Debbie Birch

Senior executive with 30+ years of experience in commercial, financial and investment sectors managing global investment portfolios across Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

Debbie Birch was appointed a director of Westpac New Zealand Limited on 18 April 2024. She is a member of the Board Audit Committee and the Board People and Remuneration Committee. Debbie has been a professional director and trustee for more than 10 years across both listed and unlisted NZ companies, as well as for a number of māori/iwi commercial entities. She has deep experience in capital markets, funds management and financial services with an executive career that spans more than 20 years in Asia and Australasia working for large global banks and financial institutions. Debbie is currently a director and chair of WMS Group Holdings (GP) Limited, Sunny Financial Services Limited and a director of Te Pūia Tāpapa GP Limited, Port of Napier Limited, Napier Port Holdings Limited, Hawke's Bay Regional Investment Company Limited, West Coast Bulk Logistics Limited, Westland Mineral Sands Co Limited, WMS Group (HQ) Limited, Greymouth Port Co. Limited, Buller Port Co. Limited and WMS Shipping Co. Limited. Debbie's previous governance experience includes directorships with various Crown entities including Kordia, NZ Growth Capital Partners, Crown Irrigation Investments Limited, Tourism Holdings Limited, Eastland Group Limited, Miraka and a range of māori/iwi commercial entities and charitable trusts. She studied Chemistry at Victoria University and completed a postgraduate certificate in Investment Analysis at Otago University. She is a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors and an Accredited Investment Fiduciary. Debbie's iwi affiliations are to Ngati Tūwharetoa, Ngati Raukawa ki te Tonga, Ngati Hauiti, Ngati Apa and Ngati Rangi.