Changes for NZTA board

Chris Bishop, Minister of Transport, says the appointment of three new members to the NZTA board and the reappointment of an existing member ensures it has the necessary expertise to deliver for New Zealanders.

David Smol has been reappointed for a two-year term ending on July 31, 2028, while Lana Stockman, Steve Haszard and Murdo Beattie are on three-year terms until July 26, 2029.

Bishop announced the changes on July 24 and outlined some of the attributes each member will bring to the board.

“David Smol’s wide-ranging regulatory, governance and public sector experience will continue to provide valuable oversight to the NZTA board,” he explains.

“Lana Stockman brings a diverse professional background across finance, engineering, psychology and regulation.

“Her understanding of commercial and investment trade-offs for regulators and operators in New Zealand and Australia will strengthen the board’s capability.

“Steve Haszard is a commercially astute board member and executive leader with strong regulatory experience. His experience leading organisations through change, including as chief executive of WorkSafe and managing partner of Meredith Connell, will be valuable to the board.

“Murdo Beattie brings deep commercial and investment management experience, including in complex infrastructure and transport-related transactions.

“His leadership on significant transactions, including the recapitalisation of Air New Zealand and the Crown re-acquisition of KiwiRail, will add strong commercial expertise to NZTA’s governance.”

Bishop adds the appointments reflect the Government’s commitment to ensuring NZTA has the “governance, regulatory and commercial expertise needed to deliver for New Zealanders”.

He has also acknowledged Catherine Taylor, who is retiring after five-and-a-half years of service to NZTA. 

“She has made substantial contributions to the board’s governance and oversight of NZTA. 

“Catherine’s leadership as chair of the regulatory subcommittee has been especially valuable in supporting the board’s regulatory responsibilities.

“I also thank Pat Dougherty and Mike Rudge for the subject matter expertise and valuable contribution they have brought to the board.”

Member bios

David Smol

David Smol is an experienced leader and director with significant regulatory and public sector knowledge. 

He currently holds chair roles with Wellington UniVentures, GNS Science, the Ministry of Social Development’s risk and assurance committee, and the Department of Internal Affairs external advisory committee.

He also holds director roles with the Co-operative Bank, Contact Energy, Victoria University of Wellington Council, the Ministry of Housing and the Defence Capability Board.

Lana Stockman

Lana Stockman has a diverse professional background with qualifications in finance, engineering and psychology, and has held regulatory roles throughout her career. 

She has a strong understanding of commercial and investment trade-offs for regulators and commercial operators, at management and governance levels in New Zealand and Australia. 

Her current roles include the Monash University Energy Market Institute Advisory Council, the Ethics Committee on Assisted Reproductive Technology, and deputy chair of the Trinity Schools Trust Board.

Steve Haszard

Steve Haszard is a commercially astute board member and executive leader, skilled in driving transformational change in business and culture. 

He brings strong regulatory experience through his roles with Meredith Connell, where he developed and managed the firm’s regulatory and compliance advisory business. 

He was deputy chair of the Civil Aviation Authority and chief executive of WorkSafe. His current roles include the Audit and Risk Committee at Debt Managers, chair of the Governance Assurance Board at Talley’s Group Ltd, independent director of Stellar Projects, and independent director of Meredith Connell.

Murdo Beattie

Murdo Beattie has extensive experience in commercial and investment management, including complex contracting arrangements through his time at Cameron Partners. 

He has led significant arrangements including the recapitalisation of Air New Zealand, the Crown re-acquisition of KiwiRail, the separation of Spark and Chorus, Australian Infrastructure Fund’s acquisition of North Island gas transmission and distribution assets, the sale of Paymark, and Contact Energy’s acquisition of Mānawa Energy. 

His previous roles include senior adviser and managing partner/director at Cameron Partners, head of business development at Telecom NZ, fund manager at Fay Richwhite and Co. and Tower Insurance, adviser to the Minister of Finance, and policy analyst at the New Zealand Treasury.