Our People

Katherine Rich

Chief Executive

Katherine Rich is the Chief Executive of BusinessNZ, the peak advocacy organisation for New Zealand business, bringing a wealth of experience from her career in both politics and industry. She served as a Member of the New Zealand Parliament from 1999 to 2008.

Prior to joining BusinessNZ, Katherine was the Chief Executive of the New Zealand Food and Grocery Council from 2009 to 2023, advocating for the interests of grocery manufacturers and suppliers as well as advocating for trade liberalisation as a member for the APEC Business Council for five years. Katherine holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Otago. Her early career included roles in both the public and private sectors.

Katherine continues to be a prominent voice in New Zealand’s business and political spheres and her leadership at BusinessNZ focuses on fostering a thriving business environment and advocating for policies that support economic growth and sustainability.

Joshua Tan

Executive Director – ExportNZ | BusinessNZ – Wellington

Josh is the Executive Director for ExportNZ and works closely with the ExportNZ National Advisory Board to ensure the export community is well represented in Wellington.

Before joining BusinessNZ, Josh was the Senior Policy and International Relations Advisor for the Wellington Chamber of Commerce and Business Central. He was also previously the Executive Secretary for the New Zealand Taiwan Business Council.

Josh holds a Bachelor of Arts (International Relations, Asian Studies) and a Bachelor of Commerce (International Business) from Victoria University of Wellington, having graduated in 2017.

Sheena McKechnie

Personal Assistant | Team Administrator| ExportNZ | BusinessNZ – Wellington

With a background in Support Work and Service Advisory roles, Sheena brings her strong organisational and interpersonal skills to the Support Hub Team at BusinessNZ, under the management of Andrea Tonner, Operations Director. In her role as Team Administrator, Database Administrator and Personal Assistant to Catherine Beard, Director of Advocacy, Sheena is responsible for travel arrangements, calendar and diary management, and providing support to the Policy Team. Additionally, she plays a key role in organising and assisting with BusinessNZ and related brand events.

Sheena serves as the Team Administrator for ExportNZ and ManufacturingNZ, providing support to their respective boards. In her database management role, she oversees the processing, implementation and storage of BusinessNZ’s data. This involves close collaboration with MCG, MCG Gold, and AIG, as well as the maintenance of the ExportNZ website.

Beyond her professional responsibilities, Sheena is passionate about Mental Health awareness in the workplace. She holds certifications as a Mental Health First Aider, First Aider and is a Stage 1 Health & Safety Representative.

Amanda Liddle

Regional Manager, Hawkes Bay and Wellington

Amanda has been involved with Hawke’s Bay exporters for the past 18 years and has a wide range of experience in helping businesses grow through strong local and national networks. Before joining ExportNZ in 2012 Amanda had 6 years with the Hawke’s Bay Economic Development Agency which included Callaghan Innovation and worked with various government organisations. Prior to this she worked for several years in corporate finance roles in the advertising and banking sectors in London.

Kelli Simpson

Member Partner BOP – Large / Corporate – Bay of Plenty

Kelli has worked across various sectors as a Senior Business Development Manager and Sales Staff Manager both here and in Australia and has been with ExportNZ now for 18mths forging solid relationships within the local Bay Of Plenty Export community.

Daniel Thomson

Business & International Trade Advisor | Business Canterbury

He has a great working knowledge of Freight, Logistics, Manufacturing, IP and generating sales both domestically offshore.

Based at Business Canterbury, Daniel is the ExportNZ Canterbury Executive and enjoys helping businesses to grow their Exports by leveraging his connections, experience and expertise.

In his spare time he loves to spend time with his family, run around with his dog Baxter and play a range of different sports.

Ruth Boyes

Area Manager – Auckland | EMA 

Over the past 20 years prior to joining the EMA Ruth has worked in various business sectors in senior sales roles building businesses, and as General Manager for a natural health brand manufacturing and exporting – and in the waste and recycling industry.

