The Commission's Chief Executive Lois Hutchinson is supported on the Executive Management Team by two general managers responsible for the investigation and business services teams.
Lois Hutchinson
Chief Executive
Lois has 30 years of senior management experience in the state sector. Lois joined the Commission as Chief Executive after executive management roles in censorship and health. Lois was with the Video Recordings Authority for six years before being appointed Deputy Chief Censor at the then new Office of Film & Literature Classification Office, which she helped to establish. Lois held the position of Deputy Chief Censor for 5 years before taking up the position of Group Manager, Acute Surgical Services, then General Manager, Hospital Services at Mid Central District Health Board. Promoting social justice and reducing public harms are the common threads to her career. Lois has a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy & psychology, a Master’s degree in public policy from Victoria University of Wellington and a Master of Science in organisational performance from Cranfield University, UK. Lois is also a trained nurse specialising in oncology & haematology care. Lois leads the organisation to support the Commissioners in the delivery of their statutory purpose, which is to help improve transport safety.
Harald Hendel
Chief Investigator of Accidents, General Manager Investigation Services
Harald leads the Commission’s investigation team and its thorough investigation work towards improvements in transport safety. He has more than 28 years of international experience in transport safety, accident investigation, management, aircraft engineering and flight operations. Prior to joining the Commission, he managed large legal and forensic data teams for corporate compliance risk investigations. He pioneered data analysis for improved aircraft and operational safety, derived from millions of airline flight recordings and other operational data. With qualifications in avionics, engine maintenance, aircraft systems engineering, he led teams across Europe, India and America for investigations and complex jet aircraft manufacturing projects. Harald holds a master’s degree in Industrial Technology from Massey University, New Zealand. He has previously maintained a pilot’s license and enjoys recreational boating.
Cathryn Bridge
General Counsel, General Manager Business Services
Cathryn is General Counsel to the Commission and leads the legal, finance, human resources, governance and risk functions. Cathryn Bridge has more than twenty years of public management experience in corporate, operational, policy, legal and project roles in Crown Entities and public sector departments. She has an Executive Master's of Public Administration from the Australia and NZ School of Government, and an LLB and BA from Victoria University of Wellington.