Tenby Powell Joins Rescue Helicopter Board

Rakino Group Ceo Tenby Powell Joins The Auckland Rescue Helicopter Board

Auckland, 10 August 2007: Tenby Powell, Chief Executive of Rakino Group, has become a Trustee of the Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust (ARHT) board.
The ARHT began the world’s first ever civilian rescue helicopter service back in 1970 and since then has performed more than 10,000 rescues. The Westpac Rescue Helicopter is the only rescue helicopter service in New Zealand that operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It receives no government funding.

On the Trust board, Mr Powell will join forces again with Murray Bolton (Chairman), who was his old boss at Skellerup Group when he was CEO at Projex. Other Trustees are broadcaster Paul Holmes, former National Party President Michelle Boag, Consultant Anaesthetist John McDougall and ARHT CEO Rea Wikaira.

Mr Powell’s experience spans both the private business sector and the Military. He held senior management positions in Fletcher Challenge and Skellerup Group, prior to forming his own company Hunter Powell Investments Limited, now a major shareholder in Rakino Group Limited, a leading New Zealand equipment rental and distribution group, where he holds the position of Chief Executive Officer.

He has also served in the Regular and Reserve Forces of the New Zealand Army for 24 years and currently holds the rank of Lieutenant Colonel as the Commanding Officer of the 3rd Auckland and Northland Battalion.

“I’m delighted to join such a skilled group of people on the Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust Board and I look forward to contributing to the strategic leadership of such a vital community rescue service, which is so essential to the whole Auckland region,” says Mr Powell.

Rental equipment leader Hirepool, a member of the Rakino Group, last year provided the design and engineering of a trailer to house the ARHT’s Flight Simulator, as well as a generator to provide off-site power, a sponsorship of around $50,000.

The purpose-built trailer enables the Simulator to be transported to other venues allowing more helicopter pilots the ability to train and make sure that their level of skills for making rescue flights is at peak performance. The dual purpose of the trailer means the Flight Simulator can be taken to events where it is used as a revenue earner for the Trust.

Last year, the ARHT flew 613 rescue missions involving more than 450 flying hours at a total cost of $2.3million.

CAPTION: Fellow Trustees Rakino Group CEO Tenby Powell and ARHT CEO Rea Wikaira in front of the Flight Simulator.

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