Bill Birnie, Managing Director of Birnie Capital Limited, Chairs the Far North Holdings’ Board.

He has over 30 years of investment banking experience, holds a Bachelor of Laws and was formerly a barrister and solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand.

Bill held the position of Chief Executive and Director of investment bankers Fay, Richwhite, with offices in Auckland, Wellington, Melbourne, Sydney and London from 1980 until the late 1990s.

He is the Chairman of orthopaedic instrument manufacturer, Enztec Ltd, a Director of TAB NZ and NZ Cricket and a Member of the New Zealand Screen Production Grants Verification Panel.

Bill has held a number of Government appointments including Deputy Chairman of Sport New Zealand, Chairman of Sport New Zealand’s Audit, Finance and Risk Committee, Deputy Chairman of High Performance Sport New Zealand, and Deputy Chairman of the New Zealand Film Commission. He has held the positions of Chairman and Director of ENZA, Director of the NZ Warriors Rugby League Franchise, Chairman of The KidsCan Charitable Trust, Member of The Screen Council of New Zealand, Commissioner of the Hillary Commission, and Trustee of The Pet Refuge Charitable Trust. He was also a Director of Equestrian Sports New Zealand, from which he received an Honorary Life Membership.

Bill was also a Founding Trustee of the Wellington Stadium Trust and was Deputy Chairman of the then government-owned Post Office Bank, before its sale to the ANZ Banking Group.

Bill received a Companion of the New Zealand Order or Merit for his services to Governance, The Arts and Sport in the 2018 New Years’ Honours.

Sarah Petersen

Sarah Petersen is a Chartered Accountant with governance experience in the not-for-profit, education, local government and property development sectors.

Sarah is experienced in assessing investment, infrastructure and economic development opportunities and managing risk, with experience chairing Audit & Risk Committees in various entities.

She was raised, educated and lives in Tai Tokerau so contributes deep understanding of the Northland regional economy and stakeholders. Sarah currently holds various non-executive director roles in local government, investment and education, is a member of the Institute of Directors, and currently chairs the Audit & Risk Committee for Far North Holdings.

Murray McCully CNZM

The Honourable Murray McCully CNZM retired from the New Zealand Parliament in 2017 having served as MP for East Coast Bays for 30 years. He served as a Minister in the Bolger, Shipley, Key and English Governments across a range of portfolios for a total of sixteen and a half years, the last eight and a half as Minister of Foreign Affairs. He also served as Minister of Sport for nine years and was Minister for the America’s Cup in 1999 and Minister for the Rugby World Cup 2011.

Murray McCully divides his time between bases in Auckland and Northland and remains active in international affairs. He was awarded the CNZM in 2014 for his leadership of New Zealand’s successful United Nations Security Council campaign.

Kevin Drinkwater BCom, CA

Kevin brings extensive technology, finance, and supply chain experience to the Far North Holdings Limited board. He is passionate about Northland, having been born and raised here, and educated at the three Kamo schools, before moving to Auckland for University.

Kevin brings a wealth of new business development, strategy, and change management expertise, having worked in the United Kingdom and the United States and is a seasoned global business traveller from his previous roles with Mainfreight.

Currently the chair of Duffy Books in Homes NZ, a founding board member of Books in Homes USA, and a director of North Power. Kevin is a past director of the SPCA Auckland and TUANZ. He retired from Mainfreight, after almost 35 years, at the end of 2020.

Nicole Anderson

Nicole is a professional director with a background in accountancy, health and business development.

A chartered member of the Institute of Directors (CMInstD), Nicole has been a member of various public and private sector governance bodies and is currently Director of the Ngapuhi Asset Holding Co, Top Energy and Chair of Northland Inc. A member of the NZ Conservation Authority and Deputy Chair of the International Accreditation Council.

Raised in Tamaki and Te Tai Tokerau, a past student of Northland college and now farming in the far north.

Ko Ngāpuhi tōna iwi, nō Hokianga ia. Ka noho ia ki Kerikeri ki te taha o tōna whānau.