NEW Zealand’s Port Taranaki has appointed Jeff Kendrew as its new chair. The port also has two new directors.

Mr Kendrew is a former chair of Patrick Terminals and of Linx Cargo Care Group. He joined the Port Taranaki board in July 2022.

He said he was excited to take on the position at a port that is important to the region and wider New Zealand.

“Port Taranaki is the country’s premier energy port, and with the energy industry going through much change, it’s an interesting and important time for Port Taranaki,” Mr Kendrew said.

“The ports and shipping sectors are also shifting, with increased emphasis on the use of coastal shipping to move goods. As a board we are focused on enabling our port to move forward and grasp opportunities that ensure it remains profitable and sustainable in the long term.”

Mr Kendrew welcomed new directors Wendie Harvey and Steve Sanderson to the board.

Ms Harvey is the director of TAB New Zealand and chair of Hawkes Bay Airport. Mr Sanderson is the director of Top Energy and former Wellington International Airport chief executive.

They replace long-time directors Richard Krogh and David MacLeod, who retired this month and earlier this year, respectively.

“Wendie and Steve are very experienced and extremely well-respected, and will add to the depth and breadth of knowledge on the Port Taranaki board,” Mr Kendrew said.

“We look forward to Wendie and Steve helping lead the strategic direction of Port Taranaki in the years to come.”

Kendrew said Mr Krogh and Mr MacLeod had made a significant contribution to Port Taranaki and their extensive experience and knowledge of the port sector would be missed.

“Both Richard and David have been hugely influential in the success of Port Taranaki across the past two decades,” he said.

“They have helped steer Port Taranaki safely through changes in the strategic direction of the port in response to trade and market fluctuations, enabling Port Taranaki to continue to be a key economic asset for the region.

“Most recently, they have provided important leadership as the port has started a journey to understand how it can support offshore wind energy production as New Zealand works to decarbonise in response to climate change.

“We thank Richard and David for their much-valued expertise and commitment to Port Taranaki, and wish them well for the future.”