Wilde to leave Trade NZ post after merger

Trade New Zealand chief executive Fran Wilde is to step down early next year as the organisation loses its independence.

Her departure is signalled in the annual report of the organisation, which is negotiating a merger with Industry New Zealand.

The merger, seen as a triumph for Economic Development Minister Jim Anderton, follows the amalgamation of Trade New Zealand's investment promotion agency Investment New Zealand with the investment team of Industry New Zealand.

A former Mayor of Wellington and Cabinet minister, Wilde became chief executive in April 1997.

The report shows that she was paid between $250,000 and $260,000 last year.

In the previous year she was paid between $240,000 and $250,000.