Leonard Sampson , Chief Executive
Leonard joined Port of Tauranga in 2013 as General Manager Commercial, leading commercial strategy, and customer growth. He was appointed Chief Operating Officer in 2019, with responsibility for operational performance and capability across the Port’s activities and became Chief Executive in 2021.
With a strong background in supply chain and logistics, Leonard has held senior roles across transport, supply chain, and industrial sectors, including KiwiRail, Carter Holt Harvey, and Mainfreight. He is known for a practical, customer-focused approach and for driving performance through strong operational discipline and long-term planning.
Email: chiefexecutive@port-tauranga.co.nz
Simon Kebbell , Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary
Simon was appointed Chief Financial Officer of Port of Tauranga in 2020. He has been with the company since 2003 and was previously IT/Finance Manager. He is a Chartered Accountant and has a First Class Honours Degree in a Bachelor of Management Studies.
Prior to joining Port of Tauranga, Simon was Manager – Internal Audit for PricewaterhouseCoopers in Singapore. He also held positions at Ernst & Young in Singapore and Auckland.
Email: cfo@port-tauranga.co.nz
Blair Hamill , GM Commercial
Blair oversees port operations, customer services and new business opportunities.
He joined the company in July 2020 after 20 years at Zespri International, the world’s largest kiwifruit marketer. Blair held a variety of senior roles at Zespri, including Global Commercial Manager and Chief Global Supply Officer.
Blair is a former chartered accountant.
Email: commercial@port-tauranga.co.nz
Pat Kirk , GM Health and Safety
Pat joined the company in 2013 and the senior management team in 2020, reflecting the importance of health and safety to our ongoing success.
He has three decades of extensive strategic and applied industry health and safety experience across a wide range of sectors. Pat is Chair of the Port Industry Association and a representative on the Port Industry Leadership group and various national health and safety organisations. Pat has a First Class Honours Degree in a Master of Business Studies.
Email: Health&Safety@port-tauranga.co.nz
Rochelle Lockley , GM Communications
Rochelle joined the Port of Tauranga senior management team in September 2020.
Rochelle, a former journalist, held senior communications roles in tourism and telecommunications in New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States before establishing a communications consultancy in 2005.
Email: news@port-tauranga.co.nz
Melanie Dyer , GM Corporate Services
Melanie joined Port of Tauranga’s senior management team in August 2020 from Trustpower Limited, where she was General Manager, People and Culture.
Prior to joining Trustpower in 2014, Melanie spent 11 years at Hydro Tasmania.
Melanie has a Master’s Degree in Organisational Development and Leadership Studies.
Email: HR@port-tauranga.co.nz
Dan Kneebone , GM Property and Infrastructure
Dan has overall responsibility for both the property portfolio and engineering interests of the Port.
He joined the Port of Tauranga senior management team in January 2013. He was previously GM Property and Development for Bunnings Limited and held senior roles at Trans Tasman Properties Limited and Fletcher Property Limited.
