Australasia bus and multi-modal mass transit operator Kinetic has appointed Port of Auckland senior executive Tessa Auelua to lead its New Zealand business from November.
Auelua will join the public transport operator as chief executive following what Kinetic describes as an extensive global search.
She is currently Port of Auckland containers and engineering general manager, with responsibility for the organisation’s largest operational team, representing nearly two-thirds of its workforce.
Kinetic says she has led the team through a significant business and safety culture transformation.
Born and raised in Wellington, Auelua has worked across aviation, transport and supply chains, including senior leadership roles at Air New Zealand.
Kinetic Group chief executive Michael Sewards says her operational experience and leadership approach made her the standout candidate.
“We looked around the world for the right person to lead our New Zealand business, which makes it even more meaningful to have found the right person so close to home,” Sewards says.
“Tessa brings an impressive track record leading complex operations and helping organisations through significant periods of change, but what really stood out to us was how she leads.”
Auelua says safety and engagement with Kinetic’s workforce will be immediate priorities.
“I’ve spent my career in operations where safety is the thing that matters most, and that’s where I’ll start here,” she says.
“Getting every person home safely at the end of their shift is the foundation everything else is built on, and it’s never finished work.”
She plans to visit Kinetic’s depots and meet drivers, employees, customers and transport partners as she becomes familiar with the operation.
“My first priority will be to listen and learn,” Auelua says.
“I want to get out to our depots, spend time with our drivers and teams, and meet our customers and partners to understand what’s working and where we can do more.”
Auelua succeeds Calum Haslop, who will step down as managing director New Zealand in October after four years leading the operation.
Haslop previously served as chief executive of Go Bus New Zealand and will remain with Kinetic as a strategic adviser to its board.
Sewards says Haslop led the business through a period of significant growth.
“I want to thank him for everything he has contributed, and I’m pleased he will remain connected to Kinetic in an advisory capacity,” he says.
Kinetic employs more than 4000 people across its New Zealand urban and regional operations.
It operates more than 390 electric buses from 12 electrified depots and provides services for local councils.
The company is also the Ministry of Education’s largest school transport provider and delivers charter and tourism services nationwide.
