Our people

Geoff Dangerfield

Geoff was appointed the NZ Transport Agency's Chief Executive designate on 2 April and officially became the NZTA's first Chief Executive on 1 August 2008.

He joined the NZTA from the Ministry of Economic Development (MED) where he was Chief Executive from May 2001. Under his leadership, MED had an integrating influence in aligning both departments and ministers in a unified economic development strategy for New Zealand.

Previously, Geoff was Deputy Secretary to The Treasury in charge of the Asset and Liability and Management Branch, with responsibilities for the Crown's investments and interests in State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) and Crown financial institutions, and New Zealand's foreign and domestic debt.

He joined The Treasury in 1985, working on reforms to transform departmental trading activities into SOEs, and on primary sector and science policy. From 1993 to 1995, Geoff worked in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet as an advisor on economic and fiscal strategy and Treaty settlements.

Before joining The Treasury, he worked in the Ministry of Works and Development on assessing public sector resource investment and regional infrastructure projects.

Geoff holds an MSc in resource management from the University of Canterbury.

Ernst Zollner, Group Manager Strategy and Performance

Ernst was previously Director of Urban Development and Transport at the Wellington City Council, where he has held other roles including in strategic planning and economic development. During his career he has lectured on infrastructure planning and urban economics at the University of Auckland, worked at Local Government NZ and as a consultant in private practice. Ernst has a Masters Degree in city and regional planning, strong economic qualifications and considerable experience in stakeholder relationships.

Celia Patrick, Group Manager Access and Use

Celia has more than 20 years experience working in the financial services sector, including various executive roles with BNZ. Prior to joining the NZTA, Celia worked for Housing New Zealand as Director of Operations for Auckland.

Liz Huckerby, Group Manager People and Capability

Liz was previously Acting Deputy Commissioner at the Inland Revenue Department and has also worked at the State Services Commission, in health and the private sector. Liz has held roles in human resources, corporate services and governance and has a Masters degree in Business from Massey University.

Allan Frost, Group Manager Organisational Support

Allan was previously the Chief Financial Officer and subsequently Chief Information Officer for the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. Allan also sat on the Ministry's management executive board. He has considerable experience in change, information services and financial management, and how to use them effectively to support business delivery. Allan is a Chartered Accountant by profession.

Colin Crampton, Group Manager Highways and Network Operations

Colin was previously General Manager Capital Projects for Transit NZ. Colin has considerable experience in highways development, having worked for Transit since 1989. He has been active in introducing new business approaches and systems to procurement, risk management and business reporting, and providing strategic advice on major projects.

Dave Brash, Group Manager Planning and Investment

Dave joined the NZ Transport Agency in December 2008 from The Treasury where he was General Manager of the Emissions Trading Group, leading the development of New Zealand's emissions trading scheme. This role was a two-year secondment from the Ministry for the Environment, where he was General Manager responsible for working with central government. He has more than 23 years experience working with central and local government agencies on complex policy reforms and putting them in place. He has considerable experience in the management of change. Dave has a BSc (Hons) in geography – specialising in hydrology and computer science.

Stephen Town, Regional Director Auckland/Northland

Stephen joined the Agency in October 2010, following an eight year stint as Chief Executive with Tauranga City Council. Before joining Tauranga City he was Chief Executive with Franklin District Council. Before entering local government Stephen worked in ports, insurance and the education sector, where latterly he was Chief Executive with Wanganui Polytechnic. Stephen has a career background in finance, education administration and general management and holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration.

Jenny Chetwynd, Regional Director Central (Taranaki/Manawatu/Wanganui, Hawkes Bay, Gisborne, Wellington, Nelson, Tasman, Marlborough).

Previously Manager of Environmental Strategy for Transpower, Jenny has also held policy and planning roles with the Porirua and Hutt City Councils, the Ministry for the Environment and Boffa Miskell, an environmental planning consultancy.

Jim Harland, Regional Director Southern

Jim joined the Agency in February 2011 after eleven years as Dunedin City Council's CEO. Prior to this, he has held senior roles in local government and the private sector, specialising in strategic thinking and change management. He was a tourism consultant for a number of years and initiated a tourism planning course at Auckland University. The World Health Organisation has used Jim's expertise in understanding and leading communities on several occasions to further their Healthy Cities Initiative.

He holds a Masters Degree (with Honours) in Town Planning, a Diploma in Town Planning from Auckland University and a B.A. in Geography from the University of Canterbury. He is also a fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Management and a member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors and the New Zealand Planning Institute.

Harry Wilson, Regional Director Waikato/Bay of Plenty

Harry was previously Chief Executive of Environment Waikato and Group Manager Resource before that. He has held various management roles at Children, Young Persons and their Families Service, the Department of Social Welfare and the New Zealand Society for the Intellectually Handicapped.