Executive Team

JAMES BUTCHER - CHIEF COMMERCIAL OFFICER

James serves as Chief Commercial Officer since February 2024, following three years as Head of Digital Audio. He leads NZME's commercial strategy, overseeing nationwide advertising solutions for agency and direct customers, across commercial integration, sponsorship and creative strategy as well as responsibility for partnerships and B2B marketing.

With over 20 years of senior leadership experience across media sales and agency sectors in New Zealand, the UK, and Australia, James brings proven expertise in digital transformation. At NZME, he transformed our terrestrial radio business into a digital-first audio powerhouse, while his industry leadership earned him the IAB 'Service to The Industry' Award in 2020.

Renata Hayward - Chief Commercial Officer - Direct

Renata serves as Chief Commercial Officer – Direct since May 2025. Previous to this Renata was the Regional Head – Northern Commercial.

Renata is responsible for developing and implementing the commercial strategy across all NZME’s direct markets, growing market share and delivering revenue targets.

With her extensive experience in the New Zealand media landscape, Renata brings a wealth of knowledge to our commercial direct team and is well known for her expertise in building high performing teams.

Greg Hornblow - Chief of OneRoof

Greg serves as Chief of OneRoof since January 2023, bringing over 30 years of commercial experience working alongside real estate professionals, and in advertising and marketing, including previous roles at NZME. His extensive industry expertise and deep understanding of the real estate sector have been instrumental in driving OneRoof's growth and innovation.

Greg's collaborative leadership approach and passion for the industry continue to create enhanced value for our agent partners, while strengthening OneRoof's position as a leading property platform in New Zealand's dynamic real estate market.

Murray Kirkness - Chief Content Officer - Publishing

Murray has been Chief Content Officer (Publishing) since June 2023, a role encompassing the NZME Editor-in-Chief position.

Murray leads NZME’s editorial team of about 270 people nationwide to deliver high-quality, trusted news and content across multiple channels. Murray’s role includes growing the company’s various digital subscription platforms such as Herald Premium and BusinessDesk, and responsibilities across radio news and print publications including the NZ Herald and NZME’s regional newspapers.

Murray has about 40 years' experience in newsrooms across New Zealand and Australia.

Carolyn Luey - Chief Digital and Publishing Officer

Carolyn serves as our Chief Digital and Publishing Officer since August 2021, returning to NZME after previously serving as Chief Operating Officer until December 2016. Following her initial tenure, she held senior transformational roles at MYOB and served as Chief Consumer Officer at Vodafone.

With extensive experience as a strategic business leader across New Zealand's telecommunications, technology and media sectors, Carolyn brings deep expertise in digital transformation and audience engagement. Carolyn brings a wealth of knowledge and understanding of how best NZME can grow digital audiences, subscriptions and revenues

David Mackrell - Chief Financial Officer

David serves as NZME's Chief Financial Officer since March 2019, leading our Finance, Technology, Legal and Strategy functions. He joined us from Heartland Bank where he served as Chief Financial Officer.

David began his career at Ernst & Young as an Auditor before joining Air New Zealand in 1992. His 25-year tenure there encompassed numerous senior financial and commercial roles, culminating as Deputy Chief Financial Officer.

In September 2024, David was named CFO of the Year at the Brightstar CFO of the Year awards and was a finalist in the CFO category for the Deloitte Top 200 awards.

Katie Macdiarmid - Chief Information Officer 

Katie has been our Chief Information Officer since September 2024. Prior to this she held the role of GM Digital Products and GM Digital Business Operations leading the design, delivery, and operating model evolution for NZME’s digital product experiences.

Katie has more than 25 years of experience in technology and leadership roles across multiple industries including media and telecommunications in the United Kingdom and New Zealand.

Katie is responsible for leading the digital growth of NZME, through deep audience engagement and reader monetisation, NZME’s end-to-end technology ecosystem and the adoption of AI across the enterprise to maximise NZME’s competitive advantage.

Greg McCrea - Chief Commercial Officer - Agency

Greg serves as Chief Commercial Officer – Agency since May 2025. Previous to this Greg held the role of Commercial Director - Agency and Strategic Accounts.

Greg is responsible for all agency revenue and national strategic accounts, as well as overseeing trading and investment across those portfolios. 

Greg has many years of senior sales experience, including nine years at News Corp Australia in Sydney. 

Katie Mills - Chief Marketing Officer

Katie leads NZME's Marketing, Creative and Communications functions since joining our Executive Team in December 2018. She previously served as Group Marketing Director at Aspire2 Group Limited and General Manager (Global) Marketing & Communications at Opus International Consultants.

Katie brings more than 20 years of media-specific experience to her role, including 15 years at MediaWorks in senior leadership positions. As Head of Marketing, she successfully developed and delivered marketing and brand strategies across radio, digital, event and television ventures.

Katie was named a finalist for Marketer of the Year at the 2024 NZ Marketing Awards.

Chris Wallace - Chief People Officer 

Chris Wallace serves as our Chief People Officer, joining in April 2024.

Chris brings extensive HR, strategy and operations experience from roles across New Zealand and internationally, including Air New Zealand, Westpac, Samsung Electronics and Bank of China. He specialises in leading dynamic organisations with a people focus on diversity, development and engagement.

As Chief People Officer, Chris leads our Culture and Performance team, overseeing HR, wellness, health and safety, property and facilities, recruitment, employer brand, and learning and development initiatives

Matt Wilson - Chief Operations Officer 

Matt has been our Chief Operations Officer since December 2016.

Matt is responsible for NZME’s Print business from strategy to operational functions including newspaper content curation, page production, printing, distribution, and subscriptions.

Prior to that, Matt’s role was GM Print Operations for NZME. His passion for media has resulted in over three decades of experience working across NZME’s newspaper brands, including finance roles in print, commercial, content and corporate through to leading the Newspaper Sales, Print and NZ Herald product functions.

Matt has a strong passion for the industry and serves on Print NZ and NPA boards.

Matt’s focus on operating performance has driven a strong passion for NZME people, their engagement and the culture fostered in the company.

JASON WINSTANLEY - CHIEF AUDIO OFFICER

Jason serves as Chief Audio Officer since 2021, building on nearly 20 years of radio leadership within NZME. With one of New Zealand's most comprehensive radio leadership backgrounds, he has successfully led multiple music brands, including five years as Content Director of The Hits before heading Newstalk ZB, where he drove record audience growth and commercial success.

As Chief Audio Officer, Jason leads NZME's radio and digital audio strategy, focusing on the iHeartRadio streaming platform and NZME Podcast Network. Under his leadership, NZME has emerged as New Zealand's leader in local digital audio content and commercial opportunities, while his empowering leadership style drives innovation across our audio platforms.