The Council is a group of future-focused thinkers, connectors, and advocates who care passionately about advancing New Zealand’s interests in a strong bilateral relationship with the US. We are fortunate to be well supported by our members via their governance leadership and assistance with the activities of the Council.
The Council operates as an incorporated society with an executive committee and executive director. Executive committee members, including the chair, are elected at our AGM to two-year terms.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Jonathan Mason has more than 30 years’ experience working for NZ and USA listed companies in finance, including CFO at Carter Holt Harvey, Fonterra, and Boston-based Cabot Corporation. In addition, Jonathan served in senior financial management positions at US based International Paper and Exxon Mobil.
Mr. Mason has also served in governance positions in both NZ and USA. His directorships have included Air New Zealand, Vector, Westpac NZ, Natixis North America, University of Auckland, and Zespri. Mr. Mason is an Honorary Adjunct Professor of Accounting and Finance at the University of Auckland.
Simon is the CEO of the Auckland Business Chamber, which is heavily focused on international business and trade, including with the United States.
In addition to its work with the NZUS Council, the Chamber hosts the US Business Summit. Simon has a strong personal interest in NZ US relations, and has been a frequent visitor to the States in the past as a leading New Zealand politician as well as more recently.
Prior to joining Air New Zealand in 2018, Reuben’s 17 years at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade included serving as New Zealand Ambassador to the Philippines and as Ambassador to Thailand, Cambodia and Lao PDR.
He has also served as a Private Secretary to the New Zealand Minister of Trade, and worked as a financial markets advocate in the City of London. His current roles include serving as a co-opted Director on the Board of Tourism Industry Aotearoa.
Reuben’s involvement with the NZ US Council builds on the airline’s links to the US that began almost 30 years ago. Air New Zealand now offers connections into six North America destinations following the successful launch of its first Auckland-New York direct service in September 2022.
He has also served as a Private Secretary to the New Zealand Minister of Trade, and worked as a financial markets advocate in the City of London. His current roles include serving as a co-opted Director on the Board of Tourism Industry Aotearoa.
Reuben’s involvement with the NZ US Council builds on the airline’s links to the US that began almost 30 years ago. Air New Zealand now offers connections into six North America destinations following the successful launch of its first Auckland-New York direct service in September 2022.
Fiona Cooper is Executive Director of the NZUS Council from 1 March 2024, having previously held the role from 2014-18. Her career has included roles in the private and public sectors. Most recently she was New Zealand Director of the Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum.
Her previous roles included Associate Director of the New Zealand International Business Forum, advisor to the APEC Business Advisory Council (NZ), Head of Corporate Affairs at Bank of New Zealand and General Manager for Trade Strategy at Fonterra Cooperative Group and New Zealand Dairy Board.
Her career began at the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade, including a trade policy posting to the New Zealand Embassy in Washington DC, a secondment to Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra, and two secondments to Ministerial offices in the New Zealand Parliament.
Justine is the General Manager of Trade Strategy at Fonterra, responsible for driving Fonterra’s engagement and advocacy on strategic global trade issues.
A former New Zealand diplomat, Justine held a range of trade policy roles in the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade prior to joining Fonterra five years ago, including offshore roles in the US and UK. She has also served as an advisor to the Minister of Trade.
A graduate of the University of Auckland in Arts and Law, Justine has been admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor to the High Court of New Zealand, and has completed studies in international law at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark and Georgetown University in Washington DC.
Joshua Tan is the Executive Director of ExportNZ, a division of BusinessNZ - New Zealand’s peak industry body. In his role, Josh works to ensure the export sectors are well represented in Wellington and advocates for a business environment in which exporters can thrive. Josh also works to advocate for New Zealand’s manufacturing sector.
ExportNZ is a peak industry association representing a diverse range of exporters throughout New Zealand. It is a membership organisation and has approximately 2,000 export members around the country. ExportNZ advocates for, inspires, connects, and celebrates New Zealand exporters. The organisation aims to build a thriving ecosystem that supports each other.
Fran O’Sullivan is a founding director of the NZUS Council. Fran led the private sector taskforce which formed the Council in November 2001 on the back of the “Creating Coalitions of Common Interest” summit which she also chaired. She subsequently served as vice-president and in later years, Chair of the Advisory Board.
She has an active interest in New Zealand’s primary external relationships and has participated in all New Zealand leadership forums with the United States, China and Australia.
In 2022, she launched the annual United States Business Summit with the support of the Council. Fran is also a member of the New Zealand China Council and is a former deputy chair of the New Zealand committee of the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council.
Fran has a long association with Apec and was a member of the Apec Business Leadership Group for New Zealand’s successful hosting in 2021 and served on the CEO Summit committee.
She founded a private company, NZ INC. in 2005 to champion business engagement with offshore markets.
Ms O’Sullivan is a New Zealand Herald business columnist, is contracted as Head of Business for NZME, and previously edited the National Business Review.
She was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2019 for services to business and journalism.
Erik joined the NZUS Council in 2022. In his capacity as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Strategic Engagement) at the University of Auckland, he supports a wide range of institutional collaborations with leading American universities, ranging from student exchange programmes, research collaboration and teaching partnerships.
The University also has a very significant alumni and donor community in the United States. Together, these links have great potential for contributing to the ambitions of the Council.
Joining the airline in May 2021, Mat's corporate affairs career has spanned over 20 years across the energy, water, and telecommunications industries within New Zealand.
Mat’s involvement with the NZUS Council builds on the airline’s links to the US that began almost 30 years ago. Air New Zealand now offers connections into six North American destinations following the successful launch of its first Auckland-New York direct service in September 2022.
James Waite is Divisional Manager, Americas, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. He has extensive professional experience in North America and East Asia.
His overseas assignments include Deputy Head of Mission, New Zealand Embassy Beijing and Ambassador to Mongolia, 2022-24; First Secretary (Political), Washington DC, 2014-2017; and Second Secretary (Political), Jakarta, 2008-2011. James joined the Ministry in 2005.
Previous capital-based roles include Unit Manager, South and South East Asia Division (2018-2021), Acting Unit Manager in Americas Division (2018), Manager of the North Korea Task Force (2017), and Senior Policy Officer in the International Security and Disarmament Division (2011-2013) and in the Asia Regional Division (2013).
James holds a PhD in the History of US Foreign Relations from Ohio University (2005). In
2012 he published The End of the First Indochina War: A Global History (Routledge) – a book adapted from James’ doctoral dissertation. His undergraduate qualifications include a First Class Honours degree (History) and a Bachelor of Science degree (Chemistry) from the University of Otago (2000).
James speaks Indonesian.
His overseas assignments include Deputy Head of Mission, New Zealand Embassy Beijing and Ambassador to Mongolia, 2022-24; First Secretary (Political), Washington DC, 2014-2017; and Second Secretary (Political), Jakarta, 2008-2011. James joined the Ministry in 2005.
Previous capital-based roles include Unit Manager, South and South East Asia Division (2018-2021), Acting Unit Manager in Americas Division (2018), Manager of the North Korea Task Force (2017), and Senior Policy Officer in the International Security and Disarmament Division (2011-2013) and in the Asia Regional Division (2013).
James holds a PhD in the History of US Foreign Relations from Ohio University (2005). In
2012 he published The End of the First Indochina War: A Global History (Routledge) – a book adapted from James’ doctoral dissertation. His undergraduate qualifications include a First Class Honours degree (History) and a Bachelor of Science degree (Chemistry) from the University of Otago (2000).
James speaks Indonesian.