Annual Meeting 2024

On Wednesday 31 July, the Trust held its 32nd Annual General Meeting in the Members’ Only Dining Room in Parliament. 

The event brought together members and stakeholders to review the achievements over the past year and discuss future developments.  

The new Chair, Brent McAnulty acknowledged Peter Griffiths who had stepped down the previous month and thanked him for his six years’ service as Chair of the Trust Board. The Chair informed the meeting that the Board had earlier that day anointed Peter as a Distinguished Life Member of the NZBPT in recognition of his commitment and extensive work not only with the Board but also the parliamentary seminars and other events. Peter had overseen a period of significant change for the Trust .

The Chair advised the resignation of Chris Litchfield that had occurred in February following his appointment to a new regional-globe role with Coca-Cola Europacific Partners and Joanne Mahon following her resignation from Southern Cross in May. He also announced the appointment of Nirupa George from SkyCity as the new Deputy Chair of the Trust Board. Three new Trustee Council Members were appointed; Jessica Mutch Mackay from ANZ Bank, Kym Mellow, from Inchcape New Zealand, and Emily Davies from Tower Insurance. The political appointments of the Trustee Council  following the General Election included Hon Damien O’Connor representing the Labour Party, Dr Parmjeet Parmar MP representing the ACT Party, and Jamie Arbuckle MP representing New Zealand First.

In speaking to the Annual Report 2023, Peter Griffiths spoke of the opportunity taken to introduce a new seminar reflecting what is involved in closing one parliament and opening a new parliament and forming a government just prior to the closing of the 53^rd Parliament. He also advised the establishment of a new prize in conjunction with the Honours and Masters programme at Wellington School of Business and Government, Victoria University of Wellington Te Herenga Waka and that the inaugural prize will be awarded at the conclusion of the 2024 academic year.