Auckland International Airport chairman John Maasland has been voted out of the role by the new board and replaced by director Tony Frankham.
A director from the previous board, Keith Turner, was elected deputy chairman.
Maasland who held the position since October 2006 has resigned from the board,effective immediately.
The unanimous vote comes just a week after a major shakeup on the board with the election of Infratil chief executive Lloyd Morrison, Auckland City Council nominee Richard Didsbury and Manukau City nominee John Brabazon. Joan Withers is also on the board
The board's decision came a day before it was due to formally meet.
Maasland said he believed it was appropriate for the new board to make its own appointment to this position.
"With the election of three new board members and the resignation of Mike Smith, the company has quite a different board than the one I was appointed to lead," he said.
"I wish them all the best and will watch their progress with interest."
Frankham joined the board in 1994 and chairs the boards audit and risk committee. He is
also a member of New Zealand Experience and ProCare Health boards. Mr Frankham is a
former member of the Securities Commission and the Takeovers Panel and is a past president
and life member of the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants.
Turner was appointed a director of AIAL in 2004 and with 38 years experience in the New
Zealand electricity industry has participated in the widespread reform of the industry. Earlier this month he announced his intention to step down from his position as chief executive of Meridian
