Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Board changes at energy companies

Updated at 4:46 pm on 20 October 2009

There are changes at the top of two of state-owned energy companies.

Former prime minister Dame Jenny Shipley has been appointed as the chair of Genesis Energy, while former Fairfax chief executive Joan Withers will take the role of chair of Mighty River Power.

The changes are among 24 new appointments and reappointments across 10 State Owned Enterprises and two airport company boards announced on Tuesday by SOE Minister Simon Power.

Mr Power says he is confident Dame Jenny will successfully guide Genesis through the next stages of its growth and that Ms Withers will continue the strong commercial leadership of Mighty River Power.

He says the appointments continue the work of the Government to bolster the commercial strength of all SOE boards.

In other changes, former finance minister Michael Cullen has been appointed as the deputy chair of New Zealand Post and Jim Bolger has been reappointed as its chair.

John Palmer remains the chairman of Solid Energy, while Trevor Janes has been appointed as the deputy chair of Mighty River Power.

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