Andy Wotton, an experienced senior executive, has been appointed as the Chief Operating Officer of Kono, a word leading Māori-family owned food and beverage business which is part of Wakatū Incorporation.
‘We’re very pleased to have someone of Andy’s calibre to lead the Kono team. His background and experience means he is well-placed to help deliver on the Kono mission to deliver value, by nurturing people and environment to create beautiful products from Aotearoa that the world wants.’ - Paul Morgan, Kono board Chair.
Andy has been a partner at PwC, a large advisory firm, and since 2016 has been working with a range of leaders and leadership teams as an executive coach. In this capacity he has previously supported the Wakatū senior leadership team and the Kono senior management team.
‘It is a privilege to be appointed into a leadership role within Kono. It’s a diverse and unique role with a renowned sense of purpose and deeply-held values that drives our decision making,’ – Andy Wotton.
‘I’ve had a range of management and governance roles with businesses in aviation, farming, recycling and waste reduction, on-line retail and nutraceuticals. This experience gives me insights to the options available to help manage the complexity of the business environment that Kono operates in.’
The Kono Chief operating officer is a new role, and will oversee all Kono operations and performance. The role will be part of the senior leadership team for Wakatū Group and will report to Wakatū CEO, Kerensa Johnston.
Wooton has been the interim COO since August 2021, following the departure of former Kono CEO, Rachel Taulelei.
‘I’m also pleased to announce that Meg Matthews (Ngāi Tahu) will be joining the Kono board as a new director. Her background and experience across marketing, finance, organisational strategy and human resources, along with her understanding of regional economic development will work well with the skills and experience of the current Kono directors,’ – Paul Morgan.
Meg’s current governance roles include Chair of the Cawthron Institute and Nelson Regional Development Agency, and a director on the TVNZ board. She has been Chief Executive of World of Wearable Art and has held various management positions at Air New Zealand.
Meg Matthews joins Paul Morgan, James Wheeler, Johnny McGregor, Waari Ward-Holmes and Bob Shore on the Kono board.
For further information please contact Felicity Connell, Mātanga Kōrero (Communications Specialist) Wakatū Incorporation on +64 21 194 8033 or felicity.connell@wakatu.org
Notes for editors
Kono is the food and beverage business of Wakatū Incorporation. Kono produces and sells wine, beer, cider, seafood, apples, pears, hops, kiwifruit, and fruit bars throughout Aotearoa and internationally. Kono brands include Tohu, Kono Wines, Tutū cider, Hop Federation beer, Annies fruit bars, Kono mussels, Kiwa oysters, and Yellow Brick Road.
Based in Whakatū (Nelson), Wakatū has approximately 4,000 shareholders who descend from the traditional Māori land owners of the Whakatū, Moteuka and Mohua regions – Te Tauihu, the top of the South Island.