Wedoany.com Report on Feb 9th, Port of Tauranga has announced that former Road Transport Forum CEO Ken Shirley will join its board, replacing the long-serving Doug Leeder. This appointment is expected to take effect on April 1, with Shirley serving as a director representing Quayside Holdings. Quayside Holdings is the investment arm of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, currently holding over 54% of the shares in Port of Tauranga.

Ken Shirley has been a Bay of Plenty Regional Councillor since 2022, bringing extensive experience in public policy, industry advocacy, and governance. Port of Tauranga Chair Julia Hoare stated that Shirley's background spans both government and senior management levels.

"Ken brings decades of leadership experience in public policy, industry advocacy, and executive governance," Hoare said. Shirley has previously served in Parliament, holding positions as Minister of Fisheries and Associate Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Health, representing both the Labour Party and the ACT New Zealand party at different times.

Furthermore, Shirley has led several industry organizations, including the New Zealand Organic Agriculture Association, the New Zealand Pharmaceutical Association, the New Zealand Forest Owners Association, and the Road Transport Forum (now rebranded as Transporting New Zealand). During his time at the Road Transport Forum, he engaged in domestic and international exchanges on multimodal freight and logistics and maintained connections with port businesses.

Shirley currently serves as Chair of the Omokoroa Golf Club and has previously been a director of the GNS Science Institute and a member of the Human Rights Review Tribunal. Hoare also paid tribute to the outgoing director, Doug Leeder, who has served on the Port of Tauranga board for a decade.

"Doug has made significant contributions to the board with his extensive regional networks, expertise in the primary industries, and governance experience," Hoare said. "We thank him for his long service to the port and the regional council, having served as Chair of the Regional Council from 2016 until his electoral retirement in 2025."

Leeder will officially retire on April 1, at which time Ken Shirley will assume his position on the Port of Tauranga board.