Ben Lane

Ben Lane has spent more than 20 years working across tourism and commercial leadership roles in New Zealand and overseas, including more than a decade in the New Zealand tourism industry. He currently works in a senior international tourism leadership role while based in Auckland.

Through his work across New Zealand, Australia, the United States and Canada, Ben has seen both the enormous potential of New Zealand and the growing challenges the country faces, from housing affordability, infrastructure pressure, productivity and environmental decline through to the increasingly short-term nature of politics.

Ben works in Māngere and has spent much of his career connected to Auckland’s airport, tourism and transport industries. He believes New Zealand has the opportunity to become a more innovative, productive and sustainable economy, while protecting and restoring the natural environment and quality of life that make New Zealand one of the best places in the world to live and raise a family.

He was drawn to Opportunity because of its long-term thinking, evidence-based approach and willingness to tackle difficult issues constructively rather than ideologically. He believes politics should be more focused on listening, practical problem-solving and creating long-term opportunity for families and future generations.

Ben lives in Auckland with his wife and three children, and believes New Zealand should be building a future where the next generation can thrive.