Spark appoints Network and Operations Director

Spark New Zealand (“Spark”) today announced the appointment of Renee Mateparae to the role of Network and Operations Director, which is part of Spark’s Leadership Squad.

Spark previously announced Leadership Squad changes in March, with the creation of two Customer Director roles that will provide greater focus on both the enterprise and small-medium business segments of the market. As a result of these changes Spark announced its intention to complete
a search process for the Network and Operations Director role.

Renee brings with her a broad depth of experience that spans leadership roles across Spark and other large New Zealand businesses. Renee joined Spark in 2017 and is currently Technology Evolution Tribe Lead – responsible for Spark’s emerging technology development, including the roll-out of its 5G and
IoT networks. Prior to joining Spark, Renee was Head of Product Strategy at BNZ and spent five years at Air New Zealand, working across a variety of senior strategy roles. In 2019 Renee was appointed to the board of The Warehouse Group for a two-year term as part of the Future Directors programme.

Spark CEO Jolie Hodson said: “Renee has demonstrated her leadership capability over the last six years, overseeing the development of our emerging technology portfolio and leading the teams that have significantly scaled our IoT business and delivered our 5G rollout at pace. I look forward to the
contribution and insights she will bring to our Leadership Squad. 

“I am also delighted that we have been able to make another internal promotion to the Leadership Squad, which is testament to the significant investment we make in talent development and progression within Spark.”

Renee will join the Leadership Squad from 1 July 2023. From that time, the Spark Leadership Squad will be as follows:

• Jolie Hodson, CEO

• Melissa Anastasiou, General Counsel

• Matt Bain, Marketing Director

• Mark Beder, Customer Director Enterprise and Government

• Greg Clark, SME and Consumer Director

• Leela Gantman, Corporate Relations and Sustainability Director

• Stefan Knight, Finance Director

• Renee Mateparae, Network and Operations Director

• Heather Polglase, People and Culture Director

• Tessa Tierney, Product Director

Authorised by:

Alexa Preston

Finance Lead Partner – Group Performance & Investor Relations

For media queries please contact:

Althea Lovell
Corporate Relations Lead Partner
(64) 21 222 2992
althea.lovell@spark.co.nz
 
For investor queries please contact:
Chante Mueller
Head of Investor Relations
(64) 27 469 3062
Chante.Mueller@spark.co.nz