Jason Paris is stepping down as chief executive of One NZ after leading the telecommunications company for nearly eight years. He will be succeeded by the company’s current chief financial officer, Nick Judd, with the transition expected to take place over the coming months.
Paris, who joined Vodafone NZ in 2018 and oversaw its rebranding to One NZ in 2022 following its full acquisition by Infratil, described his tenure as a career highlight. “Leading One New Zealand has been the privilege of my career,” he said in a statement. Paris emphasized that although there is never an ideal moment to hand over leadership, the company’s strong performance and clear strategic direction make this the right time for change. He expressed confidence in Judd’s ability to guide One NZ into its next phase, calling him “an outstanding leader.”
Before assuming his current role, Judd held the CFO position at Tourism Holdings and spent more than 15 years at Air New Zealand, working in various strategic and growth roles both domestically and internationally.
Under Paris’ leadership, One NZ became the first in New Zealand to introduce satellite-to-mobile services through a partnership with Elon Musk’s Starlink, and also advanced initiatives focusing on artificial intelligence. The company reported an increase in operating earnings to $604 million for the fiscal year 2026, up from $598 million the previous year, making it the most profitable entity within the Infratil group, ahead of CDC Data Centres. Profit growth is also expected to continue into fiscal 2027.
Paris’ departure comes amid broader leadership shifts in New Zealand’s telecommunications sector. Rival company Spark is undergoing its own changes, with chairwoman Justine Smyth entering her final term and speculation mounting regarding the appointment of a new chief executive. Industry observers note this could mark a natural point for leadership transition at Spark, where chief executive Jolie Hodson has held senior roles since 2013 and led the company as CEO for over seven years.
Paris, 51, is also known for his involvement outside the telecommunications industry, including his position as a director of Ngāi Tahu Holdings and his long-standing support as a fan of the Warriors rugby league team. Both Paris and Judd were unavailable for interview at the time of the announcement. A company spokeswoman confirmed that the details and timing of the leadership handover are still being finalized.