Tūaropaki Trust celebrates Debbie Birch’s appointment to Westpac NZ Board
Tūaropaki Trust are delighted to celebrate the appointment of Debbie Birch, a Tūaropaki Trustee, as a director on the board of Westpac NZ. This landmark appointment symbolises a groundbreaking merging of expertise in finance, the NZ and Māori economy and sustainable energy solutions.
Debbie has more than 30 years’ senior executive experience in the commercial, finance and investment sectors with 17 years in Asia and Australia managing large global investment portfolios.
“We are immensely proud of Debbie's achievement in being appointed to the board of Westpac NZ,” said Gina Rangi, Tūaropaki Trust Chair. “Her leadership and expertise in finance and sustainable energy initiatives will undoubtedly contribute to shaping the bank's strategy. Her deep knowledge of the Māori economy, and the drivers underpinning the broader NZ economy, will serve Westpac NZ well.”
Debbie's appointment represents an acknowledgement of her skill and experience, as well as the importance of the Māori economy to the sector and the country. It signifies a step forward in ensuring technical excellence as well as a broader, more diverse range of expertise within corporate governance structures.
Debbie is a director of NZX and ASX listed Tourism Holdings Limited; Trust Tairāwhiti owned Eastland Group Limited including subsidiaries Gisborne Port, Eastland Generation, and Gisborne Airport; investment fund Te Pūia Tāpapa GP Limited, and Hawke’s Bay Regional Investment Company.
In 2023 Debbie was appointed as a director on the Miraka board and won the INFINZ Te Tohu Kahukura Māori Leadership in Finance Award.