National Executive

Plastics New Zealand is governed by an elected National Executive which sets the direction for the association. The Executive includes a broad representation of Members from across New Zealand and the plastics industry.

Current National Executive

Abbie Watson: (National President) Director at Wadding Solutions with an operational background integrating ISO and HACCP into the business. I am passionate about environmental and sustainability issues, and being an advocate for the plastics industry. I thrive on building networks and developing relationships within the industry with the aim of making positive, long term change. Current National President President.

Bob Gutsell: (Vice President) Buisness Unit Managar at Alto Packaging (PACT Group) based in the Waikato. An experienced collaborative leader with international multi-industry experience in Programme/Project, Innovation, Operations, and Quality Management.
Current National Vice President.

Murray Knight: (Immediate Past President) 40+ years in the Plastics Industry. One of the founders of Polymers International Ltd (PIL) in 1986 and ran their SI Branch. Served 20 years on the SI Branch Committee and is a previous SI Branch President and is a Life Member of the SI Branch. In 2015 moved to Auckland and  became Managing Director and majority shareholder of PIL. Life Member of Plastics New Zealand. Current Immediate Past President of Plastics New Zealand. 

Mark Field: Currently Chief Executive Officer for an Extrusion Business in Christchurch.
Previous National President, South Island Branch President, and current Member of the South Island Branch Executive.
Life Member of Plastics New Zealand.


Tony Miller: 30+ years experience in the Plastics Industry mostly as GM and CEO of several flexible packaging and injection moulding businesses. He has previously served on the ITO board, Industrial Relations Working Group, Packaging Council and served on the National Executive for 16+ years. Life Member of Plastics New Zealand. Current Training Committee Chairperson.

Murray Jorgensen: 30+ years in Manufacturing with Plastics being a more recent addition. Early career as a Toolmaker and Product Development Engineer, progressing into Management within various Manufacturing Industries. The experiences in these varied companies and proved valuable moving into the Plastics Manufacturing industry. Moved to PPL 4 years ago as Operation Manager helping build PPL and the Team, looking forward to the exciting future “and challenges” the industry has to offer. Is the current Waikato Branch President.

Brian Storie: 25+ years’ experience  as Raw Material Supplier to the NZ Plastics Industry, after many years in the shipping / logistics industries. Last 15 years with Interplas Agencies as Product Manager. Sit on the Governance Board of PIPA NZ as 1 of the 2 supplier representatives. On PNZ National Executive as Corporate Suppliers Representative.

 Kevin Jones: 30+ years in the plastic industry, from the ground floor to roles in various areas of the business including production management with a primary focus since 2000 on business development, design, technical project. Key account management for Axiam Ltd now including Axiam’s metals division.

Mark Mischefski: General Manager for Expol Ltd, a national manufacturer of Expanded Polystyrene. Completed a Masters of Business Administration in 2010. Current member of the Auckland Branch committee and current Chairman of the Expanded Polystyrene Sector (EPS) Group.

Mike Draper: Business Unit Manager at Talbot Advanced Technologies and current South Island Branch President. Mike has experience in manufacturing and supply chain in New Zealand and Europe. Mike moved from fast moving consumer goods to the plastic industry in 2014.

Richard Latta: Managing Director for an Extrusion Business in Wellington.
Current Branch President of the Wellington Branch.

 Robert Michael: 30+ years in plastics. 20+ years in management. I have served on the board of a PTE for 3 years and previous experience on the National Executive and President of Auckland Branch. My current position is MD of a custom moulding business.

 Ally Hopwood: Is the Sustainability Manager at Pharmapac Ltd, a manufacturing company specialising in pharmaceutical, medical, nutritional and personal care packaging utilising injection, injection stretch blow molding and extrusion blow molding. Chairperson of the Environmental Committee. 

 Alan Shore: 20+ years in in plastics resin supply. Currently Country Managarer for Ravago NZ Ltd, a raw material supplier to the Plastics Pipe Industry.
Current Chairperson of PIPA NZ.

Sam Dennis: 
Chemiplas' Polymer Business Manager, MSC in Science, and current Auckland Branch President. With experience in both the technical and commercial aspects of the polymer industry, Sam is dedicated to fostering innovation and driving sustainable solutions.

Simon Yandall: Currently working at TCL Hunt as a business manager polymers. With 30+ years of experience in the Chemical and Plastics industry in NZ, I have had the privilege of witnessing the growth and evolution of the sector. Throughout my career, I have developed a profound interest in sustainability within the industry. Recognizing the environmental challenges we face, I'm driven to make a significant impact at a national level and look forward to working on strategic initiatives shaping the future for the industry.

Amber Maisey: Chief Operating Officer of the Maisey Group, a family business with a storied 75-year history. Since its inception in 1946, the Maisey Group has spearheaded ventures across multiple industries spanning both domestic and international realms. Catering to both retail and wholesale sectors, this multifaceted and dynamic conglomerate thrives on unwavering innovation. Amber’s supervision extends over Elite Polymers and IP Plastics, strategically located in Hamilton and Auckland. These diverse manufacturing entities are involved in blowmoulding, extrusion, and injection moulding. A resolute advocate for sustainability and recycling, my fervour propels her pursuit of product stewardship, paving the way for Aotearoa’s transformation towards a circular economy, where waste and resources bear enhanced social and economic significance.

Industrial Relations Chairperson: Vacant