The NZFlag.com Trust is a non profit charitable trust which has been established with the sole purpose of encouraging New Zealanders to change the flag. The Trust relies on donations and proceeds from the sale of merchandise to fund its operation. The Trust aims to encourage the Government to put a referendum to all New Zealanders at the 2005 General election on the question "Should New Zealand change its flag?". If over 50% of New Zealander's support such a change, the Trustees anticipate an independent body would be empowered to choose a new flag for New Zealand. Should that be the case, and in the unlikely event, the Trust has accumulated spare funds, then those funds will be donated to registered charities.
The present Trustees of the NZFlag.com Trust are :
Waimaria Erueti
Waimaria works in the tourism industry and is based in Rotorua. Her career
started out in the fishing industry where as a marine biology graduate
she worked in both public and private sectors for a time including a role
as Fisheries Convenor with the National Maori Congress. The pull to follow
her dream of competing at the Olympics then took her to Europe to train
and compete on the World Fencing Circuit for 6 years. Based in Milan she
also worked with an Italian leisure wear company which had a brand based
on the voyaging culture of Maori. The opportunity to promote her culture
in an international context along with 15 years of competing for New Zealand
on the international fencing circuit instilled a passion and drive, to
want to tell the world about our country and our identity.
Often at international competitions there were opportunities to stand in front of the NZ flag and at times, rise to our national anthem. This experience sometimes left her feeling disconnected - as if they didn't really capture or represent the place and people she knew as a New Zealander.
She belongs to the tribes of Ngati Mutunga, Ngati Ruanui and Ati Haunui a Paparangi and her whakapapa enables her to call Taranaki, Whanganui and the Chatham Islands home!
Waimaria is married and mum to 5 year old Te Moananui a Kiwa
Jon Mayson
Born in Oamaru in 1945, Jon was raised in Christchurch and in the rural back blocks of Wanganui and Dannevirke. Jon pursued a sea-going career in the Merchant Navy, culminating in qualifying as a Foreign Going Master before coming ashore to the Ports industry at Tauranga in 1972 where he currently holds the position of Chief Executive at the Port of Tauranga Limited.
Over the years, Jon has pursued an active role in the local community, was an elected member of the Bay of Plenty Harbour Board from 1974 to 1980 and was the inaugural President of the NZ Maritime Pilots’ Association. He completed an MBA in 1991 and has been actively involved in supporting the arts in Tauranga through sponsorship of the Tauranga Art Gallery and the Tauranga Arts Festival. Jon has undertaken consultancy work for the Asia Development Bank and private consultants involving port privatisation and development in South East Asia. He was instrumental in taking the Port of Tauranga Limited into the New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development and drove the successful bid for Tauranga to host the "Around Alone" single-handed yacht race in 2003.
His interests include sailing (he was navigator on the Endeavour replica in 1996), tramping, snow skiing, enjoying the company of his wife Bev, 3 daughters, 4 grandchildren and those with whom he shares a love of good wine.
The Independent: Jon Mayson puts his stamp on Tauranga port 3/03/04
Lloyd Morrison
Lloyd Morrison is the founder of Morrison & Co, a specialist infrastructure business.
He is also Managing Director of Infratil Limited, a specialist infrastructure
investment company which is listed on the NZX. Lloyd is Vice Chairman of NZX;
a Director of the Port of Tauranga, TrustPower and Wellington International Airport;
and, a member of the Advisory Board of Fairfax New Zealand. As a long term supporter
of the arts and music in particular, he established the HRL Morrison Music Trust
Lloyd is married and has five young children.
The Listener: Lloyd Morrison 9/02/04
Paul Ridley-Smith
Paul Ridley-Smith works for Morrison & Co and manages many of Infratil's
major asset transactions. He is also a Director of Wallace Corporation
and has practised as a lawyer in Wellington, Hong Kong and New York. Paul
has traveled to many places around the world, with a (now) tattered New
Zealand flag sewn to his backpack. Occasionally, he was recognised as
a fellow Australian (the identity confusion goes both ways) and, on more
than one occasion, as Icelandic. Other New Zealanders would pass by without
recognising a compatriot. But with a black t-shirt with a silver fern
or kiwi, recognition and affiliation, across crowded bars, bus terminals,
airports and elsewhere, was warm and immediate. Paul believes that New
Zealanders are held in high regard around the world as hard workers, honest
and committed to their beliefs. But most people don't know who we are.
Paul is a keen sportsman. He represented Wellington as an Under 12 soccer
player and hopes to do better than that one day soon.
Paul is married with two girls and a 4 legged son called Teddy.