Page 10 - HW AUGUST 2019

hard news
Mitre 10 NZ
names new CEO
As already revealed online, following an international search, Australian career retailer Chris Wilesmith has been revealed as the new Chief Executive of Mitre 10 New Zealand.
Currently ANZ MD of Supercheap Auto, the experienced retailer replaces Neil Cowie, who left Mitre 10 in February after five years in the role and is now Director at Cooperative Business New Zealand.
Mitre 10 Chairman, Martin Dippie, says he is thrilled with the appointment: “We see Chris as expertly placed to lead Mitre 10 through the exciting times ahead. Importantly, he will also be an excellent fit for our unique and special culture.”
A graduate of the Australian Graduate School of Management, Chris has spent the last 12 years at Super Retail Group.
His CV also includes GM at Toys ‘R’ Us and senior management roles in merchandise and retail ops for Dick Smith and Big W.
The incoming CE says he’s excited to join Mitre 10: “It is a real honour to be offered the opportunity to join a team that has built an iconic brand that means so much to New Zealanders.
“What excites me is the Mitre 10 culture; its focus on team, community, and fascination with growing a global best practice organisation into the future for its suppliers, partners and customers to benefit from.”
A keen mountaineer and cyclist, Chris Wilesmith is moving his family to New Zealand, ready to commence his new role in early September.
www.mitre10.co.nz
Government announces RMA review
ON TOP OF the massive task in reforming building regulations that’s already in train, last month the Government also launched a comprehensive overhaul of the complex and widely vilified Resource Management Act (RMA).
A proposal for reform, including drafts of key legislative provisions, is expected by mid-2020 and a Bill to amend the current RMA will be introduced “in
the next few months” to address urgent issues, pending the comprehensive rewrite.
The reform is intended to “cut complexity and costs and better enable urban development, while also improving protection of the environment”.
Environment Minister, David Parker, says of the plan: “It is unacceptable
for this cornerstone law to be underperforming in a country that values protection of the environment while
properly housing its people. Our aim is to produce a revamped law fit for purpose in the 21st century that will cut complexity and cost while better protecting our environment.”
The intent to reform this almost 30 year- old legislation has been widely applauded by many including the Resource Reform New Zealand (RRNZ) group which has campaigned for a review.
RRNZ encompasses the Employers & Manufacturers Association (EMA), Environmental Defence Society (EDS), Property Council New Zealand, Infrastructure New Zealand and BusinessNZ.
The RMA was the first legislation of its type in the world to combine both environmental and planning matters but is now widely considered well overdue for a comprehensive overhaul and first principles review.
ComCom to keep an eye out for greenwashing, online retail
THE COMMERCE COMMISSION released its “priority focus areas” for the upcoming year at the end of July.
Each year the Commission targets its resources on specific areas which are important to everyday life and the economy.
This year there are eight focus areas, of which two in particular are worth highlighting for our readers: • Environmental claims.
• Online retail.
You can expect the Commerce Commission to pay particularly close attention to these two areas in the coming weeks and months.
https://comcom.govt.nz/
8 NZHJ | AUGUST 2019
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