John is a highly accomplished executive with over 40 years’ experience in the technology and telecommunications sectors. As Chief Executive at Tuatahi First Fibre he has been instrumental in driving the expansion of fibre optic networks in New Zealand, enabling faster and more reliable internet access for businesses and organisations across the country.

With his extensive experience in the technology and telecommunications sectors, John has developed a deep understanding of the industry landscape. His expertise spans a wide range of areas, including network infrastructure, digital transformation, emerging technologies and telecommunications regulations.

John served as the founding Chief Executive of the Crown-owned Network For Learning (N4L) for five years. N4L is a government initiative aimed at connecting New Zealand schools to fast and reliable internet services, enabling enhanced digital learning opportunities for students and educators. Under his leadership, N4L became a key infrastructure provider for educational institutions, ensuring equitable access to technology and fostering transformative educational experiences.

John is committed to leveraging technology for societal advancement and digital connectivity. With a passion for technology, and a dedication to community welfare, John continues to shape and advance the industry, leaving a lasting impact on telecommunications, education, and digital infrastructure in New Zealand.

Richard oversees Tuatahi First Fibre’s key fulfilment operations, primarily the customer service delivery experience, provisioning, product development, industry and stakeholder relationships, and customer relationship, sales and marketing strategy.

Prior to being appointed COO, Richard was Tuatahi First Fibre’s Chief Marketing Officer, where he led projects to enhance the customer experience, drive year-on-year connections and revenue growth, and strengthen the company’s external profile and reputation.

A senior manager with over 20 years experience and insights across leading Australasian and European telecommunications and infrastructure with Vector, National Grid and Crown Castle, Richard has previously managed major commercial build programmes, established and run PMOs and driven significant acquisition, governance, sales and marketing outcomes.

As Tuatahi First Fibre’s Chief Network Officer, Lyndon is responsible for ensuring the company’s efficient and safe delivery of Design and Build services to meet growing customer demands.  

Lyndon also leads the Network Strategy and Architecture team that delivers Network Planning, Asset Management and Standards, and Network Strategy. The Operations team encompassing Network Operations, Service Management, Faults and Maintenance completes Lyndon’s team.  

Prior to his role as Chief Network Officer, Lyndon was the General Manager of Build, managing the deployment of the UFB1 and UFB2/+ communal network builds. He moved to the telecommunications industry in 2011 after working for ANZ and Craigs Investment Partners in various infrastructure project and programme management roles.

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Hiramai joined Tuatahi First Fibre in August 2012 to establish the company’s internal legal, governance, compliance and regulatory functions. Hiramai’s role is to ensure Tuatahi operates within its complex regulatory framework to achieve its immediate and long term strategic success. His team oversees the company’s legal, regulatory, compliance and governance functions and provides advice across all of the company’s business units. Hiramai has represented the company before the Commerce Commission, Government stakeholders, Crown Infrastructure Partners, MBIE and the NZ Telecommunications Forum. Hiramai has extensive experience in commercial and corporate law, having worked in private practice and in-house roles in New Zealand and Dubai. He is also served as the Vice President of ILANZ.

Alister is responsible for implementing Tuatahi First Fibre’s digital transformation, maintaining and developing IT systems and running our PMO. He is passionate about using technology to assist in achieving our strategic objectives.

Alister brings deep industry experience in the Telecommunications sector having held senior roles with Chorus, Vodafone New Zealand, Spark NZ, Ericsson and Motorola. He has broad experience across strategy planning, portfolio management, architecture, delivery and procurement.

Joel leads the Tuatahi First Fibre finance and accounting function and is responsible for financial control, managing financial forecasting and budgeting, advising on strategic business and financial planning and Tuatahi First Fibre’s business intelligence and reporting function.

Joel was appointed CFO in September 2019. Prior to this, he held the role of Group Manager, Financial Accounting and Reporting for the WEL Group.

Joel previously held the roles of Head of Consumer Performance at Spark, Head of Product Finance at ASB Bank, a number of roles within the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, as well as a role in Corporate Finance at PwC.

Nick leads Tuatahi’s People, Culture, Health & Safety, Risk and Sustainability teams. He is responsible for the development and delivery of strategy and initiatives that ensure Tuatahi has an engaged workplace culture, diverse and talented people, manages risk appropriately and delivers on its commitment to safe and sustainable business operations and practices.

Nick has over 25 years’ experience in people and culture roles in local government, dairy, science, telecommunications, media and banking sectors.

His leadership successes include implementation of significant culture change and transformation programmes. Nick was appointed in August 2022 and is qualified with a Master of Management Studies from the University of Waikato.

Pip has worked as a non-executive director for the last 16 years. Industry experience includes electricity and gas transmission, funds management, healthcare and other industries. At present including Tuatahi First Fibre,  she is also a director of Dangerous Goods Compliance and RegCo and an Advisor on the NZTE Investor Plus Panel.

Qualifications include B Hort Sci from Lincoln College and a CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst), from the CFA Society USA.

Gavin is the Head of Transactions, Australia and New Zealand at Igneo Infrastructure Partners. Based in the Sydney, Gavin has been with Igneo since 2013.

Gavin is also a member of the Global Diversified Infrastructure Fund (GDIF) Investment Committee and represents GDIF on the boards of portfolio investments, including New Zealand’s Waste Management New Zealand, Tuatahi First Fibre and Clarus (formerly First Gas).

Prior to joining the team, Gavin held a number of senior roles at Macquarie Group over a 17-year period and also spent five years with Arthur Andersen & Co in Sydney.

Nagaja joined the Tuatahi First Fibre board in October 2020.

Nagaja has extensive global executive and leadership experience, with a focus on digital product innovation and software technology at scale. She has held senior roles at Amazon and Expedia, leading business growth through digital information technology solutions and customer experience for eCommerce retail, travel, and financial services products. Nagaja studied Chemical Engineering at IIT Bombay before moving to the US for a consulting role with Deloitte in 1998, subsequently moving to NZ in 2015. She completed her MBA from the University of Washington in 2003 and a Masters in Sustainable Development Goals at Massey University in 2023.

Nagaja currently serves on the boards of Meridian Energy, Southern Cross, FoodStuffs North Island, New Zealand Post, and the Cawthron Institute. She has previously been a director at MediaWorks and Groov, and was a Future Director at Spark. She is also a Chartered Member of the NZ Institute of Directors.

Graham is a non-executive director of Tuatahi First Fibre and serves as chair of the Audit and Risk Committee. 

He is also currently a non-executive director of Meridian Energy and of the Australian company AGL Energy.  Prior to becoming a non-executive director, Graham’s executive career included over 30 years in the international energy industry with roles in the UK, South America, Asia and New Zealand.

He has a Master of Commerce from the University of Otago and a Masters in Finance from the London Business School. He is a Chartered Member of the NZ Institute of Directors. 

Jay Chong joined Igneo Infrastructure Partners in 2010 and is currently a director in the team based in Sydney.

Jay is focused on Igneo’s origination and deal execution activities within Australasia, in addition to asset management responsibilities in the region. His transactions experience spans across the digital infrastructure, utilities, renewables, waste management and transport sectors. Prior to joining the team, Jay worked for two years in the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. During this time, he gained experience in the bank’s strategic development and investment decision teams, where he was responsible for evaluating M&A and organic growth opportunities.

Jay holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Arts from the University of New South Wales. He is a CFA® charterholder and a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.