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
Commercial Manager
Before joining BARNZ, Patrick led the Qantas Corporate & Government Sales Team in New Zealand, managing key commercial partnerships and government relations across the country. His career spans a broad spectrum of roles, from regional airline operations to airport management, giving him a well-rounded perspective on the aviation landscape.
Patrick also spent six years on the U.S. East Coast, where he held positions at American Airlines and Marriott Hotels. His global experience, combined with a strong track record in stakeholder engagement and strategic development, underpins his commitment to advancing aviation in New Zealand.
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.
Megan Morris
BARNZ Vice-President / Head of International Affairs, Qantas Airways
Megan has been with the Qantas Group since 2006 and is currently the Head of International Affairs. Beginning her journey through the Graduate Program, Megan has held a number of roles within the Group, primarily with responsibility for international regulatory matters and industry engagement in the Government and Corporate Affairs teams
Wilson Young
General Manager NZ, Singapore Airlines
Wilson joined Singapore Airlines in 2001 and has extensive experience, with several commercial roles in Head Office in Singapore, as well as holding several international roles in UK & Ireland, Korea, Japan and his most recent role as General Manager Hong Kong. As country head, in addition to Auckland, Wilson 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.
Susan Lilley
South Pacific Regional Manager, United Airlines
Susan Lilley is the Regional Manager South Pacific for United Airlines, bringing nearly three decades of experience in the aviation industry. She began her career in sales before transitioning into airport operations, gaining a well-rounded understanding of the airline business. Prior to joining United Airlines, Susan spent 15 years with Qantas Airways, where she held a variety of
leadership roles. Her final position at Qantas was South Island Regional Manager, where she oversaw both Sales and Airport Operations.Susan joined United Airlines in Auckland, New Zealand, ten years ago and was promoted to her current role as Regional Manager during the COVID-19 pandemic. She subsequently relocated to Sydney to lead the South Pacific region through a period of significant change and recovery.
In addition to her role at United, Susan is an active contributor to the broader aviation community. She has served on the Executive Committee of the Board of Airline Representatives of Australia (BARA) for the past five years. In 2025, she was elected Chair of the Sydney Airline Operators Committee (AOC), where she has implemented key initiatives that have delivered strong results and fostered collaboration within the airline sector.
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.