Date: 20 April 2026

The Auckland Transport Board has appointed Stacey van der Putten as its interim chief executive.

Stacey begins in her new role on 1 May 2026, for an 18-month period. This includes the six-month transition period as signalled by legislative change, and as the establishment chief executive for the new transport CCO following transition.

Stacey is the organisation’s current Director of Public Transport and Active Modes, and AT Board Chair Andrew Ritchie says the appointment brings a wealth of institutional knowledge through a time of change and significant delivery.

“The board and I are thrilled Stacey has accepted the role, which comes at a critical moment as we prepare for upcoming changes to transport governance in Auckland,” Mr Ritchie says.

“Stacey is a highly respected transport leader who has served in a number of roles at Auckland Transport since 2017.

“She has a deep understanding of the transport system in Auckland, and as highly regarded locally and across the sector.”

Mayor Wayne Brown welcomes Stacey Van Der Putten’s appointment. 

“Stacey has done a great job as AT’s Director of Public Transport and Active Modes and is a respected leader with a comprehensive knowledge of transport, council and the local government sector,” Mayor Brown says.

“She is well versed on the complexities of the transport transition programme, and the expectations of what we want out of this reform, which is to ensure AT is ready to be strictly a delivery agency for public transport.   

“This will be crucial as AT goes through change.  I look forward to continuing to work closely with her.” 

The salary for this role is $574,000. 

The AT Board acknowledges and thanks outgoing chief executive Dean Kimpton, who finishes his role at AT on 30 April. 

“Dean has made a significant contribution to AT over the past three years. The AT Board wishes Dean all the very best for his future endeavours and thanks him for his leadership and delivering outcomes for Aucklanders,” says Mr Ritchie.

About Stacey van der Putten 

Stacey van der Putten is a public transport leader domestically and across Australasia. Stacey is passionate about ensuring Auckland has a safe, accessible, resilient transport system which delivers real benefits to the people of Tāmaki Makaurau.  

Stacey has served Aucklanders in various roles at Auckland Transport since 2017. Prior to this appointment, Stacey was AT’s Director Public Transport and Active Modes,  which leads the services development and delivery of Auckland’s public transport and active mode networks.  

Previously, Stacey was Executive General Manager Safety and before that spent four years leading the Metro Services team at Auckland Transport, playing a vital role supporting the development of Auckland’s bus, train and ferry network.  

Before joining AT, Stacey spent 16 years in the private sector, the majority of which was spent developing service solutions for various sectors, including public housing, healthcare, construction and defence. 

Stacey is the current Chair of the Aotearoa Australasian Railway Association (ARA) Committee, a TrackSafe board trustee and a board director of the Public Transport Association of Australia & New Zealand (PTAANZ). Stacey is a chartered member of the Institute of Directors and has an MBA from Otago University.

ENDS