- Trust Tairāwhiti Annual Report showcases the year’s investments, including $7.9m in community facilities.
- New trustee appointments and directors of Eastland Group.
- New Chief Financial Officer and General Manager Economic Development appointed to Senior Leadership Team.
Trust Tairāwhiti has released its Annual Report 2024/25, ahead of its upcoming Annual General Meeting on 14 August.
The report outlines the Trust’s community funding, economic development and tourism activity over the past year.
“Guided by our strategic plan Te aka rautaki ki te tau 2029 and wellbeing framework He Rangitapu He Tohu Ora, our work is focused on unlocking the potential of Tairāwhiti,” says Trust Chair David Battin.
“Every investment, partnership and initiative is about enhancing the wellbeing of our people and supporting sustainable economic development.”
A record $7.9m was invested in community facilities, including Victoria Sports and Recreation Hub, Mareikura Waka Ama Club, Whakarua Park and Rugby Park.
“Collectively, these facilities are used by more than 6000 people annually. Once completed, they will bring enduring benefits for our communities.”
The annual Tairāwhiti Wellbeing Survey continues to guide Trust activity. With three years of data now available (2022-2024), the survey provides valuable insights into regional needs and priorities.
“As a result, we’ve focused more investment on energy resilience, community-led initiatives, supporting rangatahi and our taiao.”
As the region’s Economic Development Agency, the Trust supported 216 local businesses and delivered $114k in capability funding. The Regional Tourism Organisation team also worked closely with local operators to promote Tairāwhiti as a visitor destination and strengthen local tourism product development.
Trust subsidiaries under Eastland Group – soon to be renamed Tairāwhiti Investments Limited – delivered strong results, enabling a $12m dividend to the Trust.
“Structural changes made in the past year are already showing impact. Independent boards were established for Eastland Port and Eastland Generation, and new directors appointed to Eastland Group,” Mr Battin says.
Printed copies of the Trust’s Annual Report and consolidated Financial Statements are available at the Trust office.
Download Consolidated Financial Statements 2025
Leadership and governance appointments
Two key roles have been appointed on the Trust’s Senior Leadership Team:
- Laura Stonehouse, Chief Financial Officer
- Hayden Green, General Manager Economic Development.
“These are important roles for our organisation, and as we move through a period of change, it’s great to have such capable leaders,” says Trust Chief Executive Doug Jones.
“Both bring a strong mix of strategic thinking, commercial expertise and deep commitment to Tairāwhiti.”
Laura has 15 years of international experience with consumer goods company Unilever, most recently as CFO for Unilever Australia and New Zealand, leading a $1b revenue subsidiary of Unilever Global. She first moved from the UK to Gisborne in 2003, returning in 2024 with her family.
Laura says she’s thrilled to be at the Trust and contribute her skills and experience to develop wellbeing in this beautiful corner of the world.
Hayden brings 25 years of leadership and commercial experience across Aotearoa, the UK and USA. His previous roles included CEO of a national horticulture business Genesis Nurseries, Commercial Manager at Eastland Group, and a management consultant for PwC.
Based in Gisborne with his wife and three children, Hayden is also newly appointed Chair of the Poverty Bay Rugby Football Union and Treasurer of the Tairāwhiti Voyaging Trust, where he is a vocal champion of youth leadership, cultural connection and community wellbeing through sport.
The Trust board also welcomed new and returning trustees:
- Te Pūoho Kātene, new appointment
- Ron Aitken, reappointed.
Te Pūoho brings expertise in values-based investment, Māori governance and sustainability. Te Pūoho is currently Chief Executive of Tapuwae Roa and serves as a trustee of Te Runanga o Toa Rangatira, Director of Armillary Private Capital and Asia-Pacific leader for the Obama Foundation.
Ron, a Chartered Accountant and business advisor, has over 37 years of experience in the corporate, SME and public sectors.
New directors appointed to Eastland Group
To support strategic leadership through its transition to an investment company, three directors were appointed following a nationwide recruitment process:
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George Reedy: Over 25 years in commercial and not-for-profit governance, with strengths in sustainability and strategy. Most recently, George has been CE of Te Rūnanganui o Ngāti Porou.
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Matthew Harker: 18 years of experience in corporate finance, direct investment and governance.
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Paul Silk: A career in global markets, infrastructure and regeneration, with past roles at Christchurch City Holdings, Development Christchurch and Ngai Tahu Holdings.
Trust Chair David Battin says the new directors bring the commercial insight and governance experience needed to guide the company’s next chapter.