Sir John Anderson is retiring as the chairman of NZME's board.
Anderson, who led NZX-listed NZME through its demerger with APN News & Media, will step down from the board this Friday.
He will also step down from the board of T&G Global on December 14.
NZME, which owns the NZ Herald, is set to appoint a new chair in the coming days, it said in an announcement to the stock exchange.
Independent director Peter Cullinane, on behalf of the NZME board, thanked Anderson for his invaluable contribution to the company.
"Sir John has made a significant contribution over a long period to the growth of businesses in New Zealand. The chairman's extensive business and governance experience has been an asset to the company during NZME's first year as a listed company and all of us at NZME wish Sir John the very best for his retirement," Cullinane said.
NZME chief executive Michael Boggs said: "The NZME management team and I have benefited enormously from Sir John's wise counsel and steady hand during a period of substantial change in our first year as a listed company."
NZME's board will appoint a further independent director prior to Anderson's retirement.