CEO of Greater Wellington resigns to take job at Fonterra
Barry Harris, the Chief Executive of Greater Wellington Regional Council today announced his resignation to take up a
senior executive role at Fonterra Co-operative Group Ltd.
“I’m sorry to be leaving Greater Wellington Regional Council,” said Barry Harris. “I’ve greatly enjoyed my two years
with the organisation and working with staff and Councillors on issues that really matter to the region, but the chance
to take a senior role at Fonterra was not to be missed.”
Ian Buchanan, the Chairperson of the Greater Wellington Regional Council said he was sorry to be losing a very high
quality CEO, but congratulated Barry Harris on being offered a top job with New Zealand’s top company.
“Barry has done an outstanding job for Greater Wellington over the last two years, and proved his worth in a short space
of time. The fact that he’s moving to a senior job at Fonterra shows just what an outstanding executive he is, and we
wish him all the best in this new challenge.”
Barry Harris said that working with the region’s politicians to bring the negotiations over the upgrade of the region’s
rail system to a positive conclusion was among his most satisfying jobs at Greater Wellington.
“Negotiating the rail contract and the funding package has been an extremely challenging task, but ultimately the region
is going to benefit from these arrangements for the next 20, 30, 40 years.”
“Greater Wellington, and local government throughout the country, makes a huge contribution to the quality of life of
every New Zealander. I’ve spent over 20 years working in local government – it’s a complex and challenging environment –
and now I’m looking forward to bringing the skills I’ve learned to Fonterra.”
Barry Harris will finish with Greater Wellington on 15th June.
ENDS