Board of Directors
The Board’s key role is to represent and promote the interests of the shareholders, by providing leadership in the development of Airways’ vision, strategy and activities.
Denise Church, Chair QSO, CFInstD
Denise was appointed as Chair of the Airways Board in January 2019, bringing with her a wide range of governance and management experience. She is a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Directors and holds degrees in zoology, economics and resource management.
Denise is currently Chair of Predator Free 2050 Ltd, a director of Predator Free Wellington Ltd, and a trustee of the South Youth Foundation.
She was previously Chair of the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) and Zealandia, and has held a number of board roles.
Denise was Chief Executive of the Ministry for the Environment from 1996 to 2001.
As director of Leadership Matters Ltd, she works with boards and executive teams on leadership and strategy development.
Darin Cusack, Deputy Chair MInstD
Darin was appointed to the Airways Board in April 2018. He is a Member of the Institute of Directors. Darin’s current governance roles include directorships of Hawke’s Bay Airport Ltd, Auckland One Rail Ltd, ACL Ltd, Absolute Solutions Group Ltd, and in the not-for-profit space with Youth Hostel Association (YHA) of New Zealand and the Canterbury Cricket Association.
Darin brings with him a background in aviation, transport and tourism, having held chief executive and senior executive roles across airport, air navigation, aviation security and airline organisations throughout New Zealand and the Pacific region.
Most recently, he led the Pacific Aviation Investment Program (PAIP) on behalf of the World Bank Group across six countries in the Pacific region, and the reform and restructure of the Pacific Aviation Safety Office. The programme delivered over US$350 million of infrastructure renewal, technical assistance, regulatory oversight and capacity building.
Darin undertakes a variety of work within New Zealand, as well as continuing to work across the Pacific region, supporting donor organisations in the development and preparation of investment programmes.
Gavin Fernandez MBA, CMInstD
Gavin (Ngāti Maru and Ngāti Porou) was appointed to the Airways Board in March 2022. He has wide experience in governance and senior management and is presently on the board of New Zealand Green Investment Finance (NZGIF).
He began his career as a Licenced Avionics Engineer with Air New Zealand and holds a New Zealand and a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Private Pilot Licence. He is a graduate of Lincoln University, United Kingdom (MBA) and INSEAD, France (Finance) and a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors.
Gavin has experience in past and present senior technical, commercial and governance roles in New Zealand, Hong Kong and North America – including work in the aviation, engineering, sustainability, environmental finance and social enterprise industries.
He has a passion for sustainability, a wide global network, and brings a diversity lens. He aims to help businesses succeed whilst caring for the environment and the community.
Gavin has a diverse background with Māori heritage and is a member of the Rainbow Community.
John Holt BA, PGDip BusAdmin
John was appointed to the Airways Board in January 2019. He is an experienced company director and entrepreneur with governance and executive experience across a wide range of company stages and industries.
His purpose statement is to “actively engage the world, learn, grow and share with others.”
John founded Technology and Innovations New Zealand (TAINZ) at age 17 to pursue his passion for evolving innovative ideas that solve meaningful problems into successful, scalable companies.
He is the co-founder of New Zealand technology start-ups Sonar6 (sold to United States company Cornerstone in 2012) and Homes.co.nz, (sold to New Zealand corporate Trade Me in 2021).
He is currently a director of Orbica Ltd, Kiwi Landing Pad Ltd (trading as Territory3), and Chair/Trustee of the Free For All Charitable Trust and of Technology and Innovations Ltd (TAINZ).
Since 2020, John has focused on applying his experience, connections, curiosity and applied skills specifically to the areas of strategy, sales, and cultural and digital transformation, to enhance the readiness of organisations for the future.
John has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Military History and a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration. He has had a lifelong interest in aviation and is a flying member of the Wellington Aero Club.
Mark Hutchinson BSc (Hons), MSc, PGDip Clps, MInstD
Mark was appointed to the Airways Board in November 2019. He is Managing Director of his own leadership consultancy, Divergent & Co – where he works predominately supporting boards and chief executives to improve executive leadership performance and drive change by linking strategy to capability and culture.
Starting his career in clinical psychology in New Zealand, Mark joined a global leadership consulting firm in London in 2001 and worked with senior leaders in a range of multinational and scale businesses such as RBS, BP and Sainsbury’s; then became Organisational Development Manager for Barclays UK Retail Bank during the global financial crisis.
Since returning to New Zealand in 2010, he has consulted across a range of industries in both the public and private sector, with clients such as Trustpower, Fonterra, Chorus, NZ Post, Waka Kotahi, Mercury Energy and Fletcher Building.
Terry Paddy BSc, MInstD
Terry was appointed to the Airways Board in November 2022. He has over 20 years of experience in military and civilian airline aviation and was a qualified flying instructor, check and training captain and Civil Aviation Authority-appointed flight examiner.
Terry is the Managing Director of the software development company Cortexo and has held positions as the President of the New Zealand Software Association and Canterbury Software Inc. He is a director of The Travel Supermarket Ltd.
He is a member of the Electricity Authority’s Innovation and Participation Advisory Group and an Advisory Board Member of the Sustainable Energy Association of New Zealand.
Terry is a Member of the Institute of Directors and was previously an Associate Member of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators and an Associate Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Management and Leadership.
Danny Tuato’o LLB, BA (Hons), MA, MIstD
Danny (Ngāpuhi) was appointed to the Airways Board in July 2023. He was admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand in 2005. In addition to his legal expertise, Danny has significant leadership experience as a business owner in New Zealand, a director in the public and private sectors, and a senior manager in law and education.
He is currently Managing Partner in Northland law practice Marsden Woods Inskip Smith and a member of the boards of Fire and Emergency New Zealand and Maritime New Zealand.
Danny was a panel member on the Air Navigation System Review commissioned by the Ministry of Transport, which concluded in May 2023.
Proficient in te reo Māori, Danny also volunteers for the Coastguard New Zealand Board and is actively involved in Kiwi recovery and pest control projects in Northland.
He lives with his wife and four children in Whangārei.