Crown Regional Holdings Limited

Crown Regional Holdings Limited (CRHL) is a Schedule 4A asset holding company for loan, equity and asset investments managed by Kānoa – Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit (Kānoa – RDU).

The government established CRHL, a Schedule 4A company, under the Public Finance Act 1989. The Minister of Finance and Minister for Economic and Regional Development, on behalf of the Crown, each hold 50% of the issued ordinary shares in the company ('Shareholding Ministers').

Governance in the Public Sector is about achieving desired results and achieving them in the right way. The Board of Directors was appointed to provide oversight of investments held by Crown Regional Holdings Limited and complies with guidelines stipulated by the Public Sector Commission. The inaugural Board was appointed in September 2019 and has subsequently been expanded to a Board of six.

Board of directors

Chair – John Rae (B.Com, LLB)

Man in a business suit with short grey hair and facial hair stands in front of a window in a high rise office buildingJohn is a professional Director and advisor to a number of companies around New Zealand.

He is a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors and has/had Director or Chairman roles for a number of New Zealand companies involved in the infrastructure, investment, agriculture, horticulture, energy, iwi, waste and economic development sectors.

He was involved in banking in New Zealand and London in various treasury and capital market roles for 10 years before returning to New Zealand in 1991 and undertaking a number of private equity, venture capital and corporate finance transactions in New Zealand and Australia. 

For 9 years until early 2010, John was Managing Director of Stevenson Group, one of New Zealand’s largest private companies with more than 600 employees. He was responsible for a major transformation of this almost 100-year-old company into a successful, diversified investment group with significant interests in construction materials, quarrying, mining, agriculture, engineering and property.

John’s current roles include Chair of Landcorp Limited, Director of Bremworth Limited, a Panel Member on the Waste Minimisation Fund and Chair of Gisborne Holdings Limited – the Tairawhiti region’s investment CCTO.

Director – Neville Harris QSO

Mid shot of man with white hair, standing, wearing a black suit, blue and white striped shirt, and purple tie.

Neville Harris QSO was appointed to the CRHL Board on 3 September 2019. He worked for most of his career in the Public Sector in New Zealand with prominent roles in the management and supervision of the regulatory framework for corporations, securities, insolvency, intellectual property rights and Crown mineral estate.

He was a Deputy Secretary at the Ministry of Economic Development until 2013. He is Chair of the Racing Integrity Board and on the board of the New Zealand Antarctic Institute. Mr Harris was previously a member of the Independent Advisory Panel of the Provincial Growth Fund.

Director - Rosie Mercer

Mid shot of woman with shoulder-length blonde, curly hair, wearing a black blazer and shirt, and white skirt.Rosie Mercer is a civil engineer and Chartered Member of Engineering New Zealand. She is the Chief Executive Officer at Marsden Maritime Holdings Ltd, and before that was Ports of Auckland’s General Manager of Sustainability. Rosie was a group member of the Fast-Track Projects Advisory Group.

Her career started at engineering services group Beca, delivering airfield and highway projects in New Zealand and overseas. She also served in the New Zealand Defence Force.​ Rosie was previously Deputy Chair of the Provincial Growth Fund’s Independent Advisory Panel.

Director - Angela Edwards

Angela Edwards joins the board from 1 January 2025.

Director - Michael Greenslade

Michael Greenslade joins the board from 1 January 2025.

Director - Mat Bolland

Mat Bolland joins the board from 1 January 2025.

CRHL objectives

CRHL's key objectives are to:

  • act as the nominated legal entity for taking novation of Kānoa – RDU investments,  
  • act at all times in accordance with its constitution and its management agreement with the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) in relation to any matter relating to those investments, 
  • supervise and monitor the performance of MBIE's obligations under the management agreement, and 
  • subject to compliance with the Companies Act 1993, distribute the receipts or proceeds of any Kānoa – RDU investments to Shareholding Ministers, as agents of the Crown, unless otherwise agreed between CRHL, MBIE and shareholding ministers.

CRHL does not have a decision-making mandate to originate the investments that it holds. Once investments are novated (transferred), CRHL does not have an operational role in the day-to-day management and administration of CRHL investments.

These functions are outsourced to Kānoa – Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit, part of the Ministry for Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) through a management agreement which authorises it to act on the Company’s behalf. 

CRHL was first incorporated with the Companies Office on 3 September 2019 as Provincial Growth Fund Limited. On 24 June 2021, the company became Crown Regional Holdings Limited upon receiving Cabinet approval.

Do you have a complaint or problem?

We aim to provide you with the highest quality service and support. But if you do have a complaint or encounter a problem, please let us know as soon as possible. 

CRHL investments are managed on a day to day basis by the Kānoa – RDU. Any complaint will also be handled by Kānoa – RDU on behalf of CRHL in the first instance. 

Step 1 – Let's sort it out 

It may be that you have some feedback, or are seeking information or an explanation. In this case, discuss the issue with the person you’ve been dealing with, or the Investment Director involved, at Kānoa – RDU. 

Step 2 – Review

If your issue is not resolved through Step 1, or you would like to make a complaint: 

Email us

Alternatively, if you would rather speak to someone, you can contact us by calling the main MBIE helpline:

04 472 0030

If you are contacting us on behalf of someone else, you need to attach evidence that you have the authority to act on their behalf. We will also contact them to confirm we have this permission.

We will acknowledge your complaint within five business days. We will then investigate your complaint and let you know when you should expect a full response. In any event, your complaint should be responded to within 28 days.

Still not satisfied? 

Crown Regional Holdings Limited is a Participant of the Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman Scheme Inc., so if you’re still not satisfied after going through the above process, you can take your complaint to the Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman Scheme Inc. (IFSO Scheme).

Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman Scheme