A new board has been formed for Eastland Port and Gisborne Airport, aimed at unlocking opportunities and enhancing the economic potential of Tairāwhiti. Wendie Harvey and Hamish Bell, both experienced directors from the Eastland Group board, are joined by Andre Lovatt, a seasoned infrastructure executive, and Brodie Stevens, a logistics and transport consultant with extensive maritime experience.
Harvey, who will serve as the Eastland Port and Gisborne Airport chair said: “It’s an exciting new era for Eastland Port and I am confident our board and staff are well-equipped to drive innovation and sustainable growth.”
In May, Trust Tairāwhiti and the Eastland Group jointly announced the group would be reshaped and transition to a new operational and governance model. The new port board appointments are a significant step in the transition process. Trust Tairāwhiti chair David Battin said the new board had the Trust’s full support. “…[T]he four directors bring a wealth of expertise to our port and infrastructure company. This is important in such challenging times and while we build towards a more prosperous future for our region.
“This new model aligns with the Trust’s strategic focus on regional investments. Strong, experienced, commercial governance helping ensure our region’s assets perform to their full potential.”
Directors Matanuku Mahuika, Debbie Birch, and Jim Quinn will maintain their roles on the Eastland Group board throughout the transition period of implementing the new operating model.
Wendie Harvey has extensive experience in governance across various sectors. She holds board positions at Aurora Energy Ltd, Port Taranaki Ltd, TAB NZ, and serves as chair of Hawke’s Bay Airport. She is also part of the Hawke’s Bay Regional Recovery Board, established following Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023. Her previous roles include positions at Fire and Emergency NZ, a six-year tenure as a director at Port of Napier, and seven years at Quality Roading and Services (QRS) in Wairoa.
Hamish Bell is an experienced independent director with a broad range of commercial experience gained in various roles and industries across Asia and New Zealand. In addition to his extensive governance experience, he has a background in banking, corporate finance, private equity, investor and public relations, and stockbroking. He sits on a range of boards across New Zealand and has been an active member of the Capital and Finance & Audit Committees of Eastland Group over the past three years.
Andre Lovatt brings more than 20 years of leadership in major high-profile infrastructure projects across the Asia Pacific. As the chief infrastructure officer at KiwiRail, Lovatt oversees a large team responsible for KiwiRail’s infrastructure portfolio. His previous roles include leading a 200-strong delivery team at Auckland Airport, managing post-earthquake restoration at the Arts Centre of Christchurch, and guiding Arup’s business transformation in Singapore. His governance experience includes serving on the boards of Christchurch International Airport and Regenerate Christchurch. He is also the board chair for the Sir Peter Blake Trust.
Brodie Stevens is a logistics and transport consultant with a distinguished career in maritime and shipping industries. He serves as an independent director at Port of Tauranga Ltd, where he is a member of the audit, nomination, and health and safety subcommittees. Stevens is also chair of Chatham Island Shipping, a trustee at NZ Maritime Superannuation Fund and Whanganui Collegiate School, and a trustee of the NZ Maritime Museum Foundation. His nearly two-decade tenure as country manager for Swire Shipping further underscores his strategic and operational expertise.
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