Property tycoon and prominent political donor Chris Meehan has resigned as chief executive and chair of Winton Land amid an employment process.
By Anan Zaki of RNZ
In a statement to the NZX, Winton said Meehan quit with immediate effect during the final stages of a "board-led employment process" unrelated to Winton's performance or financial reporting.
It comes after last month Winton announced Meehan was taking leave as chief executive for health reasons.
Monday's NZX statement said Meehan would remain on the board as a director.
Winton's board elected existing independent director and former National MP Steven Joyce as chair.
"We thank Chris for the significant role he has played over nearly 20 years in building Winton," the board said.
"The board is confident that the senior leadership team will continue to successfully deliver on Winton's plans and performance," the NZX statement said.
Julian Cook, the company's executive director of retirement, would take on an expanded role in an interim capacity, it said.
"Our priority is to continue delivering for our customers and maintain business continuity."
While the nature of the ongoing employment process was not disclosed, Meehan's behaviour at Winton was previously referred to the Employment Relations Authority.
In 2025, the authorirty ordered Winton Capital to pay Meehan's former assistant $100,000 in a personal grievance case.
The case centred around a business-class seat on a long-haul flight.
"That was the worst f...ing flight I have ever f,,,ing taken, how the f,,, did I end up in seat 29 between the bar and the toilet?" Meehan said down the phone.
Meehan is also a prominent political donor, primarily to National, ACT and NZ First.
Between 2022 and 2025, Meehan gave $213,645.23 to the three parties in the coalition Government, with most of the money going to National.
Two projects linked to Meehan and Winton were given fast-track approval by the Government.
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