Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of the Karori Sanctuary Trust Held in the Pāteke Room ZEALANDIA on Thursday 29 October 2020 at 5:00 Pm
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Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of the Karori Sanctuary Trust Held in the Pāteke room ZEALANDIA on Thursday 29 October 2020 at 5:00 pm Present Phillip Meyer (Chairman) Pete Monk (Chair of Audit and Risk Committee), David Bibby (Chair of People, Capability and Culture Committee), Russell Spratt, Jo Breese, Libby Harrison (Trustees). Paul Atkins (Chief Executive), Dr Danielle Shanahan (Director of ZEALANDIA’s Centre for People and Nature), Matt Valentine (Manager Corporate Services), Chris Fitzgerald (Manager Commercial Development), Anastasia Turnbull (Manager Learning and Engagement) and Sarah O’Sullivan (Executive Assistant and Board Secretary). Hon Grant Robertson (Finance Minister and local MP for Wellington Central), Andy Foster (Mayor of Wellington and Honorary Member), Chris Ussher (Auditor from PwC), Tim Clarke and Nick Fenton (legal advisors from Russell McVeagh), Jim and Eve Lynch (Founders) and Roy Sharp (Chair of Guardians). And 108 members as listed in the attendance register 1 Karakia The meeting was opened with ZEALANDIA’s karakia. 2 Welcome and introductions Phillip Meyer, Chairman of the Trust, introduced the Board, Management and guests Hon Grant Robertson and Mayor Andy Foster. 3 Meeting procedure and apologies 3.1 Meeting procedure The Chairman outlined the voting and speaking protocols. He noted that a quorum of 10 members present was met and declared the meeting open. 3.2 Apologies Sarah O’Sullivan, Board Secretary and Returning Officer advised she had received 77 apologies from members. It was moved by Sarah and seconded by Pam Fuller that the apologies be accepted. The apologies were accepted unanimously. The apologies are listed below. Note: An additional five apologies were received after the AGM. 4 Chairman’s address The Chairman noted that despite the disruption of COVID-19 in this financial year, ZEALANDIA has finished the reporting year with a healthy balance sheet. A couple of the main factors contributing to this are: • The Board and Management team already had considered and developed plans to address a substantial loss of income following a Board initiated exercise in August 2019. • The continued acknowledgment nationally and internationally of ZEALANDIA’s reputation as a leader in conservation and research and the way we continue to integrate mātauranga Māori and te ao Māori into the way we think and operate. On behalf of the Board the Chairman recognised our people as a valuable asset to ZEALANDIA. The Chairman thanked the Minister and the government for the support over lockdown. 5 Chief Executive’s report Paul Atkins, Chief Executive, discussed some of the highlights in the annual report, these included: • A record breaking (despite lockdown) number of visitors on tours. • The increasing depth of partnerships that means our work and in particular translocations is becoming richer and more meaningful. • The agility of the team who provided different ways for people to experience ZEALANDIA during lockdown with a virtual tour. • The national and international recognition of the work we are doing here. 6 Guardians’ Report Roy Sharp, Chair of the Guardians, presented the Guardians’ report. Two new elected members joined the Guardians after the last AGM, Ellen Carlyon and Latu Clark. Helen McConnell was appointed as the Wellington Tenths Trust representative and following the Wellington City Council elections in 2019 Mayor Andy Foster was appointed as the Council representative with Teri O’Neill as his alternate. Professor Nicky Nelson retired from the Guardians and was replaced by Dr Lynda Petherick from Victoria University of Wellington. The Guardians met four times during the year and at each meeting the CE and Chairman provided an update. The Guardians also provided feedback to the Board on the annual statement of intent and recommended to Wellington City Council on the reappointment of two existing trustees. Roy noted his thanks to Nicky Nelson and Julia Bracegirdle whose term has now ended. 7 Presentation of the annual report and financial statements It was moved by the Chairman and seconded by Steve Cosgrove that the annual report and financial statements be adopted. The motion was opened for discussion from the floor. There were no questions. The motion was then put and passed unanimously. 8 Election of member appointed Guardian to fill vacancy Sarah O’Sullivan, Returning Officer, outlined the process undertaken for the election of the new Guardian and, in the absence of other nominations, declared Paul Wilson elected as the new member-appointed Guardian. 9 General business There were no items of general business. There was a short break to allow the front of the room to be rearranged. 10 Panel discussion Phillip introduced the panel question “How can we recover our economy from COVID-19 in such a way that we better care for the environment and our biodiversity and build a truly sustainable future for following generations?” and offered some global and historic reflections. The panel outlined their thoughts on the question, these included briefly: Hon. Grant Robertson: • The need to build back better, for example with carbon budgets and sustainability integrated into thinking. • The continuation of the wellbeing budget. Mayor Andy Foster: • The need for good planning (for example town planning and waste management) that considers the whole lifecycle of the project or infrastructure to create places that incorporate nature and are great places to live. • Use examples like ZEALANDIA where the environment has grown a community. Dr Danielle Shanahan: • Our approach to development should be to eliminate and rectify previous impacts on the environment. We should develop solutions to current problems (for example the landfill in Ian Galloway Park). Innovative technologies to solve these problems can be exported. • Spending time in nature and actively caring for the environment has benefits to mental and physical health and better for the health budget. If we care for the environment it cares for us. Members asked the following questions that the panel responded to: • How can residents in other regions help influence political will to value the environment? • How can Jobs for Nature provide jobs for people who are out of work? • What are the plans to help New Zealand to move away from the economy being reliant on resource extraction and become more sustainable? Phillip thanked the panel members for contributing to such an engaging discussion. 11 Closing comments Phillip Meyer invited everyone to join the Board for refreshments in the café. Meeting closed 6.58pm Confirmed as a true and correct record: Chair: ___________________________________________ Date: ___17 December 2020______ Apologies noted from: Susanne Ames Andrew Mason Marjorie Thomas Jenny Boshier Olwen Mason Nicole Thomson Di Buchan Carol Matheson Sandra Thorn Fiona Campbell Sophia Max Michele Timms Ellen Carlyon Cathrine McIntosh Diane Trim Lawrence Cartmell Anthea McKay Margaret Trodahl Frances Christophers Lachlan McKenzie Lin Walden John Clark Sally McLean Jayne Wilder Lesley Collier Russell McStay Rory Wilsher Brenda Collins Sam Mills Christine Wright Sally Combly Frank Moran Willie Wright Diane Cordwell Jenny Morel Ethne Wyndham-Smith Shirley Day Chris Morrison Rosemary Devore John Morrison Romain Dubois Ken New Peter Eastwood Wayne Newman Karen Eder John Nimmo and Family Andrew Fletcher Phillipa O'Brien Yvonne Fletcher Bridgett Parkin Brendan Garraty Ruth Pemberton Gillian Green Clare Perry Shirley Hampton Rachel Porteous Warwick Hayes Heather Roberts Jacqueline Hemmingson Rupert Rokeby-Johnson Robin Hodge MaryEllen Ross Bridget Hodgkinson Sue Rundle Mike Hopkins Geoffrey Scrase David Howden Sigrid Scrase Mark Ilic Rowena Simpson Beth Jackman Liz Sinclair Jan Jones Deane Sloan Valerie Jones Lynne Smith Eeva-Katri Kumpula Steve Streefkerk Jenny Lala Gill Tait Cathy Lythe Larraine Talbot .