Two high-profile Kiwis resign

Prominent Kiwis Te Papa chief executive Rick Ellis and Duco Events chief executive Martin Snedden have resigned their respective posts.

Mr Snedden is throwing in the towel as Duco’s boss just a few days after heavyweight boxer Joseph Parker won the WBO world heavyweight championship belt on Saturday – the event was arranged by the company.

He made the announcement to staff on Tuesday.

Mr Snedden, who is a former Black Caps bowler, as well as former head of NZ Cricket, and chief executive of Rugby New Zealand 2011 Ltd, the company responsible for staging the extremely successful Rugby World Cup 2011, says after the victory, it was a good way to “bookend my two years at Duco.”

He has held the top job since 2014 and will be stepping down next Friday.

“When I started working with Duco directors David Higgins and Dean Lonergan in 2014, the objective was to move Joseph [Parker] from a boxing ranking outside the top 15, to a world championship title.”

He says he wanted to break into boxing promotion in Australia while also delivering an NRL Nines event which showcased the sport and Auckland city.

“I leave Duco next week knowing those objectives have been fully or substantially achieved.”

Meanwhile, former TVNZ and Telstra Media chief executive Rick Ellis, who has been chief executive of Te Papa for two years, will step down in June next year.

Mr Ellis, who had originally taken up the role for a three-year period, says the decision was to spend more time with his family.

Te Papa board chairman Evan Williams says Mr Ellis has achieved a lot during his time at Te Papa.

“The museum has seen record visitor numbers, its finances are healthy and it is delivering exhibitions and programmes that are touching the hearts and minds of New Zealanders.”

Paymark chief executive Mark Rushworth, who has been at the company for three years, has also announced he is to step down from the top job.

Paymark chairman Stephen Franks says has led the company through a time of considerable change over the past three years.

“He has recruited a talented executive team well equipped to lead the company’s development in the coming months and years.”

Until the appointment of a new chief executive for the company, Paymark general counsel Liam O’Reilly will be the Acting CEO.