Eke Panuku Chair appointed

David Kennedy is the incumbent deputy chair of the board and will assume the chair role on 1 September 2024.

When looking for chair candidates, the council sought an experienced leader with a thorough understanding of property and urban development with commercial nous to oversee negotiations and significant projects. A good understanding of the council context and understanding of our multiple stakeholders was also sought.

Councillor Lotu Fuli chaired the selection panel, representing the Performance and Appointments Committee, and welcomes the appointment.

“We were fortunate to have a strong field of candidates for the chair role. David Kennedy has a very strong background in the property industry and as an incumbent member of the board has an excellent grasp of the organisation and is well placed to lead Eke Panuku forward into the future. David has strong governance experience and a good understanding of the complex nature of the relationships Eke Panuku must nurture with all its stakeholders, including Auckland Council’s Governing Body and Local Boards, Houkura IMSB, mana whenua and the local communities of Tāmaki Makaurau.

The Performance and Appointments committee is responsible for appointments to the boards of council-controlled organisations, in accordance with the council’s Appointment and Remuneration Policy for Board Members and the Local Government Act.

David will replace the out-going chair Paul Majurey, who ends his tenure on the board after the maximum nine years of service.

About David Kennedy

David Kennedy is an experienced director and chief executive. He has held CEO roles with Ngāi Tahu Property, The Eden Park Trust and St Lukes Group/Westfield NZ. David has also held senior executive roles with SKYCITY Entertainment Group.

He now concentrates on board directorships and some advisory consulting work. David has significant experience in the property and building sectors, and also in the entertainment sector.

David is on the board of Naylor Love Construction and The New Zealand Housing Foundation. David is Chair of Kaha Ake GP Ltd and Chair of Beachlands South GP Ltd (both roles as an independent Director/Chair on behalf of The New Zealand Superannuation Fund). He is also Chief Executive of Kaha Ake Project Delivery Ltd (the entity charged with delivering Canterbury’s new multi-use arena).