Evans brings more than 40 years of strategic leadership and governance experience to the role
Ripeka Evans has been appointed to the HortNZ board as an independent director.
Evans brings more than 40 years of strategic leadership and governance experience across a range of sectors including media, technology, investment, infrastructure, primary industries, property, tertiary education, health, business and Māori development.
She is currently deputy chair and a director of TVNZ, and is a director of Tupu Tonu – the Ngāpuhi Investment Fund, Wellington Regional Council Holdings and Greater Wellington Rail.
Her appointment reflects HortNZ’s commitment to strong, values-based governance that represents the ambition and innovation that defines the horticulture industry.
In a release announcing the appointment HortNZ said Evans brings connectedness and practical primary sector experience to the HortNZ board. As a shareholder and Kaitiaki-steward of kiwifruit orchards, she understands the realities and responsibilities of food production and supply for Aotearoa-New Zealand.
The organisation added that her knowledge and experience of primary industries, infrastructure and government, coupled with her governance expertise, would strengthen HortNZ’s ability to represent growers’ interests at every level and that she is particularly focused on innovation and intergenerational growth.
Evans holds a Master of Business Administration degree - Research, Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Human Resource Management, Marketing and the Business Environment - from Massey University. She is of Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Kahu, Te Aupōuri and Ngāti Porou descent.
