Auto Stewardship New Zealand (ASNZ) is a future-proofed governance structure that can provide the Product Stewardship Organisation (PSO) structure required by the Ministry for the Environment under the Waste Minimisation Act 2008 for all co-designed, regulated product stewardship schemes for vehicle related products.
Moving the dial on vehicle stewardship
ASNZ was initially set up by project managers, 3R Group Ltd, to provide the interim governance structure for the Tyrewise product stewardship programme in development. While this was the initial impetus for the establishment of the organisation, 3R and the trustees have the view that all parts of a vehicle, including batteries, will require stewarding in the future.
The 2012-13 Tyrewise Product Stewardship project, which has provided the foundation for the regulated scheme in development, is an exemplar for other vehicle related end of life projects. It brought together all tyre industry players prior to any mandatory requirements, and their continued pursuit of regulated stewardship over nearly a decade is to be commended.
The ASNZ trustees have advanced the desire to be the home of vehicle related stewardship in Aotearoa New Zealand, given many participants would be the same. So, whilst initially established as a Tyre Stewardship programme, the ASNZ would be able to provide a governance structure for all vehicle related stewardship programmes which ASNZ stakeholders have made a commitment to progress. In addition to tyres, the stakeholders are committed to stewardship of commonly replaced items, like car bumpers.
Auto Stewardship New Zealand is a registered not-for-profit charitable trust. Registered number: CC59525
Our objectives
- Be the Product Stewardship Organisation (PSO) which governs the product stewardship scheme for auto industry related regulated stewardship schemes, including tyres declared as priority product under Section 9 of the Waste Minimisation Act 2008, and all that entails;
- Receive and administer funds “levied” on consumers for the purpose of managing the national bank of “end of life tyres” within the regulation framework;
- Promote the aims of product stewardship in the auto industry to the benefit and advantage of all New Zealanders through the recovery, reuse and recycling of auto industry related products as identified from time to time;
- Collaborate with other developed programmes that may not be within Auto Stewardship New Zealand, but which benefit stewardship for the auto industry;
- Promote the adoption of programmes by the auto industry for environmentally sound waste management practices; and
- Respect and implement the dual heritage of the partners of Te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Treaty of Waitangi).
Trustees
Mark Gilbert – Chair
Mark has over 30 years’ automotive industry experience, for international company’s Volvo, and the BMW Group, where he held a number of senior executive roles, both in Asia and New Zealand. Since 2012, Mark has become a Professional Director, with Chair / Independent Director roles in a diverse range of organisations.
Current roles
- Chair, Minister of Transport’s Clean Car Sector Leadership Group
- Chair, Drive Electric Inc
- Governance Chair, Battery Industry Group
- Chair, Motorcycle Safety Advisory Council
- Chair, Bragato Research Institute
- Independent Director, PlantTech Research Ltd
- Deputy Chair, Appliance Connexion Ltd (100% retail stores)
- Independent Director, Firstflex Limited
Previous roles
- Member, Minister of Transport’s Electric Vehicle Programme Leadership Group
- Member, Technical Reference Group Transport- Climate Change Commission
- Board Member, Vehicle Testing NZ Ltd (MTA Appointee)
- Board Member, Auckland Transport, 2013 – 2019
- Chair, Tyrewise Project (MfE EOL Tyres), 2013 – present
David Vinsen
David has over 40 years’ experience in the motor industry and community organisations, as well as serving in family businesses in property and tourism.
- Chief Executive, VIA, 2003 – present
- Chair, ITSNZ – 2017 (Director), 2018 – present (Chair)
- Member, Low Emissions Vehicles Leadership Group, 2021 – present
- Member, EV Leadership Group – 2016
- Past President, Motor Vehicle Dealers Institute
- Trustee, Fidelity Fund – longest serving trustee
Sturrock Saunders
Sturrock has a proven track record of success in business, leadership and governance in the automotive sector. He has also been strongly involved in building pathways for young people to grow and succeed.
He is currently Vice-President of the Motor Trade Association (MTA), an organisation he has had strong links with. MTA has more than 3800 members, and the leading voice for the New Zealand automotive sector.
Sturrock has previously been a Director of the Motor Industry Training Organisation (MITO) which designed qualifications and training programmes that meet the needs of the automotive, transport, logistics, industrial textile fabrication and extractive industries.
Sturrock is currently Chairman of the Inspiring Futures Foundation, a newly formed charitable trust with the purpose of supporting learners, and employers creating a positive effect on the work environment of stakeholders. He is also a Director of Dekra NZ / Vehicle Testing NZ.
As someone with lifelong and family involvement in the automotive industry, and committed to ensuring the best life for future generations, Sturrock is a firm believer in stewardship and environmental programmes which benefit all New Zealanders.
Peter Ryan
Peter has 20 years’ international experience within the infrastructure industry, leading engineering, field and operational teams in the deployment, operations, and maintenance of mobile and fixed networks. He brings a wealth of experience in operations management, performance transformation as well as a proven ability working across technical, operational, and commercial strategy to optimise business objectives.
He is currently Chief Operating Officer – Electricity, Gas & Fibre at Vector Ltd. His previous roles include Chief Network Engineering Officer at NBNCo Australia.
Peter is passionate about ensuring an affordable and clean transition to a decarbonised future.
Kerryn Downey
Kerryn has over 40 years’ business experience in both New Zealand and Canada, including 32 years in management consulting, governance advisory and corporate insolvency assignments. Since his retirement in 2012, Kerryn has focused on directorships, business restructuring, expert witness, and litigation support and dispute resolution.
He completed a Bachelor of Commerce and Administration from Victoria University of Wellington (1967-1969), spent 24 years of his professional career in Canada (Clarkson Gordon / EY and KPMG) and was a partner of KPMG (Canada and New Zealand) and McGrathNicol in NZ for 25 years. Kerryn led the receivership of South Canterbury Finance Limited.
His board and governance experience includes advisory roles and close communication with regulators, government, professional bodies, stakeholder representatives and lawyers.
Kerryn’s business style is collaborative, non-confrontational and strategic, and he works effectively in a team structure. His broad based experience is well suited to problem identification and resolution and, after consultation with the relevant parties of interest, he will act decisively and responsibly.
Auto Stewardship New Zealand 