Auckland, New Zealand, October 2025 — Mercury NZ, one of New Zealand’s leading renewable energy and telecommunications companies, has announced the appointment of Michele Mauger as its new Chief People Officer, effective in the first quarter of 2026. With over 35 years of HR leadership experience, including nearly two decades in executive roles, Michele brings exceptional expertise in people strategy, cultural transformation, and organizational leadership to Mercury.
Speaking on the appointment, Stewart Hamilton, Chief Executive of Mercury, said he is delighted to welcome Michele to the Mercury whānau, highlighting her outstanding track record and deep understanding of large-scale, people-centered transformation. Originally from Aotearoa, Michele returns home from Australia to take up this important leadership role.
Michele joins Mercury from Vocus, where she currently serves as Chief People Officer, driving people, culture, and capability strategies across the organization. Previously, she served as Chief People Officer at Cleanaway Waste Management, leading HR transformation initiatives to support growth and employee engagement across Australia’s largest waste management company.
Before that, Michele held the role of Chief People & Corporate Affairs Officer at Incitec Pivot Limited, where she integrated corporate affairs and people strategy to support the company’s international business operations. Earlier in her career, she was Executive Director – People at Metro Trains Melbourne and Executive General Manager – People, Capability & Communication at Thiess, leading global people strategies across engineering and infrastructure operations.
Michele’s earlier leadership at Worley, Grocon, and House of Travel cemented her reputation as a transformative HR leader capable of aligning business strategy with people excellence. Her international exposure across sectors — including construction, mining, energy, and telecommunications — provides Mercury with a strong foundation for its ongoing commitment to innovation, sustainability, and people development.
About Mercury NZ
Mercury NZ is a future-focused organization at the forefront of New Zealand’s renewable energy transition. With a purpose of “taking care of tomorrow by connecting people and place today”, Mercury generates and supplies renewable electricity and telecommunications services to more Kiwis than any other provider. Driven by its values of kaitiakitanga (guardianship) and sustainability, Mercury is dedicated to creating a better future for its people, communities, and Aotearoa New Zealand.
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