ASX Announcement - Mr Malcolm Williamson to Chair the EGMs on 21 May 2004 - 5 May 2004

The National's Chairman, Mr Graham Kraehe, today announced that the new non-executive Director, Mr Malcolm Williamson, has agreed to chair the Extraordinary General Meetings on 21 May 2004.

Mr Kraehe said he would not chair the Meetings given his personal interest in the resolutions before the Meetings.

"Mr Williamson has advised the National that as Chairman of the Meetings he will vote all undirected proxies pro rata with the directed proxies," Mr Kraehe said.

For further information:

Brandon Phillips     
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Group Corporate Relations 

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