Chair/CEO Series | Auckland Airport

26 Nov 2025

The executive discussion explored the evolving Chair–CEO relationship and the broader partnership between Boards and executive leadership teams amid a challenging economic and operating environment. Carrie and Julia shared perspectives on how they worked together to navigate complex business challenges while maintaining alignment, trust and effective governance.

The conversation examined the impact of rapid technological change, cybersecurity, regulatory compliance, sustainability and environmental considerations, alongside rising customer expectations and ongoing economic pressures. Participants discussed how strong Board–executive relationships could support better decision-making, adaptability and organisational resilience.

The session highlighted practical approaches to strengthening board effectiveness, navigating shared challenges and creating sustainable improvements through constructive collaboration between the Board, Chair, CEO and executive leadership team.

The Venue
Russell McVeagh, Level 30, Vero Centre, 48 Shortland Street, Auckland New Zealand

Event Speakers

Paul McBeth
Founder & Editor
The Bottom Line
Julia Hoare
Chair
Auckland Airport
Carrie Hurihanganu
Chief Executive Officer
Auckland Airport

Event Partners

Russell MCcVeagh

Russell McVeagh is a leading commercial law firm, known as the go-to team for tackling complex legal problems. We have over 370 people across our Auckland, Wellington, and Te Waipounamu South Island offices, with the recent opening of our Queenstown office in April 2025. We offer our clients a collaborative, one-firm approach. As a full-service firm, our practice groups work seamlessly to support a wide range of clients, drawing on our expertise across the full spectrum of corporate advisory, banking and finance, litigation and disputes, real estate and construction, tax, public law and environmental law matters. Whether a major corporate, regulator, investor, public sector, or non-profit organisation, we listen and take the time to develop a deep understanding of our clients' ambitions. We adapt to the client's preferred ways of working and always seek to find solutions that align with their culture and values, and strategic goals. Above all, we aim to provide pragmatic and clear advice.