Board of Directors

Six member board with three members appointed by Timaru District Holdings Limited and three members appointed by Port of Tauranga.

Timaru District Holdings Limited Appointees

Roger Gower

Roger Gower, Chairman

Roger is an experienced Director with a lengthy career in the transport and logistics sector.  He has a B. Com from Auckland University, an MBA from Massey University and an M Phil from Cambridge University.

Roger's executive career included senior management roles at Air New Zealand and Tranz Rail.

Roger is currently a Director and Chairman of PrimePort Timaru Limited, Apprenticeship Training Trust and NZ Food Innovation Auckland.  He has been an external Director in a wide range of organisations for more than 20 years.

Mark Rogers

Mark Rogers

Mark is a professional director and holds Chair and Director roles on a number of company Boards.  He is a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Directors (CFInstD) and a Member of RiskNZ.

Mark has experience in infrastructure, construction, transport and logistics, property development and maintenance, economic development and tourism.  He has expertise in strategy, finance and operations with specialist knowledge of change, risk and health and safety.

Mark has a BA (Hons) in Political Science and holds qualifications in Freelance Journalism and Quarry Management.

Amanda Johnston 

Amanda Johnston

Amanda is a passionate businessperson  with a breadth of business investment, management  and board  experience across a variety of sectors.  Amanda currently serves as Director at PrimePort Timaru, Trustee and Treasurer of Melanoma New Zealand, Waihi School Association committee member and a  Fellow of the Christ's College Board of Governors.  Amanda is currently managing the family dairy farm and associated interests near Temuka.

Amanda has held a number of investment management and corporate finance roles with start-up, high growth and established businesses including Marwyn Investment Management and Global Leisure Partners in London, and ABN Amro and PricewaterhouseCoopers in Sydney and Auckland.  Amanda's entrepreneurial achievements including founding a luxury tourism business.  Amanda has also consulted for organisations such as NZ Trade and Enterprise and The Icehouse.

Educated and Craighead Diocesan School and the University of Otago, she holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Post Graduate Diploma in Commerce, both in Finance.

Port of Tauranga Limited Appointees

Julia Hoare 

Julia Hoare

Julia joined Port of Tauranga Limited Board in August 2015 and took over the Chair in August 2022.  She has a wide range of commercial, financial, tax, regulatory and sustainability expertise developed from both her extensive governance roles and over the course of two decades as a partner with PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Julia is Chair of Auckland International Airport Limited and Northport Limited and a director of Meridian Energy Limited.  She is also a Member of the Chapter Zero New Zealand Steering Committee.

Steven Gray

Steve retired from Port of Tauranga Limited on 30 June 2020 after 33 years with the Port, with the last 13 years as Chief Financial Officer.  He is currently a Director of Quality Marshalling Limited, Timaru Container Terminal Limited, MetroBox Limited and Ruakura Inland Port.

Tony Reynish 

Tony Reynish

Tony is a former Senior Executive of Port of Tauranga Limited with 30 years' experience in Port Development, Property and Commercial Contracts.  He is currently a Director of Port Nelson Limited, Timaru Container Terminal Limited, Quality Marshalling Limited and MetroBox Limited.  Tony has a Civil Engineering degree from Canterbury University.

Senior Management

Phil Melhopt 

Phil Melhopt, Chief Executive

Phil joined PrimePort as Chief Executive in December 2014.  Phil has held Chief Executive roles in both local government and state owned enterprise sectors.  His background also includes logistics and sales management in both the forestry and FMCG sectors.  Phil was the inaugural chairman of the Otago Rural Fire Authority and has an active interest in rural fire management.

Nick Donaldson 

Nick Donaldson, Chief Financial Officer

Nick joined PrimePort in January 2012.  Nick brings strong commercial, financial and project analysis to existing activities and development opportunities.  He leads corporate finance, treasury, accounting, administration, property, special projects, and information and communications technology teams of the company.

Nick was involved in the Company's alliance with Port of Tauranga Limited in December 2013.

Prior to joining PrimePort, Nick held senior financial accounting roles with HC Partners and BDO in New Zealand.

Nick is a member of the Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand and the Institute of Directors.

Emma O'Connell 

Emma O'Connell, Operations Manager

Emma has extensive experience in both the Port and meat processing industries.  Emma's roles have included container operations and planning, environment and safety management, and more recently general port operations.  Having been PrimePort's Operations Supervisor since August 2020, Emma joined the Leadership Team in October 2022 as the Port Operations Manager.

 

Andrew Pye, Commercial & Marine Manager

Andrew joined PrimePort in August 2022.  Andrew's early career was in the New Zealand Army, where he served eight years in the regular force army.  After finishing with the New Zealand Army, Andrew worked on drilling rigs in the offshore oil and gas industry, then more recently as an operations manager for an international mining service company.  Prior to joining PrimePort Andrew was a vessel manager for Sanford deep water fleet.

Andrew brings enthusiasm and experience from different industries, as well as strong people and asset management skills.

 

Ben Kleinjan, Port Engineering Manager

Ben joined PrimePort in August 2018.  Ben brings a strong practical engineering approach to maintaining aging Port infrastructure.  Ben has spent the past three years providing asset condition inspections and structural assessments to PrimePort's wharf structures.

He brings enthusiasm and experience in developing technical solutions to complex problems.  Ben has experience in civil and structure engineering after spending 10 years with OPUS International Consultants Ltd.  Ben is tasked with providing PrimePort with fit for purpose assets and planning for future infrastructure development.

Stewart Gollan 

Stewart Gollan, Safety & Security Manager

Stewart joined PrimePort in June 2023 from Sanford and brings 10+ years of health and safety experience across the Mining, Construction and Fishing industries.  Stewart's experience across multiple high-risk industries ensures a strong focus on risk management, safety engagement and the ability to connect with a variety of people from the work front to the boardroom.  Stewart has successfully led safety on complex projects for Fonterra and Sanford and has a high-level of maritime safety experience which he brings to the role.