Governance and leadership

Central Districts Water will be led by a chief executive, who will be responsible for day-to-day operations and will report to an independent board of directors.

Board of Directors

An independent board will guide the establishment of Central Districts Water. The board was appointed by the Shareholders’ Committee in March 2026. It brings together an impressive group of leaders with decades of experience in governance, infrastructure, finance and public services.

Hon. Steve Maharey, CNZM: Chair

BA. MA (Hons)

Hon Steve Maharey, CNZM brings many years of leadership and governance experience in New Zealand and internationally.

He served as the Member of Parliament for Palmerston North for 18 years and was a senior Cabinet Minister, holding portfolios including Social Development and Employment, Education, Housing, Broadcasting and Research, Science and Technology.

After leaving Parliament, Steve became Vice-Chancellor of Massey University, leading the university across its Palmerston North, Auckland and Wellington campuses. In recent years, he has chaired several major Crown organisations including ACC, Pharmac, UCoL and Education New Zealand. He has extensive local government experience as a City Councillor, a consultant and as a member of a wide variety of local boards. Earlier in his career, he was a Snr. Lecturer in Sociology and a Jnr. Lecturer in Business Administration at Massey University.

Steve brings a strong understanding of governance, public services, local government, infrastructure and community wellbeing.

Dave Chambers: Director

Dave Chambers brings more than 40 years’ experience across large organisations in New Zealand and Australia. Most recently he served as Chief Executive of Watercare Services, New Zealand’s largest council-owned water organisation, where he was responsible for delivering drinking water and wastewater services to Auckland and overseeing major infrastructure programmes.

Before that, he spent many years with Progressive Enterprises (Countdown/Woolworths New Zealand), including two terms as Managing Director leading national operations.

Throughout his career Dave has focused on building strong organisations that deliver reliable services for customers and communities. His experience leading complex, service-focused organisations and his deep knowledge of water services infrastructure bring valuable practical insight to the Central Districts Water board.

Jon Nichols: Director

FCA

Jon Nichols is an experienced professional director with more than 30 years’ experience, focusing on financial and commercial growth strategies, risk management and regional collaboration.

A Fellow Chartered Accountant, he has held governance roles across a wide range of infrastructure organisations, including electricity networks, airports and ports. He currently chairs Hawke’s Bay Airport and serves as a director of Unison Networks, Eastland Generation and ETEL Transformers. Jon has also held governance roles with Electra, Napier Port, Palmerston North Airport, Eastland Group and Centralines, where he served as Chair. He has also previously served as independent chair of audit and risk at Maungaharuru-Tangitū Trust in Hawke's Bay.

His financial expertise and extensive governance experience bring strong oversight and accountability to the board, coupled with a deep understanding of the importance of infrastructure to communities.

Linda Robertson: Director

B.Com, Dip Bank, C.F.Inst.D, GAICD, D.F.INFINZ, CGP, GCB.D

Linda Robertson is a highly experienced professional director with deep expertise in governance, financial markets, investment and risk management.

She currently chairs Crown Irrigation Investments Limited and Central Lakes Trust, overseeing large investment portfolios that support regional development and community outcomes. Linda also serves as a director of several major organisations including Horizon Energy Group, Kordia, Invercargill City Holdings and SBS Bank, where she plays key roles in audit, risk and investment oversight. Earlier in her career she held senior leadership roles in treasury, risk and procurement across the energy and banking sectors with organisations such as Meridian Energy, Transpower, Contact Energy and ANZ.

Her strong financial background and extensive governance experience bring valuable insight to long-term infrastructure investment and responsible stewardship of public assets.

Pahia Turia: Director

Pahia Turia brings extensive governance experience and strong connections to the Central Districts region. Raised in dairy farming in the Rangitīkei, he has deep whakapapa links across Rangitīkei, Whanganui and Manawatū and brings a lifelong understanding of land, water and intergenerational stewardship.

Pahia is Chair of Te Rūnanga o Ngā Wairiki Ngāti Apa and its asset holding company, overseeing a diverse portfolio across property, forestry, agriculture, horticulture and fisheries. He also chairs Te Ohu Kaimoana and serves as a director of Te Wai Māori, organisations responsible for significant Māori commercial and environmental interests.

Pahia has played a leading role in national discussions on freshwater and resource management and has extensive experience working across iwi, local government and government agencies. His governance experience and strong regional connections bring an important perspective on long-term stewardship of water resources.

Dr Sue Bidrose: Director

Dr Sue Bidrose has extensive leadership experience across local government, research organisations and governance roles.

She served as Chief Executive of Dunedin City Council for almost seven years, leading the council through major infrastructure investment and improvements in services for residents. More recently she was Chief Executive of AgResearch, one of New Zealand’s Crown research institutes, where she led a large organisation of more than 700 staff working across science, agriculture and innovation, a third of whom are based in Palmerston North.

Sue now holds several governance roles across both the local and central government public sectors, commercial, and community-based organisations and is also the Chair of the Local Government Commission, contributing to national decisions about local representation and governance structures.

With a doctorate in psychology (Otago) and post-graduate studies in organisational leadership (Säid Business School at Oxford University), she brings deep experience in leading complex organisations and working closely with communities.

Shareholders' Committee

The Shareholders' Committee is made up of representatives from each council area:

• Horowhenua District Council
• Palmerston North City Council
• Rangitīkei District Council.

The Shareholders' Committee sets the organisation’s joint statement of expectations, which outlines strategic priorities, performance expectations, and how Central Districts Water will work in partnership with its shareholding councils and communities.

The governance structure was confirmed by the councils in December 2025, with appointees selected in February 2026.

They are:

• Horowhenua District Council is represented by Mayor Bernie Wanden and Councillor Sam Jennings, with Councillor Mike Barker as alternate.
• Palmerston North City Council is represented by Mayor Grant Smith and Councillor Kaydee Zabelin, with Councillor Brent Barrett as alternate.
• Rangitīkei District Council is represented by Mayor Andy Watson and Deputy Mayor Dave Wilson, with Councillor Fiona Dalgety as alternate.

The collective iwi across the three council regions have formed a rōpū (working group) called Ngā Tapuwae o Hau to represent them. The three iwi nominations to the committee were made through Ngā Tapuwae o Hau for the three councils to approve.

The iwi representatives on the committee are Hayden Turoa of the Tainui Confederation with Tiwana Tibble as his alternate, Danielle Harris of the Kura-hau-pō Confederation, with Di Rump as her alternate, and Marj Heeney representing the Greater Rangitīkei region, with Suze Hepi as her alternate.

The Shareholders' Committee is chaired by Dr Chris Gallivan, who is an independent appointment.

Photo (left to right): Executive Director of the transition Chris Dyhrberg, Palmerston North City Councillor Kaydee Zabelin,  Ngā Tapuwae o Hau (Tainui Confederation) representative Hayden Turoa, Ngā Tapuwae o Hau (Iwi of the Greater Rangitīkei Region)  representative Marj Heeney, Palmerston North Mayor Grant Smith, Independent Committee Chair Dr Chris Gallavin, Rangitīkei Mayor Andy Watson, Horowhenua Councillor Sam Jennings, Horowhenua Mayor Bernie Wanden, Ngā Tapuwae o Hau (Kura-hau-pō Confederation) representative Danielle Harris.

Not pictured: Rangitīkei Deputy Mayor Dave Wilson.