New appointment to Audit and Risk Committee for Waipā

A new independent member has been appointed to Waipā District Council’s Audit and Risk Committee.

Canterbury businesswoman Carol Bellette was endorsed by the council last week, and will attend her first meeting on October 7.

Deputy Chief Executive, and Group Manager Business Support, Ken Morris said Bellette was the standout candidate for the role. She is director of finance for the Crown Research Institute AgResearch Ltd, a former chief financial officer of the Christchurch City Council, and has held governance roles across a variety of industries from health and education to finance, infrastructure, Māori business and social services.

She is acquainted with the Waikato region, being the current deputy chair of Hamilton City Council’s Strategic Risk and Assurance Committee.

The role of the Audit and Risk Committee, which meets four times a year, is to provide independent assurance and assistance to the council on its risk, control and compliance framework, as well as its external accountability.