Trustees and Advisory Board members

This page has biographies for each of the Trustees and Advisory Board members of the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Trust.

Trustees

Until the resignation of the Secretary to the Treasury position Trustee in June 2022, the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Trust has had three trustees. The trustees are responsible for the allocation of Appeal funds to support earthquake recovery initiatives. Current Trustees are:

  • Dr Rod Carr, Former Vice-Chancellor of Canterbury University
  • Paul James, Secretary for Internal Affairs

Dr Rod CarrDr Rod Carr

Rod Carr has extensive experience in both public and private sector governance and leadership. He served as Chair and non-executive director of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand having previously served as Deputy Governor and for a time Acting Governor of the Bank. He was the founding Chair of the National Infrastructure Advisory Board and for over a decade was a non-executive director of the Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Commerce. He led the University of Canterbury as Vice Chancellor for ten years before retiring in February 2019 having substantially completed the recovery from the earthquakes of 2010 and 2011. Rod is currently the Chair of the Climate Change Commission, a director of ASB Bank Ltd and of Ōtākaro Ltd, as well as a Trustee of the Arts Centre of Christchurch. Rod holds a PhD in Insurance and Risk Management, an MA in Applied Economics and Managerial Science, an MBA in Money and Finance and honours degrees in law and in economics.

Paul James, Secretary for Internal AffairsPaul James

Paul James was appointed a Trustee on 1 October 2018 when he commenced his appointment as Chief Executive and Secretary for Internal Affairs.

Paul’s previous role was the Chief Executive for Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Before joining Manatū Taonga in 2015, Paul was the Deputy Chief Executive, Policy, Regulatory and Ethnic Affairs (now Policy, Regulation and Communities) at Te Tari Taiwhenua Department of Internal Affairs from 2011. He was also responsible for negotiating Treaty settlements as the Director of Office of Treaty Settlements at the Ministry of Justice. Paul’s other public sector roles have included policy roles at the Ministry of Justice, the Treasury, the Accident Compensation Corporation and Te Puni Kōkiri.

Advisory Board

The Trustees appointed an Advisory Board of community representatives to provide the Trustees with additional local perspective and advice on specific proposals. The Advisory Board had its last meeting on the 12th of March 2014.

The Advisory Board members were:

Jane Huria (Advisory Board Chair)Jane Huria

Jane Huria is Ngai Tahu and affiliates to Ngai Tuahuriri. Jane holds directorships in a number of public and private sector organisations, including Board Member, Accident Compensation Corporation; Chair, He Oranga Pounamu; Deputy Electoral Commissioner; Trustee, Winter Games (New Zealand); Trustee, Court Theatre; Lay Member, Health Practitioners’ Disciplinary Tribunal; Director, HSR Governance Limited. Jane is also is a member of the Red Cross 2011 Earthquake Appeal Commission and a patron of the University of Canterbury Foundation.

Ros BurdonRos Burdon

Ros Burdon is a benefactor and patron of the arts and recognised as one of Christchurch’s most influential figures in the arts world. In 2002, Ros was made a Companion to the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to arts and the community.

 

David CloseDavid Close

David Close, an eastern-suburbs resident, was a member of the Christchurch City Council from 1977 to 2001. He is a former staff member of Christchurch Boys’ High School. He is also a trustee of the Hamlin Trust NZ, which supports an ongoing project to assist women in Ethiopia who suffer from horrific birth injuries.

Justin MurrayJustin Murray

Justin Murray is Managing Director of Murray & Co., an independent investment bank based in Christchurch. Justin is also a Crown-appointed Director of Christchurch International Airport, is a Fellow of the Board of Governors of Christ’s College and is a member of the Institute of Finance Professionals.

Tane NortonTane Norton

Rangitane Will “Tane” Norton was born in Waikari, Canterbury and is a former All Black captain. He is a Board Member of the Charitable Trust for Critical Rugby Injuries. In 2006, Norton was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the annual New Zealand Honours List.

Pamela RichardsonPamela Richardson

Pamela Richardson, of Akaroa, received the Insignia of a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2010 for services to conservation and the community. She was involved with the Canterbury Community Trust for many years, has been a trustee of the North Canterbury Rural Support Trust, and is the chair of the Akaroa-Wairewa Community Board.

Anthony RimellAnthony Rimell

Anthony Rimell is currently Pastor at Riccarton Baptist Church, in West Christchurch. Prior to this role, Anthony was Pastor of the Breezes Road Baptist Church in East Christchurch and closely involved in earthquake relief and recovery work in Avondale, Wainoni and Aranui.