Alan Milne

Alan tells us that being a Kiwi is great preparation for participation in Friendship Force International! New Zealand is a multicultural country and Kiwis have daily opportunities to live the FF mission to “promote global understanding across the barriers that separate people.” Kiwis celebrate the cultural and scenic diversity of their beautiful country every single day, and being a typical Kiwi, Alan is optimistic, sensitive, understanding and resourceful. His motto?  “Life is about people.” 

Alan brings varied and valuable business experience to Friendship Force International. From 2001 until 2007, he was Mayor of the Kapiti Coast District Council, a position to which he was elected twice, each time with a significant majority. Alan provided this rapidly growing area with six years of strong and effective community leadership during which time he achieved many successes. He was intrinsically involved in setting local policies, and ensuring that all legal requirements and fiscal requirements were met.

Alan also has a very strong track record of expertise in management and in the financial and legal aspects of running a land and property development consultancy as well as within various community organisations including Lions (42 years) and a local community trust providing care and housing for senior citizens (20 years).  Alan has taken a leading role in concern for climate change and protection and was New Zealand’s official local authority representative at the 2005 UN climate conference in Montréal. He has excellent listening skills and always takes seriously the greater good of the community as a whole.  He considers himself a lateral thinker.  His contribution to his community was recognised by the award of Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2010.

Alan celebrates 47 years of marriage to Mary. They have four adult children and four grandchildren. He enjoys a wide range of hobbies, including art, photography, caravanning and gardening. They have traveled extensively. 

Responsible for the formation of The Friendship Force of Kapiti Coast, he and Mary first hosted in 1987 when the club was formed.  Since then they have experienced exchanges to the United States, Brazil, Columbia, Ecuador, Australia, Japan, New Caledonia, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany.

During his first two years as a director he has initiated the Wayne Smith medal, played a leadership role in the review of the Strategic Plan and contributed to the development of a new CEO Review process.  He is excited by the opportunity to chair and lead your 2011 Board of Directors and to further the dream of Wayne Smith.