Export NZ
Our People
Meet the ExportNZ Team
Our team is our greatest asset. Every member of our team has the right knowledge, skills and motivation to achieve quality, efficient and professional outcomes for our exporter members.
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.
Diane Petterd
Executive Assistant – ExportNZ | BusinessNZ – Wellington
Diane has joined BusinessNZ as part of the Support Hub Team.
Diane is an Executive Assistant and will be providing support to Andrea Tonner Operations Director; Josh Tan Executive Director, ExportNZ; and Catherine Beard Director, Advocacy with back up support to Katherine Rich, Chief Executive.
Diane will also help by providing support for the Policy team, assist with the day-to-day office needs and helping the team with events.
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.
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.
Simon Devoy
Head of Membership & Export | EMA
Simon is the Head of Membership & Export at the EMA, where he leads the organisation’s efforts to engage, retain, and grow its diverse membership base while supporting the success of New Zealand exporters. His role combines strategic leadership of the EMA’s membership strategy with oversight of ExportNZ’s regional activities, ensuring businesses have the tools, connections, and advocacy needed to thrive in global markets.
With over 20 years’ experience leading commercial growth, organisational transformation, and high-performing teams, Simon specialise in driving revenue growth, building strategic partnerships, and delivering large-scale change initiatives. His background spans sales, commercial operations, banking, sport, governance and human resources, giving him a broad perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand businesses today.
Based in Auckland, Simon works closely with the ExportNZ national team and regional advisory boards to champion the interests of exporters and strengthen the wider business community across the upper North Island.
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.
Cherie Garland
Member Partner – Waikato / BOP and Export Lead Rotorua / Taupo | EMA
As the Member Partner for EMA across Waikato, Rotorua, and Taupō, I work closely with businesses to provide practical support and connections. I bring over 20 years of experience in sales and management across diverse sectors including manufacturing, exporting, and also small business ownership. This broad background gives me a well-rounded understanding of the challenges and opportunities businesses face.
I’m especially passionate about supporting the export community in Rotorua and Taupō and enjoy building strong, long-term relationships and delivering excellent service.
Dimity McNamee
Member Partner and Export Lead, BOP | EMA
Before joining the EMA as Member Partner & Export Lead BOP, Dimity built a strong foundation in business development and communications through roles in media and regional customised support to business growth. Skilled in both relationship management and creative strategy, as media account manager she coordinated campaign planning, messaging, and execution—often collaborating with creative teams, analysts, and media planners to ensure every element delivered impact. Monitoring performance, optimising campaigns in real time, and providing data-driven recommendations that helped clients maximise return on investment. Across digital, print & radio.
Following this Dimity moved to the Tauranga Business Chamber, working under the Regional Business Partner (RBP) network as a growth advisor. There, she supported local SMEs with capability building, funding pathways, and growth planning—helping businesses identify opportunities, overcome barriers, and chart sustainable paths forward.
“I work closely with exporters to understand their challenges, connect them with the right expertise, and ensure they have the tools they need to succeed offshore. I’m genuinely excited to be working alongside the Advisory ExportNZ BOP Board, whose insight and leadership play a vital role in shaping the success and direction of our export community. Their guidance energises my work, and I’m proud to contribute to the collective effort of strengthening New Zealand’s global footprint.”
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.
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.
Meet the Leadership Team
ExportNZ’s National Board Members are experienced and successful exporters and trade experts. Our leadership consists of people who are all keen to give back to the export sector and support other businesses on their export journey.
David Boyd
Chairman
David is an experienced executive and company director with a background in specialised manufacturing, medical devices, and consumer products, with a focus on international markets. He has particular expertise in international branding targeting wider European markets.
David is a director of a number of New Zealand-based companies, and a past director of Orthopaedic Synergy Inc, a United States-based orthopaedic company which has two subsidiaries -Christchurch-based Enztec Ltd and Omni Life Science Inc of Raynham, Massachusetts, USA. He is also the founding shareholder of Foot Science International, the producers of Formthotics, and is still actively involved as a director as well as managing their R&D program.David has practical experience in developing specialised manufacturing businesses with a view to international markets. He has a particular interest in developing business capabilities that allow and encourage long-term growth.
Based in Canterbury, David has been involved since its inception with the CDC Hi Growth programme and numerous community organisations. David is on the national board of Export NZ.
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.
Justine Arroll
Board Member
Justine is the General Manager of Trade Strategy at Fonterra, responsible for driving Fonterra’s engagement and advocacy on strategic global trade issues.
