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

KiwiSaver grow-slow
Opinion

David Chaplin: KiwiSaver grow-slow

The 30-odd KiwiSaver providers must find growth, if they want it, by raiding rivals.

NZ's sluggish economy and housing challenges
Opinion

Cameron Bagrie: NZ's sluggish economy and housing challenges

House prices are still 40% higher than they were in 2017.

Cameron Bagrie 18 Aug 2025
‘She’ll be right, mate’: SkyCity Adelaide
Opinion

Dileepa Fonseka: ‘She’ll be right, mate’: SkyCity Adelaide

SkyCity Adelaide’s board didn’t meet for nearly 20 years.

Dileepa Fonseka 18 Aug 2025
All things macro ...
Opinion

Simon Robertson: All things macro ...

Talking about your macro trades at cocktail parties is top shelf.

Simon Robertson 16 Aug 2025