Rail Minister Winston Peters has defended former KiwiRail director Scott O’Donnell after figures revealed he received $44,630 during a board tenure lasting less than seven months, while missing or being excluded from 34 of 93 agenda items.
According to a report in state-funded media, O’Donnell, who resigned early to pursue a business opportunity in Australia, was subject to an extensive conflict-of-interest management plan covering 10 companies linked to his business interests, requiring him to step aside from numerous discussions.
Governance experts said the arrangement appeared cumbersome and potentially disruptive, with one likening his repeated departures from meetings to being “in and out like a yo-yo”.
Peters rejected criticism, arguing O’Donnell participated in more than 83 percent of agenda items where conflicts did not apply and followed standard governance procedures.
However, when absences for other reasons were included, O’Donnell attended about 63 percent of agenda items during his time on the state-owned rail operator’s board.
Feed the beast with substantial donations and you get special privileges with “nothing to see here”.
“O’Donnell is one of the four directors of Dynes Transport Tapanui, which donated $20,000 to NZ First in July 2024. O’Donnell was appointed to the board by Peters for a three-year term starting in September 2025, with 11 conflicts of interests identified? Peters has previously told RNZ the donation played no part in O’Donnell’s appointment”. (Tui Billboard)
Dynes Transport (Dynes Group) is a 50/50 joint venture owned by Dynes Heritage Limited (led by Peter Dynes) and the H. W. Richardson Group (HWR), one of New Zealand’s largest transport and logistics companies.
https://www.companyhub.nz/companyDetails.cfm?nzbn=9429040260594
Vote for the New Zealand Loyal Party, and the foolishness stops!
https://nzloyal.com/justice/
anon, thanks for the info
Wish I could get that kind of dosh for attending a few meetings…oh well, back to my hard working life………