Executive Team

Peter Reidy re-joined KiwiRail as Chief Executive in August 2022. He had previously held the same position from 2014 to 2018, before holding the role of CEO Fletcher Construction from 2018-2022.
Prior to KiwiRail, Peter was CEO of Downer New Zealand, and then held senior leadership roles with Downer Group in Australia and Singapore, including Board roles on the KeolisDowner Joint Venture operating Yarra Trams in Melbourne, and Gold Coast Light Rail. He has also held senior leadership roles with Todd Energy and Freightways New Zealand. More recently, Peter was Co-Chair of the NZ Government Construction Accord. Peter holds a Bachelor of Commerce from University of Auckland and has completed the CEO programme at Wharton University.

Alastair is currently the Chief Zero Harm Officer and has been with KiwiRail more than 30 years with extensive experience across all parts of the organisation both at an operational and delivery level.
His various roles have included shunter, locomotive engineer and trainer, and more recently he has been Christchurch Terminal Ops Manager and Head of Strategic Change for Zero Harm.
He has added to his rail knowledge with a Post-Graduate Diploma in Rail Safety and is completing a Masters in Transport Safety Management.

Jason is a senior finance executive with almost 30 years’ experience as a CFO and Senior Finance/Commercial leader. Most recently CFO at New Zealand Steel, Jason has significant operational, commercial and financial leadership exposure in strategic change programmes at Sealord, PGG Wrightson and Auckland International Airport. He also held senior roles at Fonterra during its formative years, including the inaugural Director Global Supply Chain role.

David oversees KiwiRail's strategic capital projects. David joined KiwiRail in 2007 when he began working on the Wellington Regional Rail Programme as Project Director. More recently, David held the roles of GGM Asset Management and Investment, and GM Network Performance. Before joining KiwiRail, he worked as a consultant in the transport infrastructure business, was Planning and Development head for Wellington International Airport and a Senior Manager in the strategy consulting team of Ernst and Young.

Andrew returned to KiwiRail in 2023, following a two-year secondment within the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. Andrew is a highly-experienced Human Resources leader with a track record in both large public and commercial organisations. Before joining KiwiRail in July 2014, he held senior and executive roles with Downer in Australia, all three District Health Boards in Auckland and the Public Service Association (PSA). Andrew brings a combination of senior executive level HR capability, an in-depth understanding of industrial relations, strong engagement skills with front-line engineering and customer service teams and experience in developing executive leadership in large organisations.

Vanessa Oakley joined KiwiRail in August 2023 as Chief General Counsel, Company Secretary and Property Officer. Vanessa brings extensive executive leadership experience in roles at Chorus NZ, the Accident Compensation Corporation and with global wealth management company FNZ, along with 11 years in various public sector and regulatory organisations in New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

Helen leads our collaboration with government agencies on transport policy, funding and investment frameworks.
She joined KiwiRail in 2014, working in senior finance, funding and strategy roles.
Prior to KiwiRail Helen worked as a consultant leading finance transformation programmes, after several years as Financial Controller for Wellington City Council.

Siva is KiwiRail’s Chief Operations Officer, overseeing all operational parts of the business including commercial revenue, freight logistics, networks infrastructure, engineering, and rolling stock asset services, areas which account for around 3000 of KiwiRail’s staff. Prior to that he was the Executive General Manager Operations, overseeing the Freight Logistics, Networks Infrastructure, and Engineering business groups.
Siva joined KiwiRail in 2015 and has worked in various leadership roles, including General Manager Operations – Upper North Island and North Island Networks Services Manager. Before moving to KiwiRail Siva had more than 15 years in the roading and construction industries both as a consultant and as a contractor.

David Warburton is the iReX Programme Director which includes building two new ships and constructing new ferry terminals in Wellington and Picton. David took up the role of leading this large complex infrastructure project in Q4 2022. David’s prior roles have included Chief Executive of Auckland Transport, Chief Executive of Downer’s Consulting Division in Australasia, and Chief Executive of Whanganui District Council. David brings vast business transformation experience to the iReX job, as well as his engineering experience with a Doctorate in Environmental Engineering.

Adele Wilson joined KiwiRail in August 2023 in the new role of Chief Customer and Growth Officer. Adele is an experienced senior leader who for the past six years has been head of the export business unit for Fonterra Brands New Zealand. Prior to that, she was global General Counsel for Fonterra’s consumer and foodservice business and has held roles in top tier law firms in New Zealand and the United Kingdom.