NZME appoints Maria O’Halloran as GM Canterbury

NZME has appointed well-known local business leader Maria O’Halloran as general manager Canterbury.

In her new role, O’Halloran will lead NZME’s growth across the region, spanning its media platforms, commercial partnerships and community presence.

O’Halloran had served as chief executive at Christchurch department store Ballantynes for more than a decade. Throughout her tenure, she steered the business through the aftermath of the Christchurch earthquakes, the Covid-19 pandemic and a period of significant expansion.

Joining from Nutrient Rescue as CEO, O’Halloran also brought extensive leadership experience across consumer-focused businesses. Alongside her executive career, she is chair of BrainTree Wellness Centre, supporting people living with neurological conditions across Canterbury, and an associate director of Venues Ōtautahi, New Zealand’s largest venue, events and culinary services management company.

Strategic focus on Canterbury

Michael Boggs, NZME chief executive, says O’Halloran’s appointment reflects NZME’s strategic focus on Canterbury as a priority growth region.

“Canterbury is one of New Zealand’s great growth stories and it’s a market we are absolutely committed to.

“We have many strong brands and audiences in the region including NZ Herald, Newstalk ZB, The Hits, OneRoof and others. We see significant opportunity to grow across all our platforms, strengthen our relationships with businesses, agencies and communities throughout Canterbury, as well as investing in more local journalism to extend our news coverage in the region.

“Bringing someone of Maria’s calibre into this role sends a clear signal about how seriously we take our commitment to this region,” Boggs adds.

For customers and communities

Renata Hayward, NZME chief commercial officer – direct, says: “Maria is deeply connected across Canterbury, she’s highly regarded across the business community and has a track record of building and growing customer-focused businesses.

“She joins an exceptional Christchurch-based team already doing fantastic work, and her community connections and commercial experience will complement their strengths perfectly. Together they will be a formidable force for growth in the region.”

O’Halloran says: “I am delighted to be joining NZME and look forward to contributing to an organisation with such strong reach, influence and connection across New Zealand.

“This role presents an exciting opportunity to combine my passion for Canterbury with the chance to contribute more broadly across the organisation. I’m looking forward to working alongside the talented NZME team to strengthen relationships with our customers and communities, and to help build on the success of some of New Zealand’s most trusted and recognised media brands.”

O’Halloran will start in her new role on September 28.