Former Contact Energy chief executive David Hunt has been appointed as a new independent director for DairyNZ.
DairyNZ chair Jim van der Poel said Hunt’s strong experience in strategy development and execution will help bring DairyNZ’s new strategic direction to life.
“In seeking the right director, we looked for someone who had proven themselves to be disciplined in delivery across a range of sectors, and an excellent people leader.
“David has held several governance roles, including most recently as deputy chair of ACC, and as a director of Christchurch City Holdings. I have no doubt he will contribute significantly to our ongoing work to pursue governance best practice and board depth.”
Van der Poel said Hunt’s financial acumen across investment strategy, as well as audit and risk management, are important as DairyNZ focuses on ensuring the levy is the best investment of every dairy farmer.
“This is an important time for our board and the talent we are attracting highlights the importance of our new strategic direction.”
Hunt was recently appointed an independent member of the government’s Fast Track Advisory Group.
He has held a range of executive roles in the energy and infrastructure sectors in New Zealand and Australia. These include as chief executive of Contact Energy from 2005-2006, and executive general manager of Origin Energy (Australia) from 2004-2005.
Between 2006 and April 2024 he was a consulting director at Concept Consulting Group, a firm providing specialist advisory services on energy, decarbonisation and utility issues.
He has also worked in managerial and analyst positions at the NZ Treasury. He holds degrees in economics and statistics from Massey University.
DairyNZ has a governing board of eight members. Five are farmer-elected and three are independent, professional directors.
Hunt has been appointed by the DairyNZ Board and levy payers will be asked to vote to ratify the three-year term during the annual elections later this year.
