Infrastructure Holdings Limited (IHL) is a Council Controlled Trading Organisation, equally owned by Nelson City Council and Tasman District Council, actively managing the Council’s investments in Port Nelson Limited and Nelson Airport Limited. When IHL and its board was established in 2022, it was to undertake the treasury function, particularly external funding, plus at length oversight of the two distinctive services supplied by the strategic companies.
Following a governance review, the current three separate boards will become one, overseeing both operating companies and the treasury function. This is expected to provide board efficiency, while ensuring the security of the investment, along with the company’s growth and sustainability of output. The IHL Board will have direct governance oversight of over $575m in combined assets and annual revenue of over $102m.
Port Nelson is the maritime gateway, a vital hub for economic activity and a key facilitator of the region’s continued growth and prosperity. Handling a diverse range of cargo, including containers, logs, seafood, apples, wine, fuel and vehicles the port supports exporters and importers. The Port is Australasia’s largest seafood processing port and supports one of New Zealand’s strongest marine service clusters.
Nelson Airport is a key strategic asset with its commercial operations and services delivering significant benefits to the region. Its primary service is moving over 850 000 people each year, safely and efficiently, making it the country’s fifth busiest passenger airport. The airport also supports a diverse collection of aeronautical associated businesses throughout its precinct.
Expressions of interest from potential candidates to join the Board are now being sought. To succeed in this opportunity, you will be a diverse and strategic thinker and an active participant around the board table. Candidates with proven experience and credibility in some, or all, of the following areas are being sought:
- Governance experience ideally with infrastructure and services exposure
- Executive leadership aligned with similar culture to the service companies
- Financial and commercial acumen
- Infrastructure and Engineering oversight
- Port industry exposure
- Aviation industry exposure
- Awareness of the local economy, partners, stakeholders, and community
- Marketing and customer development
- Environmental and suitability management
- HR & Industrial relations
As an Independent Non-Executive Director, you will be responsible for providing guidance and oversight on the delivery of the IHL, Port Nelson and Nelson Airport business plans and strategies with a view to adding long-term value for shareholders.
To Apply, please submit your CV and a cover letter highlighting the skills you would contribute to governance best practice at Infrastructure Holdings Limited. Initial confidential enquiries regarding this position are welcome by contacting Nick Carter on 027 591 3422 or nick.carter@brannigans.co.nz
Applications for this role close 5pm, 9th October 2026