Chris Hipkins and the Theo Spierings transformation syndrome

Chris Hipkins and the Theo Spierings transformation syndrome
Theo Spierings promised transformation but didn't quite live up to it. (Image: BusinessDesk)
Dileepa Fonseka
The month of January was a story of transformative leaders, past and present, assuming leadership roles.  In New Zealand, that was Chris Hipkins assuming leadership of the Labour party; in the Netherlands, it was a transformational leader from our recent corporate history: Theo Spierings. Spierings is a figure many in NZ probably won’t forget any time soon. The former chief executive of Fonterra came in at a time when the co-operative needed to change, but he ended up leaving it little changed and arguably worse off, but still c...

More Opinion

RBNZ and the curious case of prudential stacks
Opinion

Andy Macdonald: RBNZ and the curious case of prudential stacks

The end result of the RBNZ’s capital review will be both revealing and fascinating.

Why govts can’t leave private assets alone
Opinion

David Chaplin: Why govts can’t leave private assets alone

Will politicians eventually ruin the reputation of the KiwiSaver regime?

A brush with Auckland’s unseemly side
Opinion

Maria Slade: A brush with Auckland’s unseemly side

Firms fear the city’s flagging reputation will deter much-anticipated extra traffic.

Maria Slade 20 Oct 2025