Statement from Chair Sir Don McKinnon

NZ China Council Chair confirms decisions yet to be taken on review of Council structure and governance

The Chair of the NZ China Council, Sir Don McKinnon, confirms there is a review of the Council’s governance and structure underway, which began last year.

The purpose of the review is to ensure the Council remains as effective as possible given the evolution of the relationship with China and has nothing to do with any issues around individual board members.

There is no basis to media reports that Dame Jenny Shipley is to be stood down from the Executive Board of the New Zealand China Council at its meeting next month.

Sir Don says the Council is due to meet next month, but no decisions arising from the review are likely to be made then as consultation with members is ongoing.   

Sir Don says his expectation is that the council will continue to function as a broadly based body, but may do so with a smaller subsidiary governance entity, the members of which are yet to be determined.  Final decisions are not expected until the end of the year.