CEO

John brings to Tait Systems New Zealand (TSNZ) a vast array of knowledge of radio, telecommunications, and infrastructure, as well as considerable skill in all aspects of senior management.

John’s roles over the past 25 years include CEO of Telecom Cook Islands - where he was hands-on in all aspects of the network and responsible for 150 staff. More recently, John held senior roles in New Zealand working for Spark, 2Degrees, and most recently as CEO of Rural Connectivity Group (RCG) where he led a team of industry specialist to deliver the government funded Rural Broadband Initiative Phase 2 (RBI2), and Mobile Black Spot Fund (MBSF) program of work. Across these roles he excelled at managing resources and operations and communications between shareholders, the board, and corporate operations.

Joining TSNZ in October 2024, John provides valuable direction and leadership, contributing to the team through his passion for enabling expert delivery.

General Manager Network Delivery

Paul’s career in the radio and telecommunication industry spans over 30 years. He brings to TSNZ an unrivalled understanding of Radio network deployment. 

Prior to joining TSNZ, Paul was Head of Acquisition and Delivery at Rural Connectivity Group NZ. He has also held multiple senior technical roles at Spark NZ – from Radio Access Network deployment through to capital planning and investment.

Paul joined TSNZ in early 2024 as Head of Site Acquisition Engineering and Design (SAED) and is now General Manager of Network Delivery. He is responsible for ensuring that the processes for identifying, securing, and building sites are executed efficiently and in a timely manner.

Relationship Manager

After graduating with a master's in computer science from The University of Otago, Steve joined NBNZ (which became ANZ) in their IT team, holding many technical, delivery and management roles over the course of 16 years. Before joining TSNZ in 2023 as Project Director, Steve also delivered large project portfolios for some of Vodafone’s and HP/DXC biggest New Zealand customers. 

Steve brings an array of expertise to TSNZ. His key strengths include his delivery disposition, an extensive understanding of technology, wide-ranging stakeholder management, and strong commercial acumen.  

Steve works across the project to bring together the various workstreams that TSNZ are delivering to NGCC and the Agencies. He oversees the coordination of these workstreams required to make the network operational and onboard agencies to the new network.  

Health and Safety Quality Manager

Riaan Hunt is a highly accomplished health, safety, and quality leader with over 27 years of experience in the telecommunications industry. A Structural Civil Engineer by training, he has built a distinguished career overseeing complex infrastructure projects, ensuring compliance with global safety and engineering standards, and driving operational excellence. 

Holding a NEBOSH International Diploma in Health & Safety, Riaan progressed into senior leadership roles at MTN Global, serving as Head of Health and Safety for the Gauteng region and Design and Acceptance Engineer. Since relocating to New Zealand in 2012, Riaan has worked with leading firms such as Huawei, Spark, and RCG.

In May 2024, Riaan joined TSNZ as the Health and Safety Quality Manager for the PSN project, where he is responsible for strategic safety leadership, contractor onboarding, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement initiatives. His leadership ensures TSNZ maintains the highest industry standards, fostering a culture of safety, operational efficiency, and innovation across all project phases. 

Finance Manager

Tania joined Tait Systems as the Finance Manager in January 2023. Tania’s career as a Chartered Accountant spans over 25 years, with over 20 years within large multinationals and medium-sized privately owned companies. She has significant industry experience within the infrastructure and telecommunications construction sector. Her previous roles within Entelar and Sky Communications provide industry insight that is unequalled.  

Tania has experience in end-to-end finance covering financial and management reporting, budgeting and forecasting, cashflow management, AP, AR, payroll, tax, and external and internal controls.  She has worked extensively in project-based businesses providing thought leadership and support across all stages from quoting and tendering to variations and commercial support. 

Director

Dr Yoram Benit has been Chief Executive Officer of Christchurch-based Tait Communications since June 2021. He joined the company in the United States and moved to New Zealand in early 2019 following his promotion to Chief Operating Officer.

An electrical engineer by trade, Yoram was with Motorola Solutions for 31 years, in director-level roles in Latin and North America with responsibility for customer operations, technical support and marketing, sales engineering and product management. In 2011, he was promoted to Vice President with responsibility for product and solution management and pre-sales engineering. From 2015-2018, Yoram worked for Harris Corporations as VP of Product Line Management in the Public Safety and Professional Communications division. Yoram holds an Electrical Engineering Degree from Tel Aviv University, Executive MBA from University of Miami Florida, and a PhD in Global Leadership and Risk Management from Lynn University Florida.

Yoram brings extensive experience in corporate governance, serving on multiple boards such as Tait International Limited and RFI Technology Solutions Ltd.

Director

Penny Hoogerwerf is the Chief Legal Officer for Tait Communications and heads our global legal, compliance, commercial and risk functions at Tait.

Penny holds a BA LLB from the University of New South Wales, Sydney and has 25 years’ experience as a corporate lawyer spanning the UK, Australia and New Zealand. More than half of that time has been spent working in-house with large corporates across a range of sectors. Penny is an expert in corporate governance, risk management and infrastructure projects and has served as a professional director on a range of Boards in Australia and New Zealand since 2010.

Board Member

David Havercroft joined the TSNZ Board of Directors with over 35 years' experience in the technology industry, David brings valuable skills, knowledge, and expertise to the team.  

Previously, David held several executive positions at Spark NZ including Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technology Officer before departing in 2017. David has also held managerial and executive positions at IBM Asia Pacific, Cable & Wireless, and BT Group.  

David is a crucial member of our board, with extensive experience in rolling out networks and driving innovative connectivity solutions, he provides the necessary skills to deliver impactful results.