken Harris of ContainerCo. Then it became clear that the replacement dinner planned for March 2022 would also not go ahead, so the NZ Council decided that awards would be presented locally at Section meetings. But the continuing COVID19 restrictions delayed these events. I am delighted to report that four awards have now been presented to some very delighted and astonished recipients. The presentation for the MITO / CILT scholarship was first off the rank. Winner Kaine Sparham from C3 had no idea he had won this award, when invited to a meeting at C3 premises in Timaru. Awards convenor, Fiona Knight, was present by Zoom from Wellington to give to a rather puzzled Kaine the good news. When applying for the scholarship, Kaine advised that having completed the New Zealand Certificate in Port Operations (Cargo
Handling) in 2020, he was keen to undertake business and management training. The judges agreed such training would be an asset to someone who had two years working as on operations supervisor with a diverse group of staff and colleagues.
Sir Bob Owens Award Former Port of Tauranga Chief Executive Mark Cairns has been honoured with the Sir Bob Owens Award for his outstanding contribution to the sector. Mark retired from the Port in June 2021 after 16 years at its helm. Waikato and Bay of Plenty Chair David Stewart said the award criteria included a nominee’s altruistic qualities. “There is no question that Mark has made an outstanding contribution to the industry. He is widely recognised as an industry statesman who, despite considerable personal success, takes huge pride in his people,” said David. “As well as leading a financially sound business, it is the Port of Tauranga people that Mark has identified as making him most proud. Mark never missed an opportunity to recognise and credit his team.” During Mark’s tenure, Port of Tauranga’s total cargo volumes doubled, and container
BY FIONA KNIGHT AND ROCHELLE LOCKLEY numbers nearly trebled. Contributing to the significant growth was a six year capital expansion programme to grow the port into an international transhipment hub. He also instigated long-term relationships with large exporters including Oji Fibre Solutions, Kotahi and Zespri. Mark instilled a strong social responsibility within the port, and prioritised health and safety over profitability. David’s sentiments were echoed in the award nomination by Managing Director of Mainfreight, Don Braid: “He has helped to create a world-class port and transformed what was really just a regional port into New Zealand’s premier port.” Craigs Investment Partners Head of Private Wealth Mark Lister said: “Port of Tauranga is one of the highest quality businesses on the sharemarket.” Since departing Port of Tauranga, Mark has taken up a governance career and is the Chair of Freightways Express Limited as well as a Director of Meridian Energy, Auckland Airport and Sanford Limited.
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