Mark Ford, Auckland, CNZM
For services to local government. Mr Ford was the Executive Chairman of the Auckland Transition Agency which was established to amalgamate eight local authorities into one Auckland Council, and 20 to 30 Local Boards, and to improve services such as wastewater and transport for Aucklanders. Before this role, he was Chief Executive of Watercare from 1994 to 2009, and Chief Executive of the Auckland Regional Services Trust from 1992 to 1994. He has also been Chair of the Auckland Regional Transport Authority, the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority, a director of Ports of Auckland, and Tarawera Forests. He was Commissioner of the Gambling Commission from 2003 to 2007. Since 1999 he has been a trustee of the Bruce Jesson Foundation, an organisation formed to promote political, social and economic investigation and debate. Mr Ford was a member of the ministerial advisory group for the Sustainable Water Programme for Action.