Mr Reid, a qualified Chartered Accountant, is currently General Manager, Business Services at the Hutt City Council. He will take up the position at RACE at the beginning of September.

Prior to his current role, he was Assistant Auditor-General, Corporate Services in The Office of the Controller and Auditor-General for two years, and, before this, Director of Corporate Services at Te Papa for two and a half years and its Chief Financial Officer for four and a half years.

Douglas Duncan, RACE Chairman, announced the appointment today: “We are delighted that Matthew has accepted this position. His previous roles have included responsibility for finance, human resources, information technology, communications and marketing; all the attributes we were looking for in a chief executive for RACE.”

“We were also attracted to the fact that he was closely involved in the merging and rebuilding of the corporate services functions in Audit New Zealand and The Office of the Auditor-General, and that he has a passion for and some knowledge of the racing industry.”

Mr Reid will be based in Wellington but will divide his time between the other RACE group venues. “I’m hugely excited by the opportunities this role presents. I was attracted by the opportunity to make a difference and my passion for the industry.”

Mr Reid has been a part owner in a number of racehorses and has attended local meetings for many years. He has also attended three of the last five Melbourne Cups.

“I have wanted to be involved in the New Zealand racing industry for some time and my experience, I believe, will translate well to the needs of the industry.”