Mercury NZ has made a strategic play for talent leadership. The renewable energy giant announced Michele Mauger as its new Chief People Officer, set to join the organisation in early 2026.
The appointment brings 35 years of people management expertise back to New Zealand shores. Mauger currently serves as Chief People Officer at Melbourne-based telecommunications provider Vocus.
She’s a Kiwi coming home. The executive will relocate from Australia to take up the role with Mercury, one of the nation’s largest electricity generators and retailers.
Executive Track Record Spans Multiple Industries
Michele Mauger’s career reads like a who’s who of Australia’s corporate landscape. Her executive resume includes top-tier positions across sectors rarely seen in a single trajectory.
Michele Mauger, Chief People Officer, Mercury NZ
Key career highlights include:
- Chief People Officer at Vocus (current role)
- Chief People Officer at Cleanaway
- Executive People leadership roles at Incitec Pivot
- Senior positions at Metro Trains Melbourne
- Leadership roles at Thiess Mining Services
- Executive positions at Worley Parsons
This diversity gives her a unique perspective on workforce transformation. She’s navigated everything from mining operations to metropolitan transport systems.
The experience spans nearly two decades in executive leadership positions. That’s almost 20 years of making high-stakes people decisions at the C-suite level.
CEO Signals Cultural Transformation Ahead
Mercury Chief Executive Stew Hamilton didn’t hide his enthusiasm about the hire. He described the appointment as securing “someone of Michele’s calibre.”
“Michele has extensive experience leading strategic People initiatives, including all aspects of the employee lifecycle, talent development, large-scale business transformation programmes and much more,” Hamilton stated in the official announcement.
His comments hint at ambitious plans. The focus isn’t just maintaining the status quo.
“Her leadership will be highly valuable as we focus on building a workforce of the future, one that reflects who we are today, where we want to go, and the culture that will get us there,” Hamilton added.
That language suggests Mercury is gearing up for significant organisational change. The renewable energy sector in New Zealand is evolving rapidly, and workforce strategy needs to keep pace.
Mercury NZ: Powering the Nation with 100% Renewable Energy
To understand the scale of Mauger’s new challenge, consider Mercury’s footprint. The company generates more than 15% of New Zealand’s electricity supply.
All of it comes from renewable sources. Zero emissions. Zero fossil fuels.
The generation portfolio includes:
- Nine hydro stations on the Waikato River
- Five geothermal plants in the central North Island
- Multiple wind farms including New Zealand’s largest
- Recent acquisition of five wind farms from Tilt Renewables
The company serves approximately one in five New Zealand homes and businesses. That’s substantial market penetration in a country of five million people.
Mercury’s market capitalisation sits at approximately NZD 5.64 billion. Revenue for the trailing 12 months ending June 2025 reached NZD 2.06 billion.
Recent financial results showed strong momentum. Revenue increased 21% compared to the prior period, while net profit after tax rose 29%.
The company is also expanding beyond traditional utilities. It now offers electricity, gas, broadband and mobile services under various brands including the pre-pay product GLOBUG. 
Mercury NZ Limited
Smooth Transition Planned from Outgoing CPO
Michele Mauger’s appointment follows the announced departure of current Chief People Officer Fiona Smith. Smith is stepping down in February 2026 to pursue new opportunities.
The timing allows for a structured handover. Mercury confirmed that a robust transition process will occur between the two executives.
This measured approach reflects the strategic importance of the role. People leadership at a company with thousands of employees across multiple locations demands careful succession planning.
Smith’s tenure saw Mercury through significant changes, including the 2022 acquisition of Trustpower’s retail business and customer base.
New Zealand Energy Sector Faces Workforce Challenges
The appointment comes at a critical time for New Zealand’s energy sector. The country is pushing hard toward its carbon neutrality targets.
That creates both opportunity and pressure. Companies need people who can navigate rapid technological change while maintaining operational excellence.
The renewable energy workforce in New Zealand is ageing. Attracting younger talent with the right technical skills remains a persistent challenge across the industry.
Mercury competes with other major generators like Contact Energy, Meridian Energy and Genesis Energy for top talent.
Digital transformation adds another layer of complexity. Smart grids, battery storage, and customer experience platforms all require new skill sets.
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What This Means for Mercury’s Strategic Direction
Hiring a Chief People Officer with transformation experience signals intent. Mercury isn’t just filling a vacancy; it’s making a statement about where the company is headed.
The reference to “building a workforce of the future” suggests several possible initiatives. These might include upskilling programs, diversity targets, flexible working arrangements, or succession planning for technical roles.
Large-scale business transformation programmes, mentioned in Mauger’s experience, typically involve restructuring, technology implementation, or cultural change initiatives.
Her background in organisations undergoing significant shifts, from mining to transport to utilities, gives her a playbook for managing change.
The appointment reinforces Mercury’s position as a forward-thinking employer in New Zealand’s energy sector. Attracting a senior executive from Australia demonstrates the company’s pulling power.
Michele Mauger steps into the role in Q1 2026. The clock is ticking on handover preparations and strategic planning for Mercury NZ’s next chapter in renewable energy leadership.
