The Team Guiding
AVIATION IN NEW ZEALAND
Introducing The BARNZ Team
At the heart of BARNZ is a dedicated and experienced team committed to representing the interests of international airlines operating in New Zealand. With deep industry knowledge and strong networks across the aviation and regulatory sectors, our team works closely with stakeholders to shape policy, improve operations and advocate for sustainable growth. Meet the people driving our work day to day!
Cath O'Brien
Executive Director
Cath leads the BARNZ team as they advocate on behalf of their members on policy, regulatory and operational matters affecting the airline industry. A passionate advocate, Cath is driven to achieve best settings for aviation recovery in New Zealand. Before joining BARNZ in August 2022, Cath spent five years at Air New Zealand, most recently as Head of Regulatory Affairs.
Cath is well connected to industry groups beyond New Zealand, enjoying good relationships with international industry bodies such as IATA. She has previously been a board member for Airlines for Australia and New Zealand (A4ANZ). Cath has a Masters degree in Art History from the University of Auckland, and has undertaken executive education at the London School of Economics and Politics, and at Harvard University in Boston Massachusetts.
Patrick Whelan
Aviation Development Manager
Prior to joining BARNZ as their Aviation Development Manager, Patrick lead the Corporate & Government Sales Team at Qantas where he was responsible for all Commercial and Government relations activities throughout New Zealand. Patrick has significant airline experience in both Commercial and Operational roles including regional and airport management roles.
His work in aviation includes six years based on the east coast of the USA where he held Sales and Marketing positions at American Airlines and Marriott Hotels
Chris Ford
Policy Advisor
Chris works part time for BARNZ in a policy support role on policy and pricing matters.
Chris spent many years as a safety and security regulator with the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand (CAANZ), rising to the role of Deputy Chief Executive Aviation Security and Infrastructure.
During this time he represented New Zealand on aviation matters in a range of international forums including ICAO and APEC. Prior to joining BARNZ Chris most recently spent time with the New Zealand Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) working on a range of matters in project management and policy advisor roles. He has undertaken executive and governance education at the Australia and New Zealand School of Government, the University of Melbourne School of Business, the Harvard Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, and the Institute of Directors in New Zealand He holds a degree in Philosophy from Victoria University of Wellington.
Introducing The BARNZ Executive Committee
BARNZ is governed by an Executive Committee made up of senior airline representatives who provide strategic oversight and direction. This group brings a wealth of global aviation expertise and ensures BARNZ remains aligned with the needs and priorities of our member airlines. The committee supports our mission by guiding high level decision making and championing sector wide collaboration.
BARNZ President / General Manager Airports for Air New Zealand
Kate Boyer
Kate is the General Manager Airports for Air New Zealand and has been with the company since 2022. In this role, she has responsibility for the safety, customer experience, on-time performance and day-to-day operation of Air New Zealand’s 20 domestic airports, leading more than 2500 employees.
She oversees strategy and performance improvement for Air New Zealand airports while working with a wide range of stakeholders across the New Zealand aviation ecosystem. Previously, Kate was Head of Commercial Projects, where she worked on commercial strategy and customer proposition development for the Domestic and Tasman networks. Prior to joining Air New Zealand, Kate was with Bain & Company where she held various roles in the Melbourne and Boston offices. She focused on enterprise transformation delivery and commercial strategy, with experience in the banking, logistics, and aviation sectors.
Chris Lethbridge
BARNZ Vice-President / New Zealand Regional Manager, Emirates
Chris joined Emirates as in 1997 as Manager New Zealand and Pacific Islands. In 2003 he oversaw the start of Emirates services to New Zealand. He has 24 years’ experience in the airline industry, prior to his current role as Regional Manager New Zealand for Emirates Chris held senior roles at Malaysia Airlines and Thai international. Chris also holds a private pilot licence.
Anna Pritchard
Executive Manager, Government, Industry & Competition Qantas Airways
Anna has been with the Qantas Group since 2010. She is a regulatory lawyer by training and since coming to Qantas has held roles across the Legal, Commercial and Government teams in Australia and overseas. Prior to her current role, Anna was Qantas’ Regional General Manager for the UK, Europe, Middle East, India and Africa, based in London.
Before this she was Qantas’ Head of Legal and Assistant Company Secretary, heading teams responsible for providing strategic competition and regulatory advice, oversight and compliance, engaging with key regulators and managing litigation and dispute resolution and corporate governance across the Qantas Group. Prior to joining Qantas, Anna worked at in private legal practice at Allens and the Australian Government Solicitor.
