Motu Research and Education Foundation

The Motu Foundation is governed by a Board of Trustees, which consists of some of New Zealand’s most distinguished business people and academics.

Neil Green (Chair)
Neil is CEO of the trans-Tasman communications group, Senate SHJ. His work focuses on reputation management and corporate communications, assisting public and private sector organisations prepare to manage crises, issues management and corporate advocacy programmes. He has specific expertise in energy, transport and finance, government and pharmaceutical sectors. Neil is a well-known and respected figure in New Zealand business, with a 23-year career that has seen him operate in New Zealand, Australia and New York. Past roles have included him being the CEO of Porter Novelli Australia and New Zealand and member of the  Porter Novelli International Board.

Neil is also a member of the Motu Economic and Public Policy Research Board of  Trustees.

Howard Fancy
Howard has an extensive background in leadership and public policy including senior roles in the New Zealand Treasury, Chief Executive for the then Ministry of Commerce, Chief Executive for the Ministry of Education, and Acting Chief Executive for the Ministry for the Environment. He has also held directorships at the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, the Institute of Policy Studies, the Asia New Zealand Foundation, and the New Zealand Trade Development Board. As well as being Motu’s Director, Howard currently undertakes a number of governance roles in the public and private sectors.

Howard is also a member of the Motu Economic and Public  Policy Research Board of Trustees.

John Hay
John is currently an independent director with Dr John Hay & Associates.  Formerly he was the Chief Executive Officer of the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR), a position he held from January 2000 until June 2011. Prior to this, John held positions within AgResearch’s Grasslands Division, and in the late 1990s was General Manager, Plant Improvement. In 2006 he was awarded the New Zealand Royal Society’s Thomson Medal for outstanding and inspirational leadership in the management of science.

John is also Chair of the Motu Economic and Public  Policy Research Board of Trustees.

John Roberts
John is Managing director of Veda Advantage New Zealand & International since 2006. He has a background that spans over 25 years of business and leadership experience. Formerly he was a founding partner and Chairman of Rialto Advertising Limited. He has also held CEO roles with Saatchi & Saatchi in New Zealand, and was CEO/Regional Director for Saatchi & Saatchi Asia Pacific. Prior to joining Veda Advantage was MasterCard International’s Vice President for New Zealand, managing and developing MasterCard’s relationships with major financial organizations in New Zealand. He has also held numerous independent directorships including the Chair of The Centre for Applied Cross Cultural Research which is an organization mandated to understand the impact of cultural diversity in the NZ communities & business affiliated to Victoria University.

Kerry Prendergast
Kerry completed three terms as Mayor of Wellington, having been elected in 2001 after six years as deputy. Her career in local body politics has been unbroken since her first election success in 1986. She was Vice-president of Local Government New Zealand for 5 years until 2010. As Mayor of Wellington from 2001 to 2010 and as a borough and city councillor for 15 years prior to that, Ms Prendergast gained substantial governance experience. During her time as Mayor, she was involved in significant periods of change and growth at the Wellington City Council. She also brings knowledge in environmental management and has experience working with Ministers and government departments. Her professional background is in the health sector as a registered nurse and, for 25 years, a midwife. She continued her midwifery role alongside her local government work until 2001. She has also been a voluntary grief counsellor. She holds a Master of Business Degree from Victoria University of Wellington. She is currently Chair of Tourism New Zealand, The Environmental Protection Authority, a Trustee of NZCT and a company director for Kirkcaldie and Stains.