Person Specification
Chair, Wānaka Airport Liaison Committee
1  PURPOSE
This statement has been prepared to assist candidates who may be considering expressing interest in a role as the Chair of
the Wānaka Airport Liaison Committee, and wil  also be used by the Council in selecting the most appropriate candidate.
2  CONTEXT
Wānaka Airport is a natural attraction for visiting aviators and for anyone interested in a range of aviation-related
attractions and events, such as the Warbirds Over Wānaka International Air Show and the Warbirds & Wheels visitor
attraction. There are more than 11 businesses with around 250 people working in and around the airport on day-to-day
operations. These operations include scheduled domestic return service to/ from Christchurch with Sounds Air and a large
and growing number of helicopters offering training and charter.
Wānaka Airport is owned by QLDC. Queenstown Airport Corporation manages Wānaka Airport’s day-to-day operations on
behalf of QLDC under a management services agreement. These management services include noise monitoring, property
management, regulatory planning and compliance, and liaising with the airport community on day-to-day matters.
Chapter 37 of the District Plan requires the establishment of the Wānaka Airport Liaison Committee. The objective of the
Committee is to consider and make recommendations on matters within the Committee’s responsibilities and key projects
listed within it’s Terms of Reference (see attached). Membership of the Committee is also detailed within the Terms of
Reference.
3  THE ROLE OF CHAIR
The Chair wil  possess a level of underlying skil s such as financial literacy, good communication, strategic awareness, and
an ability to take a wide perspective on issues. Complementary specialist skil s wil  be considered in that context. The
following list, taken from the expectations required of directors of Crown-owned companies, is relevant in this context
and il ustrative of the skil s general y desired:
>  An ability to clearly communicate oral y and in writing
>  A wider perspective on issues
>  Integrity and a strong sense of ethics
>  Common-sense
>  Strategic awareness
>  An appreciation of the role of the Council as owner of the airport as wel  as regulatory authority
>  Financial literacy
>  A well-developed critical faculty
>  The ability to be information oriented
>  An ability to work in a team and collaborate
>  An ability to make-tough decisions, which may be unpopular but in the best interests of the wider community and the
airport.
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Person Specification | Chair, Wānaka Airport Liaison Committee

Additional Specific Skil s Desirable at Present Time
>  The management of noise associated with airport operations with an emphasis on being a good neighbour.
>  Maintaining strong relationships with airport users and local residents.

Factors to be Considered
The fol owing may assist individuals considering applying for this position:
>  While experience in local government or the aiport industry is not a pre-requisite, experience in chairing formal
meetings wil  be an advantage.
>  Residence inside the Wānaka-Upper Clutha Ward of the Queenstown Lakes District is not a pre-requisite to
appointment but is desirable.
>  Al  potential conflicts of interest must be disclosed in a candidates’s expression of interest. Examples of conflicts of
interest include (but are not limited to): a current directorship or senior management role in another airport, an
interest in development which might impair the ability of the airport to operate, etc. Persons with potential conflicts
should not feel discouraged from expressing interest but wil  be expected to resolve the conflicts before appointment
if successful.

4  APPOINTMENT PROCEDURE
For consistency, the Chair wil  be appointed as per the QLDC Policy for the Appointment and Remuneration of Directors.
The Chair wil  be selected based on a recommendation of the Governance Subcommittee to Ful  Council (public excluded).
The successful candiate wil  be subsequently announced publicly.
The selection aims to ensure that the Committee contains the skil s necessary to enhance the airport’s performance and
the Committee’s interaction and activities within its Terms of Reference.
The Chair must be independent from the membership entities listed within the Terms of Reference.
Confidentiality
It is Council practice to deal with applications for appointments, involving personal information, on a confidential basis.
5  HOW TO EXPRESS AN INTEREST
Any person being interested in this role as a Chair of the Wānaka Airport Liaison Committee should submit a written
expression of interest, including a brief curriculum vitae, to:
The Chief Executive
Queenstown Lakes District Council
Private Bag 50072
QUEENSTOWN
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Person Specification | Chair, Wānaka Airport Liaison Committee
Or via: [email address]
Decision Making Process
Decisions on these appointments wil  be made by resolution of the Full Council.
Al  expressions of interest wil  be acknowledged.
Further Enquiries
Any person considering expressing interest in this position is welcome to contact:
Mr Mike Theelen, Chief Executive, QLDC, Tel 03 441 0470.

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