29 August 2016
Change of leadership at NZ Post
The Board of the New Zealand Post Group has announced that Chief Executive Brian Roche will leave the business early
next year.
Board Chairman, Sir Michael Cullen, says Mr Roche indicated his intentions some time ago to the Board and had now
resigned, effective April 2017.
“Brian Roche has led the New Zealand Post Group superbly through a period of great challenges and positioned the company
well for the future,” says Sir Michael.
Brian Roche joined the New Zealand Post Group as Chief Executive in January 2010. After close to seven years as CEO, Mr
Roche says it is time for someone new to take up the role, and that he will be retiring from full time executive
positions to pursue other business interests.
As Chief Executive, he has overseen major achievements within the Group including the introduction of alternate day mail
delivery, the integration of its courier and postal businesses and growth in Kiwibank.
Investments have been made in the future of the business including optimisation and modernisation of its parcel and mail
processing operations, the introduction of new and innovative electric delivery vehicles, and in Kiwibank, the purchase
of GMI and development of a new core banking system. At the same time, costs have been lowered across the Group and the
business resized to recognise the reality of the decline in letters and the growth in parcel volumes and financial
services. A programme of divestment of assets has also allowed the Group to focus on its core businesses.
Most recently, Mr Roche was instrumental in developing the proposed new ownership arrangements for Kiwibank, which are
expected to see third party capital introduced.
“I will leave the business satisfied that change programmes have been put in place to allow the New Zealand Post Group
to become a stronger commercial entity,” says Brian Roche. “There is a lot more to be done, but the foundations and
staff spirit are there to meet the challenges and opportunities ahead.”
Mr Roche’s departure date of April 2017 provides time to search for a new CEO for the New Zealand Post Group.