23.     Term of office and casual vacancies on the Board

23.1     With regards the inaugural election of Directors under these Rules, the term of office of Directors elected by:

(a)        the North East Regional Council;

(b)        the South West Regional Council; and

(c)        the Central (West) Regional Council

            will

(d)        commence at 6.00am on the day of the first Board meeting held after the commencement of these Rules; and

(e)        expire at the conclusion of the annual general meeting held in 2009.

23.2     With regards the inaugural election of Directors under these Rules, the term of office of Directors elected by:

(a)        the East Regional Council;

(b)        the North West Regional Council;

(c)        the Mid West Regional Council; and

(d)        the Central (East) Regional Council

            will

(e)        will commence at 6.00am on the day of the first Board meeting held after the commencement of these Rules; and

(f)         will expire at the conclusion of the annual general meeting held in 2008.

23.3     Subject to rules 23.1 and 23.2, the term of office of Directors:

(a)        will commence at the conclusion of the annual general meeting held next after their election by their respective Regional Council; a

(b)        will expire at the conclusion of the annual general meeting held in the second calendar year thereafter.

23.4     An Independent Chairman (if appointed) shall be appointed for a maximum term of two years, though is eligible for reappointment.

23.5     In the event of a casual vacancy of an elected Director:

(a)        the relevant alternate director shall fill the vacancy for the balance of the current term; and

(b)        the relevant Regional Council may elect another Regional Councillor to fill the alternate director vacancy for the balance of the current term.