Board of directors Board of directors

Auckland Transport is a council controlled organisation (CCO). A CCO is an organisation in which a local authority controls 50% or more of the votes, or has the right to appoint 50% or more of the directors or trustees. Auckland Transport currently has eight board members and 2 CCO liaison councillors.

Role and appointment process

Auckland Transport’s activities are directed and guided at a strategic level by the board of directors:

Between 6 and 8 voting directors are appointed by Auckland Council and will generally serve a term of 1 to 3 years and then may be re-appointed by Auckland Council for a further 3 years.
Two of those directors may be members of Auckland Council.
In addition, 1 non-voting member is nominated by Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency.

The board has overall responsibility for delivering transport in Auckland. This includes managing and controlling public transport and local roads, as well as preparing the Auckland Regional Land Transport Programme.

All decisions relating to the operation of Auckland Transport are made by, or under, the authority of the board in accordance with the Local Government (Tāmaki Makaurau Reorganisation) Amendment Act 2009, the Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009, and the Local Government (Auckland Transitional Provisions) Act 2010.

Auckland Transport board members

Richard Leggat - Chair

Richard was appointed independent Board Chair of Auckland Transport from February 2024.

Richard has been a full-time professional director for over 10 years with a range of public sector and private sector roles along with directorships on sports, conservation and iwi boards.

Prior to these governance roles Richard worked in the finance sector for 15 years and prior to that in apparel manufacturing.

He was on the board of Waterfront Auckland and then Eke Panuku and currently chairs Westhaven Marina Ltd, so is familiar with Auckland Council process.

He is a keen outdoors person and sportsman having played cricket at provincial level and is a regular cyclist and skier.

Current roles and general disclosure of interests:

Chair of Save the Kiwi.
Chair of Hamilton Waikato Tourism.
Chair of Westhaven Marina Limited.
Trustee of Rakiura Māori Lands Trust.
Director of Rakiura Experiences Limited.
Member of the UCI Ethics Commission.
Director or Trophy Metropolitan Limited.
Director and Shareholder of Mortleg Limited.
Director of the Winter Games.

Julie Hardaker - Deputy Chair

Julie Hardaker is a practicing lawyer and experienced independent director and chair in a range of public, private and not for profit roles. She is a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Governance Institute and has first class LLB (Hons) and MMS (Hons) from Waikato University. Julie is currently Deputy Chair of Bay Venues Ltd, Chair of Chartered Governance Institute New Zealand and Women on Boards New Zealand, Chair of Orchestras Central Trust and trustee of Winston Churchill Memorial Trust.

Julie is the former Mayor of Hamilton and previous board roles include chair of the Environmental Protection Authority and Heads of Australasian Environmental Protection Authorities.

Current roles and general disclosure of interests:

Director of Julie Hardaker Limited.
Director and Deputy Chair of Bay Venues Limited.
Trustee and Chair of Orchestras Central Trust.
Trustee of Winston Churchill Memorial Trust.
Trustee of Common Good Foundation.
Chair of Governance New Zealand Inc.
Chair of Women on Boards.
Chartered Fellow of Chartered Governance Institute New Zealand.

Raveen Jaduram

Raveen Jaduram is a dedicated infrastructure leader, with over 38 years of experience in the water environment and infrastructure and Bachelors, Honours and Master’s degrees in Civil Engineering.

He has also held chief executive and senior roles in private and public sectors in Australia and in New Zealand, most recently Chief Executive of Watercare Services Limited. He has extensive experience in transforming organisations, creating customer value and contributing to community outcomes.

Current roles and general disclosure of interests:

Board Member of the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission.
Board member of Corde Limited
Director of Jaduram Limited.
Director of Jaduram Investments Limited.
Director of JN Jaduram Corporation Pte Limited (Fiji).
Director of Jaduram Properties Pte Limited (Fiji).
Chair of Water Services Authrotiy, Taumata Arowai.

Henare Clarke

Henare Clarke is an experienced general manager with over 40 years’ experience in roading construction, road and infrastructure maintenance, and rail infrastructure, more than 30 of which were spent working across the Auckland region.

He is a past General Manager of Higgins Contractors, has held several general management roles at KiwiRail including General Manager Operations and Group General Manager, and spent nine years with Downer Construction in senior regional roles. Henare was on the Board of the Kaikoura Earthquake Rebuild and Not for Profit organisations.

Current roles and general disclosure of interests:

Director and shareholder of Hakuichui Consult Limited.
Consultant at Martinus Rail NZ.
Consultant at Ministry for Social Development Trade Training (Carpentry).
Trustee at Somerville Intermediate.
CEO of Genesis Youth Trust.

Andrew Ritchie

Andrew Ritchie has had over thirty years' experience as a leader across the transport and tourism industries, with a notable focus on public transport as Director of Operations for Ritchies Transport Holdings. He is also a former chair of Northland Rugby. Andrew currently chairs North Harbour Rentals and Traveller Australia.

