We’re pleased to share this announcement from our Friends group, who oversee Wastebusters’ governance.
Mat Woods appointed new Wastebusters chair
The Friends of Wānaka Wastebusters are delighted to announce the appointment of Mat Woods as the new chair of Wastebusters.
“We are thrilled Mat has been appointed chair, a decision ratified by Wastebusters’ Board this week,” Friends’ chair Robyn Bardas said.
“With the upcoming retirement of our fabulous chair Sally Battson, we knew we had big shoes to fill. It’s a testament to the hard mahi of the Board and Wastebusters’ fantastic team that we attracted such an impressive field of candidates for the Board position. As we celebrate 25 years of community enterprise and circular economy action, the Friends feel really fortunate to be welcoming Mat to our amazing governance team.”
Mat is the Chief Executive of Destination Queenstown & Lake Wānaka Tourism, and brings an invaluable mix of a strong sustainable ethos, proven commercial leadership, deep regional expertise, and huge excitement for Wastebusters 2.0 to the position.
Mat said he is incredibly excited to take up the position of chair at Wastebusters.
“Wastebusters has been leading the way to zero waste for the past 25 years, through a range of impactful activities including their famous reuse shop, their repair events, business consultancy and real recycling services,” Mat said.
“The work it has done to accelerate behaviour change across the community in waste reduction is extraordinary. This next chapter for Wastebusters is extremely exciting, as we build on the success of the first 25 years and start to envision what Wastebusters 2.0 could look like – a bigger, better hub built for the future of the region. I look forward to this challenge and am eager to work alongside the Board and management team to continue the positive impact of Wastebusters for future generations.”
Outgoing Chair Sally Battson said Mat brings a huge skill set and in-depth knowledge of the Wānaka community.
“As a bonus, he already has a working relationship with our General Manager, Gina Dempster, through their shared work on the Lake Wānaka Tourism Board. He is ideally placed to lead Wastebusters through its coming phase of strategic growth and development,” Sally said.
“I’m so delighted that the robust recruitment process undertaken by the Friends of Wānaka Wastebusters, in consultation with a governance advisor, has resulted in this great appointment.”
The Friends want to extend their deepest gratitude and thanks to retiring chair Sally Battson, saying they are hugely grateful for Sally’s passion and tireless mahi for Wastebusters for almost two decades on the executive committee and then the Board.
“She has been the heart of the Board since 2015 and has chaired with grace and a steady hand. Her leadership has created a strong culture of collaboration and strategic, impactful thinking. We wish her well on her next chapter.”
The Friends also appointed new directors Simon Millar and Erica Brooks to the Board, and said goodbye to outgoing director Mike Toepfer, thanking him for his commitment to Wastebusters and invaluable contributions on the Board.
They welcome Simon’s business acumen and experience in the zero waste sector, and Erica’s background in systems and governance which will be an asset to the Board.
Robyn said the combined expertise of the established and newly appointed directors forms a strong governance team, ready to steer Wastebusters through this exciting next phase of Wastebusters 2.0.
This announcement was prepared by the Friends of Wānaka Wastebusters.
