Tainui Group Holdings appoints Chris Joblin as CEO

Chris Joblin, a former executive at meat processor Affco, will take over as head of Tainui Group Holdings after acting as chief executive for the the investment arm of the Waikato iwi for the past four months.

Joblin, who joined TGH as its chief financial officer in December 2009, has been acting in the top role following Mike Pohio's resignation in April after eight years leading the $875 million investment company. Joblin was previously CFO at meat processor Affco.

"Chris has been pivotal in the development of TGH's diversification strategy over the past 18 months," chairman Henry van der Heyden said. "He is experienced in mahi (work) within the tribe's context and brings a strong vision for the success in TGH's mission as the inter-generational investor to grow economic prosperity for the 67,000 members of Waikato-Tainui."

Under Pohio, TGH adopted a strategy to diversify its investments beyond property, with the company taking shareholdings in Waikato Milking Systems, Go Bus and Genesis Energy.

Joblin is a director of three TGH part-owned hotels, Waikato Milking Systems and a representative for the company's fishing interests.

Earlier this month, TGH announced plans to sell as much as 50 percent of The Base shopping centre in Te Rapa, northwest Hamilton, using the funds to repay debt and put towards other investments. Since then it has been approached by a "range of potential joint venture partners," Joblin said.

"We're also looking at new opportunities for TGH to invest directly in high-performing businesses and primary industries, and responding to strong market demand for the next stages of the development of the 550 hectare work, live and play hub at Ruakura in Hamilton East," Joblin said.

TGH is focused on new projects, including plans to develop 800 hectares at Ruakura, north of Hamilton, into an industrial park, new housing and an 'inland port' transport hub to marshal growing freight volumes between Tauranga and Auckland. TGH and partner Chedworth Properties plan to spend about $3.3 billion over the 30 to 50 years the development project is expected to last.

TGH has built up its assets to be worth more than $875 million, having received its $170 million settlement with the Crown 20 years ago.

(BusinessDesk)