George Robertson
General Manager NZ, Singapore Airlines
George joined Singapore Airlines in September 2008. He has held several roles across the airline’s international network including the airline’s head office in Singapore. George began his career with Singapore Airlines in its UK & Europe office overseeing several commercial roles before transferring to Singapore where he worked in revenue management and regional marketing.
Subsequently, George has managed the airline’s operations across Gujarat (India) and Bangladesh as General Manager prior to assuming the role of General Manager New Zealand in October 2021. As country head, in addition to Auckland, George is also responsible for operations in Christchurch.
Chris Paykel
Country Manager New Zealand, QATAR Airways
Chris is the Country Manager for Qatar Airways in New Zealand, overseeing the airline’s strategic and commercial operations from its national office in Auckland. With over 25 years of experience in the aviation, travel and hospitality sectors, he brings a strong global perspective and proven expertise in stakeholder engagement, commercial strategy, and international market development.
Prior to joining Qatar Airways, Chris led national sales for Emirates in New Zealand, managing relationships across corporate, trade, and government sectors. His international career includes roles in London, San Antonio, Boston, Boca Raton and Sydney with organisations including Carlson Wagonlit Travel, South Pacific Hotels and La Quinta Suites. Chris is a member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors. He currently serves as Chair of the Joyce Fisher Charitable Trust and Vice Chair of the Ipipiri Nature Conservancy Trust. He is also an Executive Committee member of the New Zealand Middle East Business Council, where he has previously held the roles of Treasurer and Vice Chair.
Sheryn Ambler
Regional Manager, Fiji Airways
Sheryn’s airline career started with United Airlines GSA in Wellington in the 1990’s as Corporate Account Manager South Pacific. Having taken a 10 year break from the airline industry to work on her own Corporate Catering Business she then had the opportunity to move to Fiji to work for Island Hoppers, an aviation company comprising of Helicopter, Fixed Wing and Skydiving Adventures.
After 9 years with Island Hoppers 3 of those living in Fiji, the role with Fiji Airways came up to which Sheryn joined the national carrier in 2018.
Frosti Lau
Regional General Manager, South West Pacific - Cathay Pacific Airways
Frosti Lau is currently Regional General Manager, South West Pacific for Cathay Pacific Airways since October 2023. Frosti joined the Cathay Group in 2000 and has worked in various leadership position in Hong Kong SAR, Chinese Mainland and Africa within the airline group across commercial and operation, both in passenger and cargo line of businesses.
Prior to the recent move to Sydney, he was General Manager Cargo Service Delivery responsible for the global cargo operation and compliance, and actively involved in various consultations and discussions among key stakeholders on the development need as air cargo hub for Hong Kong International Airport in his capacity as Chairperson for Air Cargo Carrier Liaison Group. He has also been serving as board member of CargoiQ, the air cargo industry leading quality assurance standard organization, Logistic Service Advisory Committee for Hong Kong Trade Development Council, as well as IATA Cargo Services Conference.
Kim Rasmussen
CEO, Tasman Cargo Airlines PTY Ltd
Kim Joined Tasman Cargo Airlines (TCA) in January 2021. At the time TCA was operating a single B767-300 Production Freighter between AKL and SYD. This has since grown to TCA now operating 3 B767-300PFs and 1 B777-200PF. AKL and CHC in NZ as well as SYD and MEL in AU are part of the network together with SIN and HKG.
Kim has had an extensive Aviation background starting with working for SAS and DHL Aviation before joining TCA in various roles. Kim has been based in Copenhagen, Cologne, Brussels, Singapore and most recently before moving to the TCA HQ at Sydney at Hong Kong.
Shelley Musk
Head of Jetstar New Zealand
Shelley has been with the Qantas Group since 2005 and is currently the Head of Jetstar in New Zealand. Since joining the Qantas Group Shelley has held a variety of position in the areas of; general airline management, operations, and Cabin Crew management. Prior to her current position, Shelley was the Head of Jetconnect where she was the first women in New Zealand to hold an Air
Operations Certificate for a jet operation. Before joining the Qantas Group, Shelley held a variety of positions at Air New Zealand including; marketing, revenue and pricing, product development and customer service delivery. Shelley holds a master’s degree in Organisational Behaviour and Industrial Relations, and a post graduate diploma in Marketing from the University of Auckland. Shelley is currently a Director of the Qantas Group subsidiaries; Jetconnect Limited and Jetstar Airways Limited in New Zealand.