A former New Zealand diplomat, Justine held a range of trade policy roles in the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade prior to joining Fonterra. Most recently, this included a posting to Washington DC where she was responsible for advocacy in relation to a range of bilateral and multilateral trade issues. Justine has also previously served in the New Zealand High Commission in London, and as an advisor to the Minister of Trade.
A graduate of the University of Auckland in Arts and Law, Justine has been admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor to the High Court of New Zealand, and has completed studies in international law at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark and Georgetown University in Washington DC.
Kristy Grant
Board Member
With an international export trade development and marketing background, Kristy is a Chartered Member of the Institute of Logistics and Transport and has held several executive management positions – including running an export manufacturing and marketing company, so understands the unique advantage that the NZ story has to offer to the world.
As a fervent Wellingtonian and a very proud New Zealander, Kristy is passionate about supporting and developing NZ business, in particular throughout the creative sector and has established the Miramar Creative Centre in partnership with Victoria University.
Michael Whitehead
Board Member
Michael co-founded and ran WhereScape Software, a global software business with operations in New Zealand, USA, UK, Europe and Asia. WhereScape was the supreme winner at the 2016 New Zealand International Business Awards, the NZTE Services Exporter of the Year winner at the 2017 Air New Zealand Cargo ExportNZ Awards for Auckland and Waikato regions and also the winner of Excellence in International Trade at the Westpac Auckland Business Best of the Best Awards in 2016. He now runs Tap In Ventures, a business advisory for companies wanting to grow and scale.
He was appointed to the New Zealand Government’s Trade for All Advisory Board, is a Prime Minister’s Business Scholarship winner, a Category Winner at the EY New Zealand Entrepreneur of the Year Awards and a graduate of Auckland University.
Dan Sullivan
Board Member
Dan Sullivan is General Manager of Regulatory Affairs at Douglas Pharmaceuticals, New Zealand’s largest pharmaceutical manufacturer and exporter. Dan leads Douglas’s regulatory operations to ensure pharmaceutical products manufactured here in New Zealand can be exported to over 60 countries across the globe.
Studying pharmacy at University of Nottingham, Dan has practiced as a pharmacist in both the UK and NZ. He has worked in the pharmaceutical industry for over 30 years, covering research and development, manufacturing and since 2003, global product registration.
Ché Bliss
Board Member
CChé Bliss – Independent Director Principal Consultant & Founder, Bliss & Co Limited.
Ché brings deep experience in export growth, digital transformation, and embedded commercial leadership to the ExportNZ Advisory Board.
Having previously held senior roles at NZTE, Oritain Global, and a specialist digital agency serving Fortune 500 clients, Ché now leads Bliss & Co Limited – a boutique consultancy designed to close the “hollow middle” for ambitious regional exporters.
Bliss & Co delivers executable strategy and fractional C-suite leadership that both creates the valuation roadmap and executes the digital, AI, and commercial systems needed for sustainable scale, successful succession, or high-value exit. Current focus areas include co-funded RBP capability programmes in Otago, VC operating-partner alignments, and practical AI adoption for high-growth tech and digitally-enabled SMEs – directly supporting ExportNZ’s 2025–2026 priorities around regional capability building, productivity, and the execution gap that sits between market access and long-term export success.
Yannis Naumann
Board Member
Yannis Naumann is Global Communications Manager at Zespri International, the world’s leading marketer of kiwifruit. He is responsible for Zespri’s external communications programme, ensuring Zespri enhances its reputation amongst growers and external stakeholders around the world.
A former parliamentary advisor, Yannis has provided strategic communications and stakeholder engagement advice to a number of domestic and global organisations, including Pfizer, IAG, Rio Tinto and Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, helping advance their commercial aspirations within New Zealand’s political landscape.
Yannis holds a Bachelor of Arts (1st Class Hons) in Political Science and History and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Business (Distinction).
Felicity Roxburgh
Board Member
Felicity Roxburgh is the Executive Director of the New Zealand International Business Forum (NZIBF), where she leads the Forum’s engagement on key trade and economic policy issues and represents the interests of internationally focused businesses in dialogue with government and international partners.
Felicity brings nearly two decades of experience in international trade, foreign policy, and regional engagement, with a strong focus on geopolitics and the Indo-Pacific. She most recently served as New Zealand’s Consul-General in New Caledonia and has held a broad range of roles at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, with postings in Hong Kong, New York, and the Pacific.
Earlier in her career, Felicity served as Director, Business at the Asia New Zealand Foundation, where she led initiatives to strengthen New Zealand’s business and people-to-people links across Asia. She has a master’s in communication studies and a journalism degree.