The Aggregate & Quarry Association of New Zealand (AQA) and the Mining Extractive Health and Safety Council (MinEx) are pleased to announce the appointment of Denise Mackay as their new Chief Executive.
Denise brings extensive executive leadership experience across local and central government, public affairs, stakeholder engagement, advocacy, strategic communications, governance and organisational transformation. She joins AQA and MinEx following senior leadership roles in New Zealand and Australia, most recently with the Town of Port Hedland in Western Australia’s Pilbara region.
Denise replaces retiring AQA CE Wayne Scott who has also served as CEO of MinEx. He will remain as an adviser to the health and safety organisation over the next year.
AQA Chair Jayden Ellis said Denise’s appointment marks an exciting step forward for the organisation and its members.
“Denise is an accomplished and highly respected leader with a proven track record of delivering results in complex environments. Her experience working across government, industry and community sectors, combined with her strong strategic and advocacy capabilities, make her exceptionally well placed to lead AQA as we continue to strengthen the profile and influence of New Zealand’s quarrying and aggregates sector.”
Denise has held senior leadership positions with organisations including the Town of Port Hedland, the Ministry for Regulation, Te Puni Kōkiri, Wellington City Council, The Treasury and the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Throughout her career she has successfully led organisational transformation, government relations, policy development, stakeholder engagement and complex change programmes.
She also brings significant governance experience through board and membership organisations in both New Zealand and Australia, including serving as Chair of the Public Relations Institute of New Zealand, where she successfully led the organisation through a period of strategic renewal and financial sustainability reform.
Denise said she was excited by the opportunity to champion an industry that plays a critical role in New Zealand’s economic and infrastructure future.
“Aggregates are fundamental to the homes we build, the roads we travel on and the vital infrastructure that supports communities across New Zealand. I am looking forward to working alongside AQA members, industry partners, government agencies and stakeholders to ensure the sector’s contribution is better understood, recognised and supported.”
“The quarry industry has an essential role to play in enabling growth, productivity and resilience. I am excited to help tell that story, advocate for practical and effective policy settings, champion ongoing community engagement and stringent planning, environmental and operating conditions.”
MinEx Chair Josie Vidal says Denise is also strongly committed to ensuring the ongoing commitment of mines and quarries to health and safety best practice through her dual role as MinEx CE.
“Wayne will provide invaluable support to Denise over the next year, including running MinEx regional workshops which provide important health and safety advice to quarry, mine and tunnelling operators and their staff.”
“These workshops, alongside Wayne’s advocacy over the last decade, have lifted health and safety performance in the extractives sector, leaving a strong platform for Denise to build on.
“At a time when advocacy around health and safety is as important as ever, we know that Denise brings a strong skill set to effectively represent MinEx to the next Government, to be elected in November.”
During her most recent appointment in Western Australia’s resource-rich Pilbara region, Denise worked closely with major resource industries and developed a strong appreciation for the importance of extractive industries to economic development, regional prosperity and community wellbeing.
Denise engaged with the AQA Leaders Forum prior to her position being confirmed.
As Chief Executive, Denise will lead the implementation of AQA and MinEx’s strategic priorities, strengthen engagement with central and local government, grow industry influence, support members and work closely with industry partners to advance sustainable, safe and responsible quarrying across New Zealand.