The Accelerate35 Lead Team facilitates initiatives, encourages thought leadership, enables investment and drives growth off central government funding programmes and strategies to establish the Central North Island as a growth centre for the New Zealand economy.

Members of this Lead Team were appointed for their skills and knowledge, rather than being representatives of sector groups. They also appointed a facilitator, Michael McCartney, CE of Horizons Regional Council. The programme director, Craig Nash of Spearhead, reports to the Lead Team and works with project leads to implement the actions in the Plan.

Michael McCartney

Michael McCartney (Lead Team Facilitator)

Michael McCartney is the facilitator for the Accelerate35 Lead Team and Chief Executive at Horizons Regional Council. Michael also chairs the Regional Council Chief Executive Group, a collective of all the regional and unitary council chief executives from across New Zealand, and is the key link from that Group to the Regional Sector Group, the collective of all the regional and unitary council mayors and chairs.

Michael has also been a regional sector representative on the Land and Water Forum as well as a member of a number of sector subgroups addressing topics such as fresh water, biosecurity and Māori engagement in local government decision making. He also chairs MW LASS Ltd – a shared service company to which seven Manawatu-Wanganui local councils are shareholders.

Rachel Keedwell

Rachel Keedwell

​​Elected as Chair for Horizons Regional Council in October 2019, Rachel was first elected in 2013 as one of Council’s four Palmerston North candidates. During her previous two terms, Rachel was chair of Horizons’ Passenger Transport Committee.

Rachel is a scientist with a PhD in ecology, an area she has previously consulted in, as well as working alongside her husband for 17 years as business owners in the building industry. She also has strong connections with community and environmental groups

Grant Smith

​​Grant Smith

Elected the 29th Mayor of Palmerston North City in February 2015, Grant was first elected to the City Council as a Councillor in 2013. He has served previously on a number of business boards, community and cultural organisations, with an extensive background managing small to medium sized businesses and was previously a regional business award winner. He has managed several international sporting events and has many years’ experience on multiple sporting boards.

Grant believes with Palmerston North becoming a larger more diverse city, it must show some leadership to help the region succeed. With an advantageous central location, a smart young workforce, and strong, stable economy, the latent potential to grow is there.

Michael Eden

Michael Eden

​Michael Eden founded GDM Group, a specialist manufacturer and exporter of retail systems in 1978. The Group of NZ and Australian Companies remain privately-owned and Michael leads a management team and staff of 60 at its Whanganui Head office and factory. The company also has a large, joint venture manufacturing plant in China. Michael travels to Australia, China and Europe regularly to connect with markets and manufacturing facilities.

​Michael is a long term executive member and current President of the NZ Retail Interior Association. He has held Directorships of several local companies, including a 6 year term on Whanganui District Council Holdings. He completed the NZ Institute of Directors Course in 2007.

Mavis Mullins

Mavis Mullins

Ko Rangitane me Atihaunui a Paparangi oku Iwi, Mavis Mullins ahau. Tihei Mauriora.

Mavis has a variety of business and governance interests predominantly based around the primary sector and Maori economic development. Being dairy famers and shearing contractors based in Dannevirke she has many opportunities to engage and understand the pulse of rural New Zealand.

Mavis is Chair of Atihau Whanganui Inc; Patron of AWDT, chairs the Tararua Plantain project, and holds governance positions on Te Ahu a Turanga Alliance Team, UNICEF Aotearoa NZ, Moana Fisheries and Hawkes Bay Rugby Union. She is currently the Interim General Manager for Te Kete Hauora o Rangitane.

Tracey Collis

Tracey is currently serving her second term as Mayor of Tararua District Council. Through leading a small town in rural New Zealand, Tracey is an advocate for sustainable business, a strong economy, healthy environment and resilient communities. She is a member of the Institute of Directors, as well as a member of her local Chamber of Commerce, and firmly believes that farming is a business that needs to have a presence and voice in the community.

Other governance roles are as Chair of the Eketāhuna Charitable Trust and Chair of the Waireka Community Trust, and a member of Te Āpiti Manawatū Gorge Governance Group, Jobs for Nature Governance Group, and the Dairy Leaders Group. She rounds out her community commitment serving as a Justice of the Peace.