Independent committee members appointed

Environment Southland has appointed two independent members to its new Investment Committee.

Andrew Morrison, as chair, and Cassandra Crowley, joined councillors Eric Roy, Jeremy McPhail and Maurice Rodway at the committee’s meeting today (15 April 2025).

The Investment Committee replaces the old South Port Subcommittee. It has an expanded mandate is to help maximise returns to council in a portfolio that includes a managed fund, land and buildings (including council buildings as well as flood protection land), and the majority shareholding in South Port. It will also take on a treasury role, advising council on future debt facilities to fund assets.

Environment Southland chairman Nicol Horrell said both Andrew Morrison and Cassandra Cowley had impressive governance resumes and sector experience.

“We are pleased to have people of this calibre wanting to work with us, to help us get the best returns from our investments. This will make a difference to our ratepayers.”

Investment income from across the portfolio was forecast to contribute 16% ($8.6m) of Environment Southland’s annual income in the 2024-25 year.

Andrew Morrison is a Southland farmer and experienced company director who has chaired a range of agri-business entities including Beef + Lamb NZ, Ovis Management Ltd, Wool Research Organisation of New Zealand and the New Zealand Meat Board.

Cassandra Crowley is a chartered accountant, barrister and solicitor who received a Woman of Influence award for Board and Management in 2022. She has been an independent director on the South Port board since October 2023 and would continue on the South Port board as a non-independent director.

Ends

We have pictures of Andrew Morrison and Cassandra Crowley which are available on request.