Auckland Council is helping to develop the next generation of directors through internships to the boards of Council Controlled Organisations.
The appointees are: Izzy Horrocks (Auckland Transport), Jenny Solomon (Auckland Unlimited), Pulotu Selio Solomon (Eke Panuku) and Wi Pere Mita (Watercare Services).
The board intern programme provides hands-on board room experience and mentoring for aspiring directors and helps Auckland organisations by helping to improve the number and diversity of candidates available for their boards. The internships will run from January 2022 to the end of June 2023.
The selection panel was chaired by Councillor Christine Fletcher who was joined by Susan Huria of Eke Panuku Development Auckland and Tony Kake of the Independent Māori Statutory Board. Cr Fletcher welcomes the appointments which were approved at the Appointments and Performance Review Committee meeting in November.
“The board intern programme provides a fantastic opportunity for those looking to embark on a governance career by giving a rare opportunity to get real world experience within some significant public sector organisations.
The quality of applicants to the programme was very high and we have found some incredible new talent. I am very proud to have taken a role in helping them to kickstart their governance career. As well as a learning experience for the interns, each brings a set of skills and insights which will add value to the board making the programme a real win-win for Auckland,” says Cr Fletcher.
About the interns
Izzy Horrocks (Auckland Transport)
Izzy Horrocks
Izzy is a mother of three who wants to contribute to an Auckland where all our tamariki have the chance to thrive. She has an MBA from Oxford and has spent her career building high-performing social-sector organisations around the world. She founded her own social enterprise in Kenya, and was an Investment Director at an award-winning social impact funder in London. Izzy is currently Director of ChangeLab, developing tools to help charities to do good, better.
Jenny Solomon (Auckland Unlimited)
Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahu ki Whangaroa
Jenny Solomon
Jenny is passionate about helping people develop to their potential. She is proud of her Māori heritage and brings strong values of whanaungatanga, kaitiakitanga, manaakitanga and mana o te tāngata.
Jenny’s career has focused on corporate learning and development and was co-director and CEO of the family-owned Māori training establishment – Solomon Group. Through Solomon Group and subsequent roles Jenny has supported Māori, Pasifika, youth at risk, sole parents and migrants to gain tertiary qualifications and life skills that benefit them and their whanau. Jenny is currently focusing on governance and consulting roles as well as completing her EMBA with Massey this year.
Pulotu Selio Solomon (Eke Panuku Development Auckland)
Pulotu Selio Solomon
Pulotu Selio is currently an Education Manager at the Ministry of Education and has had a 25 year career in education through the private sector and boards of trustees. He also has had extensive governance experience in education, business associations, sports administration. He currently chairs the Mens Health Trust NZ which promotes initiatives that assist Māori and Pacific men to engage in meaningful and purposeful programmes that will help not only them, but the whole whanau/aiga.
Pulotu Selio is a Justice of Peace and has been serving the community for a number of years in the Pacific and community space and brings a wealth of knowledge of business and commercial experience.
Wi Pere Mita (Watercare Services)
Rongowhakaata, Te Aitanga a Mahaki, Ngati Porou, Ngati Maniapoto, Waikato.
Wi Pere Mita
Wi Pere is a lawyer and accredited mediator. His experience spans Māori legal issues, cultural and intellectual property (including mātauranga Māori), commercial (including investments and asset management, Iwi development including PSGE) media/broadcasting & entertainment, not-for-profit & community development. He also has corporate and community governance experience.
