Waitaki Irrigators Collective Leader Takes up New Role

It was with sadness coloured by a large dose of pride that Waitaki Irrigators Collective (WIC) recently announced the resignation of their Director of Strategy and Policy, Elizabeth Soal, to take up the role of Chief Executive Irrigation NZ.

 

“Although we are disappointed to lose such a talented person”, explained WIC Chair Fraser McKenzie, “we are very pleased that Elizabeth is staying within the irrigation community and will continue to live in North Otago.  She has made an enormous contribution to the success of WIC during her tenure and her performance has been endorsed by her selection for this new role at a national level.”

 

Elizabeth joined WIC in February 2011 and under her direction steered the organisation through several major achievements including the successful conclusion to the Waitaki Catchment Water Allocation Plan under Plan Change 3; and the negotiation of a Waitaki River flow regime management plan with Meridian and irrigators.

 

WIC represents an innovative way for irrigators, both individual and scheme members, to work together for the express purpose of furthering positive outcomes for the Waitaki River in a collaborative, proactive and cohesive way.  For example, WIC aims to facilitate the delivery of projects that will improve water-related outcomes across areas such as biodiversity, water quality and cultural values through its newly formed off-shoot organisation, Waitaki Water.

 

WIC is governed by a Board of Directors, with each shareholder represented by one Director and independent directors appointed as deemed appropriate, including current independent Chair Fraser McKenzie.

 

The board regularly reviews the performance of the collective to ensure the shareholders receive clear benefits from their membership and will use the resignation of Elizabeth as an opportunity to ensure the strategy and organisation remains ‘fit for purpose’.  In the interim Robyn Wells, current Chief Executive of North Otago Irrigation Company, is assisting in an Acting Director of Strategy and Policy role.

 

For further information, please contact:

Robyn Wells, Acting Director of Strategy and Policy, Waitaki Irrigators Collective Limited

027 603 0661

Fraser McKenzie, Chair, Waitaki Irrigators Collective Limited

027 228 5636

admin@waitakiirrigators.co.nz

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