Dean Heiford

Chief Executive | Marlborough Airport

Since 2006, Dean has served as the first and only CEO of Marlborough Airport Ltd, which is wholly owned by Marlborough District Council. He has overseen terminal expansions and two runway overlay projects, including the airport’s largest infrastructure investment earlier this year. In addition to running the only commercial airport to operate on NZDF land in the country, Dean is also Group Manager Council Operations for Marlborough. Here, he oversees a wide range of functions for the unitary Council – from democratic services and Māori partnerships to the arts, human resources, health and safety, and legal teams. Dean served on the NZ Airports Board from 2009 to 2023 and is a current trustee of the New Zealand Aviation Museum Trust.

Dean has been involved in Marlborough’s emergency response and recovery efforts since 1993, including time serving as alternate controller and currently as the group recovery manager under the Emergency Management Act. From the Christchurch and Kaikoura earthquakes to recent flood events and COVID-19 response, Dean has led the airport and Council teams in navigating uncertainty.

He holds a Master of Arts in Recreation and Leisure Studies from Victoria University of Wellington. Since 1996, Dean has served as a Rotarian with various leadership roles in the Blenheim community, where he lives with his partner and teenaged son.