Katherine Rich - CEO, Business NZ
My first “job” was the school holidays photocopying journal articles in a Ministry of Agriculture’ science library. I was 12 and the youth wage was about $1.80 an hour. I remember the feeling of pride receiving my first pay slip and having to have explained what the disappointing deduction called “tax” was.
I joined as part of the MAF graduate programme. I was a policy analyst in the commercial section of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries – then known as MAF Technology.
Being part of a government graduate programme gave me that all important first foot on the career ladder, so I was grateful for the opportunity. In the late 1980s the New Zealand economy was not doing well. The effects of the Stock Market Crash were still being felt, and graduates were struggling to get jobs.
Both my parents were public servants, so I was brought up to believe that working in the public service was an honourable, purposeful thing to do. I liked the opportunity to contribute to public good and commercial outcomes. That blend has been the constant in every role since.
I learned that good policy unlocks opportunities — and the detail matters enormously.
When I left Parliament and became CEO of the New Zealand Food & Grocery Council. I was 41.
The goal has never been to be a CEO per se. The goal has always been to work on interesting, purposeful things.
It was a circuitous route. I held five roles prior. Mainly in agribusiness, marketing, policy and advocacy: MAF, FORST, Alliance Textiles, Silverstream East Friesian and NZ Parliament.
I love being an advocate and representing the views of members to contribute to good public policy. I believe business is a force for good — creating opportunity, resilience, and prosperity.
When I was a little girI growing up I did not know of even one woman CEO. Now there are many within the BusinessNZ membership, private and public sector. It's a wonderful change to witness in a generation and we will see even greater progress in the decades to come.
“Do what you feel in your heart to be right – for you’ll be criticized anyway. You’ll be damned if you do, damned if you don’t.” This is my favourite quote from Eleanor Roosevelt; I included in my Maiden Speech in Parliament in 1999 and I’d give it as advice to myself, or indeed anyone, in the first day as CEO.
Aim high. Persevere. Focus on purpose, service and contribution. Leadership follows from that, as does the title.
