Christopher Darcy Read

Chris is an experienced and successful professional with a strong mix of tertiary training, governance, leadership, airport project, operational and readiness management. He operates through his company, Airport Management Consultants Ltd (AMCL). His career has spanned accountancy, ownership of a significant motor industry conglomerate and for 20 years leadership of the dynamic and complex environment of the fourth largest and highest growth airport in New Zealand, along with two associated local aerodromes. 

Currently his role as an airport and aviation specialist in New Zealand and Australia includes project management (current and stranded projects), Civil Aviation Authority compliance including Aeronautical studies, business evaluation, strategic planning, master planning, business and retail plans, annual operational plans, financial and capex budgets and training. He also advises Human Resource (HR) companies on ‘the right fit’ for key aviation positions as well as evaluation of company staffing structure. He has given a wide range of advice to over fifteen airports around New Zealand and internationally to several Pacific Islands, Bahrain, Mildura Airport (Australia) and also the NASA Columbia Scientific Balloon Mission Launch Program at Wanaka Airport.

Chris attended King’s High School from 1961 to 1966. In his time at King's Chris gained School Certificate, University Entrance and Higher School Certificate. He was on the organising committee of the Camera Club.

On leaving King’s Chris attended the University of Otago where he graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce Degree. Later his education continued at Massey University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Aviation Degree majoring in Airport Planning and Operations. This led to a Post Grad Diploma in Aviation majoring in Airport Operational Management. He also holds a Pilot’s License.

Chris was a member of the New Zealand Institute of Accountants and was a Registered Chartered Accountant for 45 years. For 35 years he was a member of the New Zealand Institute of Management. He was made an Associate Fellow of the Institute.

The Civil Aviation Authority recognised his work by granting him Senior Person status. He is a Life Member of the New Zealand Airports Association.

As a member of the Aviation Tourism and Travel Training Organisation Chris was running Service IQ courses. These courses offer top of the line training in the Aviation, Travel and Tourism sectors. He was a Registered National Standards Training Officer and Assessor for these courses which produce well qualified, world-class service industry workers.

Chris has been very successful in his endeavours over the years. From 1970 until 1992 he was a Chartered Accountant and the principal and owner of a motor industry and financial group of Companies. Then from 1992 until 2012 he was the General Manager and Chief Executive of the Queenstown Airport Corporation Ltd. This led to him being the Director of Airport Management Consultants Ltd (AMCL) from 2012 until 2024. During the period from 2017 to 2023 he was Airport Manager under contract to the New Zealand Ministry of Transport of the Milford Sound Airport.

There are a number of achievements that Chris has made since he has been involved with airports. He won awards for the New Zealand Airports of the Year, Project of the Year and Training Organisation of the year. With Queenstown Airport he has maintained the status of the highest growth airport in Australasia. He was involved with the establishment of the Board of New Zealand Airports where he has been an Executive Member and Life Member. He also received a NASA Achievement Award for the Inaugural Balloon Mission at Wanaka, New Zealand.