Penny Simmonds Announces Final Appointment to Refreshed EPA Board

“EPA decisions impact the daily lives of all New Zealanders,” Simmonds said.

Environment Minister Penny Simmonds has confirmed the final appointment to the refreshed Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) board, welcoming Brett O’Riley as the latest member.

“I am pleased to welcome Brett O’Riley to the EPA board,” Simmonds announced. “Brett is a seasoned business advisor with a distinguished career spanning the technology, tourism, and sustainable business sectors.”

O’Riley, currently the Executive Chairman of Manawaroa Education and a member of the APEC Business Advisory Council, brings extensive governance expertise and a deep commitment to innovation. He also serves as Managing Partner at GSD Corporation and as an advisor at Tata Consultancy Services, where he assists in delivering technology-driven business solutions.

His three-year term on the EPA board will run until August 2027.

Brett O’Riley joins other first-term board members Barry O’Neil, Jennifer Scoular, Alison Stewart, and Nancy Tuaine, all of whom have been appointed to three-year terms as part of a wider refresh of the EPA’s governance.

The EPA, New Zealand’s national environmental regulator, plays a vital role in managing environmental protections across multiple sectors. Simmonds emphasized the importance of the EPA’s decision-making in balancing environmental safeguards with the needs of key industries, particularly agriculture and horticulture.

“EPA decisions impact the daily lives of all New Zealanders,” Simmonds said. “It’s critical to have timely, businesslike decision-making to ensure positive outcomes for both the environment and the economy.”

Simmonds expressed her confidence in the newly appointed board’s ability to achieve balanced results, adding, “I look forward to working closely with Brett and the rest of the refreshed board to protect our environment while supporting key industries.”