Chairman’s Message

Trust Operations

2019 has been a very busy year implementing several important changes to the image and operations of the Trust. These have included a soft launch of B&PT rebranding and colour palette, introduction of a social media platform and substantial redesign of the website which was launched mid-year. New brochures and promotional material have also been introduced. Greater emphasis on e-communications and materials has been key to our rebranding and developing a new way of operating.

Changes have also been made to our highly successful parliamentary seminar programmes with the addition of a Machinery of Government and Parliament seminar which takes a closer look at legislation and select committees in addition to Executive Government and public policy. This seminar replaces the select committee seminar that has been offered in recent years.

We reviewed our funding practices for tertiary education to include a wider range of Universities. This year will see Auckland, Waikato, Canterbury and Otago Universities awarding prizes in politics in the name of the Trust. At the end of 2019 the Board appointed Munro Benge to provide who will be responsible for the Trust with accounting services and transitioning our operations to a cloud-based system. I wish to acknowledge the excellent services provided by Brent Pearson of BJ Pearson Limited since the inception of the Trust.

Trustee Council and Board

At the Annual Meeting, I was pleased to be re-elected a member of the Trustee Council and to continue in the role of Board Chair for a further term of three years. It is a privilege to be associated with the Trust. Chris Litchfield, Managing Director, Coca-Cola Amatil, who had been co-opted to the Board at the end of 2018 until the 2019 Annual Meeting was also elected onto the Trustee Council and the Board for a three-year term. Alastair Scott MP (National Party) resigned from the Board in August and was replaced by Tim van de Molen MP.

New Corporates

Three new corporate members have joined us during the year. I welcome back Auckland International Airport Limited who were a founding member of the Trust together with DB Breweries Ltd and Pfizer New Zealand Limited as first-time members. Membership of the Trust is much sought after and therefore it is important that all our corporate members take full advantage of their membership by hosting Business Attachment programmes for Members of Parliament, ensuring their staff are participating in the parliamentary seminars and also by attending members’ events.

Acknowledgements

The contribution our Corporate members make to the Trust and its activities is significant and we appreciate this continued support. To all who have engaged with the Trust and its activities this year - thank you. Your on-going support is essential for the continued operation of the Trust and is greatly appreciated. I wish to place on record the Board’s appreciation of those Ministers, parliamentarians, staff of the Cabinet Office, Office of the Clerk and the Department of Internal Affairs, who gave freely of their time to speak at one of our four seminars during the year. The contribution you make is highly valued by our corporate attendees.

My thanks also wish to the Rt Hon Trevor Mallard, Speaker of the House of Representatives who acts as the President of the Trust in hosting our seminars and events and ensuring our continued presence in the Parliamentary complex; and to my colleagues on the Trust Board for their valued input and support. To the Trust Secretariat, thank you for your efforts over the past year and for making the changes happen to the advancement of the Trust.

Peter Griffiths Chairman