On Monday night, the new board appointed Mr Mitchell for six months, with Phil Hope deputy chairman. These roles will reverse for the second half of the year.
The decision was in the interests of achieving a stronger mandate for leadership and a higher level of consensus at the board table, Mr Mitchell said in a statement yesterday.
Mr Hope will also represent the trust on the Waitaki District Council harbour and heritage committee, replacing Bill Blair, who was not re-elected to the board last month.
‘‘This decision recognises the high number of votes Mr Hope received from membership and will provide time for him to become better acquainted with the operation of the trust,'' Mr Mitchell said.
Mr Hope, an Oamaru lawyer, topped the poll in the annual election for the trust board, while Graeme Martin secured the other vacancy on the eight-member board.
The election became controversial when the applications of more than 50 potential members were not approved by the board in December last year.
They became ineligible under the trust's constitution to vote in this year's election.
