Barry Harris and John Bridgman have been appointed to the board of Waikato Waters.
2 October 20261 min read
The Shareholders Representative Forum of Waikato Waters has appointed Barry Harris and John Bridgman to the water company’s board, bringing the total number of directors to five. The positions are effective from 1 October 2026.
Waikato Waters is the council-controlled organisation established to progressively bring together the drinking water and wastewater operations of the Hauraki, Matamata-Piako, Ōtorohanga, South Waikato, Waipā and Waitomo districts through a three-tranche transition programme.
Independent chair of the Shareholders Representative Forum, Don McLeod, says the appointments further strengthen the board’s governance capability as the organisation continues to integrate shareholder councils’ water services operations.
"It is important that the board brings together a broad mix of governance, commercial and infrastructure experience to support Waikato Waters as it takes on its responsibilities and plans for the future," says McLeod.
Harris has extensive governance experience across local government, agriculture, infrastructure and commercial sectors. He currently chairs the New Zealand Institute for Bioeconomy Science, McFall Fuel, Hamilton Airport Company and WEL Networks.
His previous governance roles include DairyNZ, Primary ITO, CentrePort, RD1, AgResearch, OSPRI, Food Innovation Waikato and Local Authority Shared Services, among others. He holds a Master of Agricultural Science.
Bridgman brings more than 40 years of experience in engineering, project delivery and asset management. He is currently chair of City Rail Link Limited and a director of Kāinga Ora, Leighs Group and Portus Holdings. Previously, he was chief executive of Crown Infrastructure Delivery and managing director of AECOM New Zealand.
McLeod says the appointments come at an important stage in Waikato Waters’ development.
"Barry and John bring complementary skills and experience that will add further depth to the board. We are pleased to welcome them as Waikato Waters prepares its first Water Services Strategy and continues to build the foundations for long-term service delivery across the region."
