Missing Airport Directors

Published HBT 6 April 2015

The proposed name change for Hawke’s Bay Airport could be just a prelude of what may be following.  

At the recent March half year report to HDC Councillors, Board Deputy Chair Jim Scotland excused airport Chairman Tony Porter with the explanation he was in Christchurch. Six months previously board member Sarah Park provided a similar reason for the Chairman’s absence. These absences may or may not be connected but apparently Mr Porter is quite ill, and whilst we wish him a full recovery,  this situation is both irregular and highly unsatisfactory. 

It also appears that a second director Stuart Webster has left for the USA, without a return ticket. If so it means that two of the four appointed directors have ceased to function in their governance roles. Significantly there appears to have been no mention of either of these issues by the two remaining directors when meeting with either the Hastings District or Napier City Councils. It is not believable that the Mayors, senior staff and others are not aware of this situation. This raises a great many questions.

-Why have these issues been hidden from Councillors and the public?

-When did Mr Porter become ill?

-When did Mr Webster leave the country?

-When did either of these directors last attend a board meeting?

-Are the missing directors still being paid by the airport ?

-Why are they still listed as directors in the most recent airport accounts provided to councillors? (half year to 31/12/2014).  

-Are the Mayors and senior managers of the Hastings and Napier councils aware of the situation and if so when were they notified?

-What is the role of Government?

-Who else is aware of the situation?

Could it be that Government is planning to transfer their shares in the airport to Mana Ahuriri Inc as part of the Y55 settlement, and the failure to disclose is due to an expectation of the claimants taking up the board positions. Whilst this has been a possibility for some time it would effectively transfer total control of a vital piece of Hawke’s Bay infrastructure because Government actually owns slightly more than than 50% of the airport shares. The lack of transparency is unacceptable and it is high time those in the know, reveal what they know.