HPNZ Ceo To Take Role At Vodafone Australia

HPNZ CHIEF EXECUTIVE TO TAKE ROLE AT VODAFONE AUSTRALIA

NEW ZEALAND, 20 January 2004 - Russell Hewitt, Managing Director of HP New Zealand, today announced his resignation. He is moving to Sydney to take up a Senior Executive role in Vodafone Australia.

Mr Hewitt joined Compaq as Managing Director in December 1999. He was appointed to lead HP New Zealand following the merger with Compaq on 7 May 2003. Prior to that he was Chief Executive of Computerland New Zealand after holding various management positions in IBM.

"I have enjoyed 25 rewarding and successful years in the New Zealand IT industry but have decided the time was right for a new challenge," Mr Hewitt said.

"I am looking forward to taking up the opportunity with Vodafone. As a partner and customer I've had the opportunity to experience the company first hand over a number of years, and I am excited by what the future holds."

Seeing the HP merger through and achieving a successful first full financial year has been a personal milestone, Mr Hewitt said, and he was satisfied he was leaving the company in a strong position and well placed to move forward in 2004.

Simon Tong will act as the interim Managing Director until a successor to Mr Hewitt is announced. Mr Tong currently heads the Services organisation within HP New Zealand. Mr Hewitt will transition from his current role and move to Australia at the end of February.

About HP

HP is a technology solutions provider to consumers, businesses and institutions globally. The company's offerings span IT infrastructure, personal computing and access devices, global services and imaging and printing. For the fiscal year ending on Oct. 31, 2003, HP revenue totaled $73.1 billion. More information about HP is available at www.hp.com.

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