Whanganui District Council Holdings Ltd

New Zealand International Commercial Pilot Academy

Whanganui District Council Holdings Limited (WDCHL) is a Council Controlled Organisation (CCO). It has been operating since 2002 and is fully owned by Whanganui District Council.

Our role

WDCHL’s role is to manage and oversee the Council's commercial assets. We also advise the Council on new investment opportunities and the strategic management of assets.

WDCHL’s role is to manage and oversee the council's commercial assets. We also advise the council on new investment opportunities and the strategic management of assets.

The assets are:

WDCHL brings business experience, industrial expertise and an independent focus to the governance of the council's commercial operations. We make sure that the assets we oversee are well-managed and provide the best possible financial and strategic returns to the council. Financial proceeds from the assets are then directed by the council into areas and activities that benefit the whole of the Whanganui community and our district.

WDHCL is accountable to the council through an annual Statement of Intent, regular reporting to council meetings and the publication of annual reports and financial statements. It also produces an Annual Report.

Our board

Carolyn van Leuven (chair)

Carolyn is a former commercial law firm partner and deputy chief executive of large government agencies, with a strong background in a range of sectors including energy & resources, infrastructure, te Ao Māori, justice and the border sector.

She brings a sound, broad-based view of NZ government, business and community issues from her unusually varied experiences across the commercial, public and not-for-profit sectors, including a privileged 41⁄2-year period in the Beehive serving two Prime Ministers as one of a small group of non-partisan advisors.

Carolyn is of Te Atiawa o te Waka-a-Maui descent and a graduate of Whanganui Girls’ College and the University of Canterbury. She is an independent director and consultant and appointed to the Board in October 2020.

Other board members are:

Lucy Elwood

Lucy brings to the Board over 20 years’ experience working across diverse industries, including community services, technology, and infrastructure. She has previously held senior roles for listed companies, not-for-profits, law firms, and within the public sector.

Lucy was Chief Executive of the Cancer Society of New Zealand Inc until 2023, and since then has focused on board roles and advisory work.

Lucy is a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors and has lived in Wellington for over 20 years. She has a science degree as well as an honours degree in law.