Leading questions: Russell Stanners, chief executive, Vodafone

Russell Stanners has been Vodafone New Zealand's chief executive since early 2005, having joined the company three years prior as director of business markets.

In the past 18 months the mobile player has entered the fixed-line market with the purchase of internet service provider ihug.

How would you describe 2007 for Vodafone?

It was another great year. We've been really pleased with all we've achieved and very excited for the outlook in the industry and for Vodafone.

What was the company's greatest achievement?

Entering seriously the local consumer fixed-broadband and voice market. That's been a very big achievement and we're very proud of it.

And greatest disappointment?

The biggest disappointment for me was the All Blacks bundling out of the quarter final. It ruined my entire plans. I was going to be there for the whole month but when they bundled out it was: "See you later I'm going home to the kids."

I'd been given some tickets from Vodafone UK so they got given back. I said it would be far better for the English supporters to watch their team than me to sit there.

What will be the major challenges this year?

The big challenge is always to continue to deliver innovative, more valuable services to our customers and to delight them. That's what we're all about.

What was the most interesting business story of 2007?

The set of stories with the most impact has been about the collapse of the finance industry both locally and globally.

I think we're just feeling the effects of that and you'll see that ripple through the economy over time.