The Waste Advisory Board provides independent advice to the Minister for the Environment on matters relating to the Waste Minimisation Act 2008 and waste minimisation. This page provides information on the current members of the Board.
Board members
The current members appointed to the Board and their terms of appointment are:
| Name | Date of initial appointment | Expiry date of present term |
|---|---|---|
| Darren Patterson (Chair) | 31 July 2018 | 30 July 2021 |
| 4 August 2016 | 4 August 2019 | |
| 1 February 2010 | 16 August 2020 | |
| 4 August 2016 | 4 August 2019 | |
| 13 October 2008 | 4 August 2019 | |
| 17 August 2017 | 16 August 2020 | |
| 31 July 2018 | 30 July 2021 | |
| 31 July 2018 | 30 July 2021 |
All members were appointed to the board by Cabinet following a public call for nominations. Members have been selected for their knowledge, skills and experience on the Waste Minimisation Act, community waste minimisation projects, business/industry (including the commercial waste industry), local government, and tikanga Māori.
Board members serve for three years, unless a shorter term is stated in his or her notice of appointment.
Waste Advisory Board members' biographies
Darren is a self-employed consultant in the resource recovery sector. He has gained significant boardroom experience and is well placed to lead the Waste Advisory Board. He has around a decade’s experience on the WasteMINZ board and is the current Chair. Darren also chairs the Sustainable Initiative Fund Trust, was a board member of the Agrecovery Foundation and sits on the Stats NZ and Ministry for the Environment Technical Advisory Group for land.
Harry Burkhardt is the managing director of Replas Limited, a manufacturer of recycled plastic products. Harry is involved in a number of governance roles including President of the Packaging Council of New Zealand. Harry is the current chairman of the Ngāti Kurī Trust Board.
David Carter has worked for Lion Corporation in Australia, New Zealand and China. He has extensive experience in a number of roles in the food and beverage industry and has taken up roles in operational leadership and business leadership. He is the founding chairman of the Glass Packaging Forum and the Packaging Forum and an engineer of over 30 years.
Yvette Couch-Lewis is a self-employed consultant and RMA Hearings Commissioner. Yvette has a background in conservation and has over 14 years’ experience working with Māori organisations and iwi in the areas of conservation and resource management.
John Pask is an economist with Business New Zealand – New Zealand's largest business advocacy organisation. In the past he has been the Deputy Policy Director of Federated Farmers of New Zealand and the Policy Manager of New Zealand Employers' Federation. He has extensive knowledge and understanding of business systems and processes.
Linda is a Councillor for Waitakere. She has a broad range of community governance experience at local and regional level. She has been a member of an iwi co-governance board with Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei. Linda is a member of an Auckland Council waste management political steering group. She has extensive knowledge of resource efficiency solutions in New Zealand and overseas, including knowledge gained through on-the-ground site visits.
With over 16 years’ practical experience in running a resource recovery centre and education programmes, Sue is an expert in business development and community engagement. She is the General Manager of Wanaka Wastebusters and a founding trustee of the Sustainable Wanaka Charitable Trust and the Zero Waste Network.
Julian is self-employed as a business consultant and advisor. Julian helped to launch and manage Envirocon Product Stewardship Scheme, and currently chairs the Envirocon Advisory Board. Julian has built up public sector experience through involvement with Ministry for the Environment, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, and Callaghan Innovation.