'Head down, bum up': Budget veteran Chris Mackenzie caps decades of public service with Cook Strait ferry finding mission

'Head down, bum up': Budget veteran Chris Mackenzie caps decades of public service with Cook Strait ferry finding mission
Rail Minister Winston Peters with members of the Ferry Holdings board, including chair Chris Mackenzie (second from left). (Image: Supplied)
Oliver Lewis
Chris Mackenzie was mowing the lawn when the email from Treasury came through asking if he’d be interested in chairing Ferry Holdings.He’d been doing odd bits and pieces (a study on the Napier-Gisborne rail line for the last Government, for instance) but was otherwise happily retired after a lengthy public service career.Still, Mackenzie liked the calibre of the other proposed board members – operators like Heather Simpson and Greg Lowe – and, he told BusinessDesk, he has an abiding interest in the New Zealand transport...

More Infrastructure

Court allows Port of Tauranga fast-track panel to proceed
Infrastructure

Court allows Port of Tauranga fast-track panel to proceed

Bay of Plenty hapū had been seeking interim relief as part of judicial review.

Oliver Lewis 25 Jul 2025
Northland targets $60b regional economy by 2050
Primary Sector

Northland targets $60b regional economy by 2050

The bullish goal represents a six-fold increase over 2024 figures.

Oliver Lewis 24 Jul 2025
Fast-track legal fight over Tauranga wharf extension
Policy

Fast-track legal fight over Tauranga wharf extension

Bay of Plenty hapū seek High Court intervention to stop expert panel being set up.

Oliver Lewis 23 Jul 2025
KiwiRail submits Marsden Point rail spur business case
Infrastructure

KiwiRail submits Marsden Point rail spur business case

Winston Peters says the 19km line to Northport is 'going to happen'.

Oliver Lewis 21 Jul 2025