Kirsty Pickett and Louise Fowler have been appointed as trustees of Community Trust South, Chair Trish Boyle announced today.

“Kirsty Pickett and Louise Fowler have been appointed with effect from 7 September 2020. They have replaced Penny Simmonds and Richard Wason.”

The trustee appointments are made by the Minister of Finance, after receiving nominations from the Trust and from a range of other organisations and individuals within the Trust’s region. Louise Fowler is endorsed by the Papatiu Runanga of Murihiku as the Manawhenua endorsed trustee. 

General Manager Jackie Flutey says “We are particularly pleased that the Minister has appointed the Manawhenua endorsed Trustee, as this role provides a strong connection between the Trust and the Runanga of Murihiku to support the Trusts commitment to the Te Tiriti o Waitangi principle of partnership.”

Ms Boyle said the new trustees’ appointment would bring an excellent blend of skills and experiences to the Trust. The appointments are for an initial term of four years ending in May 2024.

Louise has recently retired from Presbyterian Support Southland where she was a Cultural Advisor, Team Leader and Social Worker since 2002. Louise has a long involvement with local iwi in governance roles; current Trustee of Awarua Rununga, Chair of Awarua Whanau Services, Chair of Te Rourou Whakatipuranga EEC, Director of Awarua Tio Company and an Awarua Whakapapa group member.

Kirsty is a company director and award-winning journalist, based in Te Anau. Having spent 15 years as a journalist for The Southland Times, Kirsty went on to become the first female editor of the Wanganui Chronicle in 2006. Returning to Te Anau in 2008 Kirsty cofounded the Advocate South newspaper, created Southland’s first escape room business, Fiordland Escapes, and developed the Southland App – a digital news and information portal for Southland. A teacher and judge of highland dancing, Kirsty is also active in Scottish cultural circles, including the Te Anau Tartan Festival.

Penny Simmonds and Richard Wason have both been on the board for eight years with Penny serving as Chair for the last year.

“Penny and Richard have made significant contributions to the Trust over the years. The leadership and direction, which came from their combined community, financial and cultural knowledge, has been greatly appreciated," Trish Boyle said.

We now welcome our new appointees to the Trust and look forward with anticipation to the skills and contribution they will bring to the future of the board.”

The 10 Community Trust South trustees are:

Trish Boyle – Chair

Lindsay Wright – Deputy Chair

David Goble

Mata Cherrington

Michael Wilson

Stephen Canny

Bill Moran

John Wyeth

Louise Fowler

Kirsty Pickett