5 questions lodged at 2026 Ryman Healthcare (RYM) hybrid AGM

Q1. Well done for the strong sales performance at Bert Newton Village in the latest quarter. How much, if anything, are we paying Bert Newton's family for the naming rights to our Bert Newton Village project in the south-east Melbourne suburb of Highett? What is the history of this naming arrangement and do we have any other residential facilities which are named after individuals apart from Richard Hadlee Village and Patrick Hogan Village?

Answer: The chair Dean Hamilton explained that all 47 centres in NZ and Victoria are named after famous Kiwis and Australians and the payments vary from site to site but aren't very large because many individuals and families like to see their legacy preserved. Watch video of exchange via Twitter.

Q2. New Zealand is becoming a governance backwater as it continues to resist mandating annual voting on remuneration reports, which is standard in many countries. Will the chair undertake to consult with major shareholders and lead a board discussion on the issue of whether you will voluntarily put up a rem report resolution for an advisory vote at next year's AGM? This is the law in Australia and we are dual listed on the ASX, so why don't we step up and respect shareholders by adopting Australian market practice?

Answer: The chair Dean Hamilton stressed that Ryman is a New Zealand company and they follow New Zealand law. That said, he acknowledged that rem disclosure had come a long way, but obviously not far enough to warrant a non-binding vote. Another disappointing rejection from across the ditch. Watch video of exchange via Twitter.

Q3. Dean Hamilton appears to be in breach of the Australian Shareholders' Association workload guidelines sitting on 4 major boards and chairing two of them: Rayman and Fulton Hogan. Was this issue raised during his pre-AGM governance roadshow with investors and proxy advisers and what is his response? Has there been a protest vote against his re-election today based on over-boarding concerns?

Answer: The chair said it hadn't been raised and there was no protest vote. He also stressed that private companies like Fulton Hogan are less intensive that public company boards such as Auckland International Airport and The Warehouse Group, where he also serves. Watch video of exchange via Twitter.

Q4. Thank you to Paula Jess for her nearly 7 years of service on the board. It is always helpful for investors to have access to some exit perspectives from retiring independent directors. In her final contribution as a Ryman director, could Paula please comment on what she regards as the best 2 decisions Ryman made during her time on the board and does she have any regrets?

Answer: Very poor form by Ryman Healthcare chair Dean Hamilton to block retiring director Paula Jess from offering some exit reflections after 6 years on the board. Chairman Dean was the new turnaround chair appointed 3 years ago and he'd earlier bagged out his predecessors. Watch video of chairman debate censorship via Twitter.

Q5. Could new director Hamish Rumbold and the chair comment on the recruitment process that led to his appointment to the board earlier this year. Was a head hunter involved, did the full board interview Hamish as a group and did they interview any other candidates? Did Hamish know any of our directors before engaging with the recruitment process?

Answer: The chair Dean Hamilton gave an excellent comprehensive answer. He said an external recruitment process failed after they'd interviewed 3-4 candidates served up by a headhunter and then he served up his new colleague from inside the Warehouse boardroom and then the rest of the board agreed Hamish would be a good recruit. Chairs often utilise this power with someone they know and trust. Watch video of exchange via Twitter, plus this video of his earlier attempt to prevent this final question being asked.

Copyright © 2026 The Mayne Report. All rights reserved

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