One NZ turns to its finance chief: Nick Judd named CEO as Jason Paris departs

One New Zealand has a new leader coming through its own ranks. The telco has named chief financial officer Nick Judd as its next chief executive, stepping up as Jason Paris departs after nearly eight years in the role. The move was announced on 1 July 2026.

According to the company, Paris told staff at One NZ’s annual conference in Auckland that the timing felt right. “There’s never a perfect time to hand over the reins, but after nearly eight years, with the business performing strongly and our strategy firmly in place, this feels like the right time,” he said in reports of the announcement. Paris said he plans to take a break before his next move, adding: “I don’t know exactly what that’ll be yet, but I know it’ll be exciting.” Neither Paris nor the company has named a next destination for him.

Reports indicate Paris is now on leave, with his official last day expected within roughly two months and the handover taking place over the coming months. One NZ said it is working through the timeline and transition plans.

Judd is a familiar figure inside the business. He joined One NZ as chief financial officer in early 2024, having been appointed to that role in late 2023. Before that he spent about three years as CFO of Tourism Holdings, and more than 15 years at Air New Zealand across strategy, sales and growth roles in New Zealand and overseas, finishing there as chief strategy, networks and alliances officer. He is a chartered accountant.

Board chair Phillippa Harford framed the appointment as a natural fit. She described Judd as “a well-rounded executive with extensive experience across strategy, operations, sales, commercial and finance,” and said the board is confident he has the qualities to guide the company through its next phase. Promoting from within suggests continuity rather than a reset: Judd already knows the balance sheet, the strategy and the sector, and steps in without the settling-in period an external hire would need.

Paris leaves behind a tenure that reshaped the company. Under his leadership the business separated from Vodafone Group ownership and rebranded from Vodafone to One New Zealand in 2022, a change that gave the telco a distinctly local identity. According to the company, it also launched what it describes as the world’s first nationwide satellite-to-mobile service, and set out to become one of the world’s most AI-enabled telecommunications companies. Harford credited Paris with transforming One NZ into a company recognised for innovation, customer focus and long-term value creation, alongside strong shareholder returns.

Paris was warm about both the company and his successor. “Leading One New Zealand has been the privilege of my career,” he said, describing the people there as extraordinary. He also welcomed the board’s choice, calling Judd an outstanding leader.

For Judd, the job is a step up rather than a leap into the unknown. He arrived from tourism and aviation into telecommunications less than three years ago, drawn by the transformation the company was going through, and now inherits the strategy he helped shape as finance chief. The questions ahead are familiar ones for the sector: keeping the satellite and AI ambitions on track, holding customer trust, and turning a strong balance sheet into steady returns. One NZ said the transition will play out over the coming months, giving Judd time to settle in before Paris steps away for good.