New look for PKW Farms Board

The PKW Farms LP Board has a new structure as the Incorporation seeks to become Best in Class in the dairy farming sector.

The change in the board make-up came as the result of a comprehensive review carried out by the Committee of Management (CoM) to ensure that PKW’s governance structures were helping, not hindering, the organisation’s aspirations.

Consisting of two independent directors selected for the skills and experience they bring to the role, and two elected members from the PKW Board, the new structure will provide consistency and focus to the strategic aims of this part of the business.

“The new Board, chaired by Richard Krogh along with independent director Phillip Luscombe and Board members Taaringaroa Nicholas and Claire Nicholson, received a Letter of Expectation from the CoM outlining not only what we as an Incorporation want

them to achieve but also, and perhaps more importantly, how we want them to achieve,” says Hinerangi Raumati-Tu’ua, Chair of the PKW Board.

“So far this new model is working very well and we look forward to watching the progress of this part of our business over the coming months under Richard’s leadership.”

The Board has also been joined by a new member, Mark Bridges (Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāi Tahu), as Phillip Luscombe retires after more than 20 years at PKW.

“Phillip has made a significant contribution to the development and success of the PKW Farms operation during his time on the Board and I wish to acknowledge and thank him for being part of our journey,” says Hinerangi.

While he has big shoes to fill, Mark brings extensive experience in providing strategic advice and guidance to a range of farming operations, particularly on sustainable farming methods. A Senior Associate Director for Southern Pastures Ltd, he has also worked for the New Zealand Dairy Board as a farm consultant. He is based in Taranaki and has had his own dairy farming business since 1999, in various models of ownership (50/50 sharemilker, leased dairy farms and equity ownership).

“We welcome Mark to the organisation and look forward to his input as we continue to focus on optimising our farm performance while fulfilling our role as kaitiaki of our whenua and awa,” says Hinerangi.