John Sturgeon - Chairman

John was appointed  jointly by the four West Coast Councils in November 2010.  A Runanga resident and retired coal miner, John has a long association with the West Coast.  He is a current Trustee of the West Coast Community Trust, Halberg Trust, West Coast Sports Awards Trust, Solid Energy Sports Trust, while actively involved as President, Chairman or Committee member of many other local community organisations.  John is also President of the New Zealand Rugby Union, and made an MBE in 1991 for his services to sport.

Robert Buchanan - Deputy Chairman - New Zealand Law Society

Christchurch born, Robert specialises in public sector governance and risk management. A former director of the Law Commission, he was an Assistant Auditor-General for eight years until setting up his independent Wellington legal practice in 2006.

Mark Lockington - Institute of Chartered Accountants of NZ

Mark was born in Greymouth and educated in Reefton, Christchurch and Wellington. He has a New Zealand Certificate in Engineering (Civil & Structural), a Bachelor of Commerce, is a qualified Chartered Accountant and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of New Zealand. He has worked for companies in New Zealand and Australia in management, financial, treasury, accounting and administrative positions. He currently works for Westland Milk Products as Company Secretary.

Colin Smith - Grey District

Colin is a new Trustee and the elected representative of the Grey District. He attended South Westland Are School and then began a varied career including working for the Forest Research Institute, driving trucks and fishing commercially. Knowing he wanted to return to the Coast he began studying law at Otago University in 1985. Three years later graduated and joined Greymouth's Hannan & Seddon lawyers. Colin is a coach of the Marist Rugby Club, a member of the West Coast Rugby Union and has been active on the Paroa School Board of Trustees. 

Frank Dooley - Buller District

Frank is the current Chairman of Buller Electricity Ltd, holds numerous directorships and trustee positions and is actively involved as an advisor to many community organisations.

Evan Jones - Westland District

Evan is Westland District's representative and was born and bred in Hokitika. After leaving school he did a carpentry apprenticeship and headed to Sydney with his wife where he worked in the construction industry for nine years. When he returned to New Zealand he worked for Fergusons Civil Engineering specialising in building hydro intakes. He founded Evan Jones Construction in 1986. The company is based in Hokitika and has a branch in Blenheim. He is a member of the West Coast Rugby Union.

Helen Rasmussen

Born and raised in South Westland, Helen attended Te Wai Pounamu Maori Girls College in Christchurch. Helen is Tangata Whenua and Whakapapa to both Te Runanga O Maakawhio and Te Runanga O Ngati Waewae.

Helen and her husband currently own and operate the Haast On The Spot Express Supermarket, Cafe and Takeaways. They have been self employed for over 30 years and have various other business investments on the West Coast, of which Helen is a director of three companies.

Helen has served on many community boards and committees, including Local Government and Government appointed positions.