Andrew is known for his ability to build and nurture relationships across different sectors, often serving as an advisor on complex issues. Actively involved in the Auckland community, he contributes to local fundraising events, demonstrating his commitment to community welfare.

With expertise in long term planning and asset stewardship, Andrew is dedicated to delivering tangible results that positively impact stakeholders and the broader community.

Current roles and general disclosure of interests:

Director of AGR Ventures Limited.
Director and Shareholder of AJR Enterprises Limited.
Director and Shareholder of AJR Finance Limited.
Director and Shareholder of AJR Group Limited.
Director and Shareholder of AJR International Limited.
Director and Shareholder of AJR Investments Limited.
Director and Shareholder of AJR Property Apollo Limited.
Director and Shareholder of AJR Property Hobsonville Limited.
Director and Shareholder of AJR Property Vega Limited.
Director and Shareholder of Capital Management Limited.
Director and Shareholder of Central Landscape Systems Limited.
Director of Entrada Travel Group Limited.
Director of Hireworx Cabins (2024) Limited.
Shareholder of Kings Quarry Limited.
Director of Liftlink Holdings Limited.
Director of Matchme Money Limited.
Director and Shareholder of NHR Group Limited.
Director and Shareholder of One Cycle Limited.
Director and Shareholder of Pebblebrook Properties Limited.
Director of Ritchroll Holdings Limited.
Director of RTH International Limited.
Director of Sterling Properties Limited.
Director of Stray Limited.

Dale Dillicar

Dale is a seasoned finance executive with over 25 years of experience across global industries in financial management, risk governance, and operational oversight. After 12 years in the UK in financial operations, treasury management, and strategic risk, Dale returned to New Zealand, where she has spent the past decade at Fonterra. Currently serving as General Manager Risk Assurance for Fonterra's operating office, she previously led as General Manager for Commercial, Category & Innovation, driving financial performance and cultivating a high-performing team culture.

Dale is a Chartered Accountant and qualified Treasurer, with expertise in governance, financial oversight, and stakeholder engagement, with a focus on aligning practices with organisational goals to deliver long-term value. A committed Aucklander, Dale is a strong advocate for a safe, integrated, and efficient transport network for the Auckland region.

Richard May

Richard joined Waka Kotahi in May 2018 and has served as Senior Manager Government and Deputy General Manager Te Waka Kōtuia Engagement and Partnerships. He was appointed as Chief of Staff in August 2021, and works closely with our Board, Chief Executive and Executive Leadership Team to guide the strategic priorities and partnerships of Waka Kotahi.

Prior to joining Waka Kotahi, Richard built up extensive experience in the New Zealand Parliament, spending 12 years in various roles including as a Senior Ministerial Advisor to the Minister of Transport and Defence and as Chief of Staff to a Government support partner.

Current roles and general disclosure of interests:

Chief of Staff at New Zealand Transport Authority Waka Kotahi.
Trustee of Northland Primary School.
Trustee of Motu Foundation.

Councillor Maurice Williamson

Hon Maurice Williamson has been an Auckland Councillor for the Howick Ward since 2022.

Before joining Auckland Council, Maurice was New Zealand's Consul General in Los Angeles from 2017 to 2021. He also had a distinguished career as the Member of Parliament for Pakuranga, where he served for 30 years.

During his parliamentary tenure, Maurice held various ministerial positions, including Minister of Transport, Communications, Customs, Research Science and Technology, Information Technology, Building and Construction, Broadcasting, Land Information, Statistics, Small Business, and Local Government.

Between 1974 and 1987 Maurice worked for Air New Zealand in the Corporate Planning Division working mainly in the field of fleet planning.

He holds a Master’s Degree in Physics and Mathematics from Auckland University.

Councillor Chris Darby

Councillor Chris Darby is a Councillor for the North Shore Ward. He is focused on public transport, urban regeneration and environmental issues. Chris has been a strong advocate for public transport, cycling and road safety throughout his 19 years as an elected representative. He has advocated for light rail to the North Shore and the elevation of ferry transport.

Councillor Darby chaired the Auckland Council Planning Committee (2016 – 2022) and is currently a council sponsor for the Auckland Light Rail (ALR) project, having been an inaugural director of the ALR Establishment Board. Prior to becoming an Auckland Councillor, he was chair of the Devonport – Takapuna Local Board (2010 -2013) and a North Shore City Councillor (2004 – 2010), where he was deputy chair of the Infrastructure Committee and North Shore City Council’s representative on the Regional Transport Committee and Northern Corridor Steering Group, overseeing the delivery of the Northern Busway.

You may also be interested in:

Board meeting calendar and board reports

Executive team

For more information

Contact Auckland Transport