Airport chief moves to Polynesian Spa

The former Rotorua Airport chief executive will soon be taking up a new position at Rotorua's Polynesian Spa.

It was announced earlier this week that George White was stepping down from his position at Rotorua Airport but it was announced this morning that Mr White would be taking over from the Polynesian Spa co-owner and managing director Martin Lobb.

Mr Lobb will remain a director of Polynesian Spa, a business that he and his family have been co-owners and operators of for over forty years, but will step down from day to day operations in order to pursue other business
interests and spend more time with his family.

Mr Lobb said he still had the same passion for Polynesian Spa but was pleased to have the opportunity to engage in private interests while the business continued to be well led and managed.

"We are delighted to have George on board,'' he said.

Polynesian Spa chairman Keith Gibson said he was delighted to get an executive of Mr White's calibre.

"[He] has a strong background in tourism and finance and who is well known in both the Rotorua and New Zealand tourism community.''

Mr White has been the chief executive of Rotorua International Airport for six years and will leave the airport on February 7 2013 and start his new role later that month.