Ruth manages the membership team for the EMA and Export NZ in the Auckland region and has holds a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Business Studies from Nottingham Trent University in the UK.

Jo Mackie

Area Manager – Waikato / Bay of Plenty | EMA 

With 25 years experience in the Thoroughbred industry in marketing and operations management, I gained extensive knowledge and experience while importing and exporting of yearlings, broodmares, racehorses and stallions. This entailed working closely with MAF and adhering to rigorous quarantine protocols. During this time I travelled worldwide purchasing, selling and negotiating on behalf of other parties. 

Followed by 10 years as an award-winning Real Estate agent, being involved in literally hundreds of property sales, I became adept at interpreting contracts and negotiation, handling often difficult parties under pressure.

I then spent 3 years as Operations and Health and Safety manager for an Air Conditioning and Refrigeration company that worked in extreme risk environments like Huntly Power Station and WEL Networks. This required very high levels of H&S compliance to even be allowed onsite. 

While there I was approached about the role of Customer Relations/Gym Manager/Functions and Events Co-ordinator at the International Velodrome. A vibrant and very fast paced environment, the home of Cycling NZ and High Performance Sport NZ, I became heavily involved in the running of large events.

Based in Cambridge, I love my role at the EMA  where I am the Area Manager of the Membership team for the Waikato and BOP. I sit on the Export committee for the Waikato region and support the Export team in the BOP. 

John Mezger 

Principle Advisor – Dunedin / Otago | Business South 

As of March 2023, John has been the Director of Business Development & Sustainability for Business South.

John’s background enables him to exceed across a diverse range of roles. John has been with Business South since September 2021 where he was initially engaged as a Growth Advisor on the Tourism Communities fund and then transitioned to the ITPR. During this period, John also served on two boards including the Wanaka Business Chamber and as a result of persistent labour shortages; he also stepped in as the interim General Manager.

Prior to Business South, he practised as a commercial, employment and immigration lawyer and was actively engaged in providing legal and practical advice to boards, committees and managers and individual clients. In addition to practicing law, John’s professional background includes over 20 years of business experience throughout New Zealand including: a founding director of Snow Park, director and manager of The Wanaka big Air and World Heli-Challenge events; as well as agency sales and marketing experience with MTV Networks and MediaWorks. He holds an LLB and an undergraduate in BCom economics. 

James Bracewell  

Skills Partnership Manager – Dunedin / Otago | Business South|
Business Navigator – Manufacturing and Engineering & SOREC Academy

James Bracewell is the Skills Partnership Manager at the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) in Dunedin, New Zealand. He began his role in 2022 and has been instrumental in promoting engineering careers to young people. His work involves engaging with schools to highlight the opportunities within the engineering sector and developing pathways into the sector. James’s efforts have been crucial in addressing the skilled labour shortage in the region by fostering relationships with educational institutions and creating a pipeline of talent for the engineering industry.
Business South took on SOREC in late 2023. James’ responsibilities have recently grown under Business South to include Navigator – Manufacturing and Engineering. James’ role is to help, support and grow the capabilities of the sector across the region.

Jason Reeves   

Area Manager – Tai Tokerau / Northland | EMA 

Jason’s career had been built on supporting New Zealand business to internationalise.

Following his return from Japan to NZ, Jason joined Japan Airlines and then Fonterra with roles in the supply chain and sales division.

Jason then moved to New Zealand Trade and Enterprise where he held the positions of New Zealand Trade Commissioner to Japan based in Tokyo and International Coalitions Manager. Following his roles at New Zealand Trade and Enterprise Jason spent 5 years at the Bank of New Zealand leading the bank’s engagement with the export sector, a key growth focus for the organization. Jason is currently employed by the Employers and Manufacturers Association as their Area Manager based in Northland supporting its members and the regions businesses to grow and internationalise. Jason holds a BA an MBA and is passionate about supporting New Zealand business build the capability to execute its export strategy.