Rob joined the board of GHL in October 2014 and appointed as chair in 2018. The Waipaoa Station sheep and beef farmer was one of the driving forces behind the establishment of the award-winning Waipaoa Station Cadet Training Trust in 2007, and now sits on the board. He is on the Poverty Bay A and P Show executive, a keen national dog trialist and member of the Poverty Bay Dog Trials Association while also running the section at the Spring Show. He has also represented New Zealand in polocrosse.

Peter, who has been on the GHL board since November 2009, is from a family who have farmed on the East Coast since 1863. By his own admission, he is passionate about both the region and farming, having spent 40 years on the land. He is managing director of Mokairau Farms Limited, which owns Mokariau Station, Whangara and Waihapua Station at Tolaga Bay. He also leases Mangaone Station at Whangara. He has a Hereford Stud, and also farms beef, sheep and deer. Pete is Gisborne chair of the OSPRI TB Free Committee, a member of the Whangara Business Group, an executive committee member of the National Party’s East Coast branch, and active in the Eastland Hereford Club.

Mrs Pollard joined GHL board of directors in December 2016. She has over 25 years banking and accounting experience as a credit controller, transactional manager and corporate client syndication manager. She is a Chartered Accountant and is admitted as Barrister and Solicitor in New Zealand High Court. She holds undergraduate and post graduates degrees from University of Oklahoma, Massey University and AUT. On part time basis, Mrs Pollard is responsible for the investment funding vehicle Titan NZ Funding Trust (Titan NZ) sponsored by NAB (National Australia Bank). She facilitates the access to domestic and offshore investors or banks for New Zealand corporates. Before taking the position at Titan NZ, Ming was involved in the establishment of NAB (NZ) Limited and the BNZ Facilities Management Limited, the entity responsible for the management of $10 billion of assets. She is currently a director of several companies and as an advisory board member in charitable trusts and non-profit organisations. Ming is a strong believer that the future social and economic success of Gisborne can be dynamically assisted with improved hi-tech management of farming, forestry, tourism, agriculture and viticulture.

Director Dave Mullooly is a fourth generation Gisbornite who has lived, worked, played and contributed to the district all his life. He brings to the board 30-plus years of business experience, predominantly in the automotive and convenience industry. He has owned the Kaiti Service Station – now BP Kaiti, BP Ormond Road, Foster & Tyler Workshop, BP Opotiki, two mechanical workshops and Gas ‘n’ Gear. His three local companies had a multi-million dollar annual revenue, employing more than 30 staff and annually contributing $1.4m in salaries and wages to the local economy. For six years he was on the board of the BP2Go Co-operative Company as a director, and chair for the past two. The board has 105 BP branded operations across the country, controlling revenue of many millions of dollars annually, not including fuel sales. He currently has a compliance project role with members of the New Zealand Agricultural Aviation Association, liaising with WorkSafe New Zealand. He is deeply passionate about the region, and looks forward to continuing to create a positive, prosperous and attractive district where people and business can thrive.

Andrew joined the GHL board in December 2018 and brings a great deal of experience and knowledge of the Tairawhiti community and wider region. Gisborne born and bred, Andrew is the East Coast area manager for Rabobank NZ (Global Cooperative Bank) which includes the Whakatane, Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay and Waipukurau regions. His work involves all aspects of corporate risk management and assessment, compliance, portfolio management, leadership, corporate social responsibility and community engagement. A lifetime in sport has seen him represent the region in surf lifesaving for many years, compete for New Zealand five years consecutively as well as hold national titles. He also played rugby for Poverty Bay. He is a former president of the Poverty Bay A&P Society and still on the committee. “I really look forward to representing the interests of GDC and the ultimate beneficiaries, the Tairawhiti community,” said Andrew. “GHL is in a fantastic position to capitalise on existing farming and commercial assets under its control. We have a clear mandate to not only return current levels of dividend to GDC but also provide long term opportunities that will benefit our community and future generations in a social, financial and environmental way.” Andrew and his wife Georgina have three children – Harry, George and Meg