Kinetic appoints Tessa Auelua to lead New Zealand business

Kinetic, the largest bus operator in Australasia and a leading multi-modal mass transit operator, has appointed Tessa Auelua as CEO of its New Zealand business, following an extensive global search.

With a career spanning frontline operations through to senior executive leadership, Tessa will head Kinetic’s New Zealand operations from November, leading a nationwide team responsible for helping thousands of New Zealanders get to work, school and where they need to be every day.

Born and raised in Wellington, Tessa joins Kinetic from Port of Auckland, where she is currently General Manager Containers and Engineering, following a career that spans aviation, transport and supply chain, including senior leadership roles with Air New Zealand.

In her most recent role at Port of Auckland, Tessa led the container and engineering business at the largest import port for New Zealand. She was responsible for leading the organisation's largest operational team, representing nearly two-thirds of its workforce, through a significant business and safety culture transformation.

Kinetic Group CEO Michael Sewards said Tessa stood out during an extensive global search.

“We looked around the world for the right person to lead our New Zealand business, which makes it even more meaningful to have found the right person so close to home,” Mr Sewards said.

“Tessa brings an impressive track record leading complex operations and helping organisations through significant periods of change, but what really stood out to us was how she leads. She understands that businesses like ours are ultimately about people, whether that’s the people behind the wheel, the teams supporting them or the communities who rely on us every day.

“Aotearoa is an important part of Kinetic’s global network – we have a strong, capable team there, a leadership position in zero-emission busing and depot electrification, and a lot of opportunity ahead. Tessa's job is to build on that, and I'm confident she will."

Starting out on the frontline in aviation has shaped both Tessa’s people-focused approach to leadership and the kind of organisations she wants to be part of.

"I've always been drawn to roles where you can make a genuine difference to people's lives," she said.

"That's what really connects me to Kinetic. Public transport is about so much more than buses. It's about giving people safe and reliable access to school, work and life, while supporting those who make that possible every day.

"I've spent my career in operations where safety is the thing that matters most, and that's where I'll start here. Getting every person home safely at the end of their shift is the foundation everything else is built on, and it's never finished work.

"I'm coming into a business that already does an incredibly important job every day. My first priority will be to listen and learn. I want to get out to our depots, spend time with our drivers and teams, and meet our customers and partners to understand what's working and where we can do more.

"My approach has always been to involve people, give them the context they need and empower those closest to the issues to help shape the solutions. I want to make sure we continue creating a workplace where people can do their best work."

Mr Sewards also acknowledged Calum Haslop, who steps down as Managing Director New Zealand in October after four years leading the business and, before that, as Chief Executive of Go Bus New Zealand. Mr Haslop will continue to support Kinetic as a strategic adviser to the Board.

“Calum has a long and proud history in public transport and has led our New Zealand business through a period of significant growth,” Mr Sewards said.

“I want to thank him for everything he has contributed, and I'm pleased he will remain connected to Kinetic in an advisory capacity."

Kinetic operates bus services across New Zealand and is at the forefront of the country’s transition to zero-emission public transport. It operates more than 390 electric buses from 12 electrified depots nationwide and employs more than 4,000 people across its urban and regional operations.

Kinetic is a trusted transport partner for local councils across New Zealand and is the largest provider of school transport services for the Ministry of Education. The company also delivers premium charter and tourism services nationwide.

Tessa will commence as CEO – Kinetic New Zealand in November.