To provide for policyholder and public confidence in Southern Response’s implementation of the Package, the Government has established an Independent Oversight Committee (IOC).
The purpose of the IOC is to provide independent oversight, make recommendations to the board of directors of Southern Response, and report significant issues to the Crown. In particular, the IOC will, amongst its tasks:
- provide independent oversight of Southern Response’s decision-making in respect of the implementation and delivery of the package;
- seek independent advice or peer review on key issues;
- conduct an independent periodic review of Southern Response’s processes and decision-making in respect of the implementation and delivery of the package;
- provide advice and recommendations to the Southern Response board and the Crown on matters relating to the interests of Southern Response policyholders relevant to the implementation and delivery of the package.
David Ayers is chair of the IOC and comes with 30 years’ experience in local government with nine of those as Mayor of Waimakariri District Council from 2010 to 2019. As well as his work for local government, David was a member of the secondary teaching profession for 37 years, including 17 years as an Assistant or Deputy Principal in Christchurch and Rangiora. He is chair of the Canterbury Museum Trust Board and works at a governance level in the Methodist Church of New Zealand.
Nina Khouri is a lawyer and mediator specialising in the resolution of disputes. She has extensive experience resolving earthquake-related disputes between insurers and homeowners. She is also an Academic Fellow at the University of Auckland Faculty of Law where she teaches and researches in civil justice and dispute resolution.
Sandra Manderson served over 35 years as a police officer and commander, becoming the first woman in the New Zealand Police to achieve the rank of Superintendent. She has held many significant positions in the Police both in New Zealand and overseas, including six years as District Commander Canterbury Region. Later she returned to Christchurch to assist in earthquake recovery efforts and to lead police operations for several major events. Currently Sandra is a member of the International Cricket Council’s Anti-Corruption Unit.
Felicity Caird is a governance professional with nearly 20 years’ experience working with boards across all sectors (public, for-profit and not-for-profit). She has held leadership roles at the Institute of Directors (IoD) and prior to that in the public sector. Her current governance roles include chairing the Racing Safety Development Fund Industry Working Group, and as an independent member on the boards of Racing New Zealand, Master Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers NZ Inc, the Low Volume Vehicle Technical Association Inc and as an external member on the Porirua City Council Audit and Risk Committee.
The IOC webpage, containing additional information including communications and reports, can be found here.
The most recent IOC update to Policyholders can be found here.