New airline chief ‘amazed’ by offer

Press, 5 December 1981, Page 2

New airline chief ‘amazed’ by offer

PA Tauranga A Tauranga businessman, Mr R. A. Owens, who was appointed chairman of Air New Zealand .yesterday said that he was amazed when he received a call yesterday morning from the Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon) offering him the job. Mr Owens said, “I had an inkling last night that it might come but nevertheless it was a staggering surprise when Mr Muldoon made his call.” Mr Owens succeeds Mr C. W. Mace, who had earlier advised the Government that he did not wish to serve for another term in the job. For Mr Owens, the proposition of taking over what is one of New Zealand’s biggest commercial enterprises holds no fears. He said, “When the Prime Minister put the proposition to me I had no hesitation in accepting. It will certainly be my greatest challenge. I am certainly not afraid of that challenge: to me it represents a wonderful opportunity.” Mr Owens said that he had not yet been involved in a commercial failure and that he did not intend to let Air New Zealand be his first. At times in the past he had been a severe critic of Air New Zealand. But he had

also criticised many other aspects of business and political life in New Zealand. Mr Owens said, “The important thing is that I am now prepared to get stuck in and do something about it: a critic who is not prepared to do that is useless. “I hope that my knowledge of transport and, equally important, my knowledge of people, will enable me to make a substantial contribution to the future good of Air New Zealand from my new position. “I have been working with people, with commerce, and with unions for the, past 30 years and it is my view that

they, all have a place in the sun." Mr Owens said that he knew Air New Zealand's new chief executive, Mr N. M. T. Geary, by . “reputation” and that he looked forward to working with him. Earlier this year Mr Owens, aged 60, announced that he was relinquishing control of his own transport, stevedoring, and shipping business to go into semiretirement. He said yesterday that he was not sure when his new appointment would become effective. “I got such a surprise when the Prime Minister rang that I forgot to askhim that question, but it could be almost immediately.” Mr Muldoon said that Mr Owens had a long record of service to the transport industry and the community and that he would bring to the position the vigour and energy he has displayed in his many , interests in the Bay of Plenty. Mr Owens is believed to have been Mr Muldoon’s personal nominee for the job. The nomination was accepted by the National Party’s caucus on Thursday. Further appointments to Air New Zealand’s board are expected to be announced next week.