Friday, March 29, 2024

O’Connor departs DINZ

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Deer Industry New Zealand (DINZ) chief executive Mark O’Connor is leaving the organisation after 13 years, eight as chief executive.
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He will go after the deer industry conference in Wellington in May. 

“Mark has given the board very early notice of his intention to leave Deer Industry NZ to provide plenty of time to recruit a new chief executive and to ensure a smooth transition,” DINZ chairman Andy Macfarlane said. 

He said the board appreciated O’Connor’s professionalism as head of the organisation and how he led the industry “out of a cyclical downturn” to its current position. 

O’Connor said he has enjoyed his time at the helm of DINZ but will pursue other opportunities in a family business. 

“I’m departing because I have an opportunity to play a more active role in the management and development of a family business, given the impending retirement of an incumbent. 

“However, I remain passionate about the deer industry – its people, products and unique culture. I have absolute confidence in the deer industry’s future. 

“Its products are niche, high value and it’s one of the few industries in NZ which has a true competitive advantage. I will miss not having a role in the industry’s development.” 

O’Connor began with the Game Industry Board, Deer Industry NZ’s predecessor, in the velvet portfolio in 2000 and became chief executive in early 2005. 

The NZ deer industry is the largest farmed deer industry in the world with about 3000 producers, farming a million deer and producing $260 million in export revenue.

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