New Chair for AFL Appointed

The board of Te Ohu Kaimoana, the Maori Fisheries Trust, has today appointed Whaimutu Dewes as the Chair of fisheries company Aotearoa Fisheries Limited (AFL). He will take up the role from 1 October.

Mr Dewes, of Ngati Porou and Ngati Rangitihi descent, served for 10 years on the Treaty of Waitangi Fisheries Commission, the forerunner to Te Ohu Kaimoana, the Maori Fisheries Trust, and was the Deputy Chair of Sealord Group Ltd, which is 50 percent owned by AFL, from 1992 to 2008.

In making the appointment, the Chair of Te Ohu Kaimoana, Matiu Rei, said that as a director, Mr Dewes brings years of business and financial experience to the board table of AFL, as well as experience in the New Zealand fishing industry.

“Whaimutu is a seasoned, experienced and skilled governor who has a good understanding of the fishing industry and a proven track record of innovation and implementation within the Te Ohu Kaimoana Group,” Mr Rei said.

Mr Dewes is currently a director on the Contact Energy and Housing New Zealand Boards. He has held numerous directorships including Television New Zealand and the AMP New Zealand Advisory Board, and held a senior management role at Fletcher Challenge.