Former Wellington Mayor Dame Kerry Prendergast has been appointed the independent chair of the Tauranga City Council’s audit and risk committee for the next three years.

The committee’s role is to maintain robust financial and governance practices and manage risk, the council said in a media release today.

Tauranga mayor Mahé Drysdale said Prendergast’s extensive governance background “would help ensure robust discussion and sound decision-making for the benefit of our city”.

“An independent chair creates an environment which encourages consideration of a wide range of ideas and risk management possibilities.

“It also helps the community understand the background and accountability for council decisions.”

Dame Kerry Prendergast. Photo / Supplied

Prendergast was Wellington Mayor from 2001 to 2010, a former vice-president of Local Government New Zealand and was made a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (DNZM) in 2019.

Prendergast said she was delighted to take on this role and contribute to Tauranga’s future.

“Good governance is about creating trust and clarity and I look forward to working with the committee to ensure robust processes are in place to support the city’s growth and wellbeing.”

Prendergast’s governance portfolio includes chairing Wellington Free Ambulance, Wellington Opera, the Royal New Zealand Ballet, the Tourism Industry Association and Capital Kiwi.

She is also a director of Oceania Healthcare and FishServe, and a trustee of the Wellington International Arts Foundation and the New Zealand Community Trust.

She also received a Lifetime Excellence Award for Outstanding Contribution to Local Government in 2016.