New Chief Executive Officer for Haumaru Housing
The Haumaru Housing Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Olivia Poulsen as Chief Executive.
With extensive experience that aligns closely with Haumaru’s vision for the future, Ms Poulsen has more than 20 years in senior leadership roles across the property, infrastructure and investment sectors.
Commenting on the appointment, Haumaru Chair Adrienne Young-Cooper said: “The Board was impressed by the calibre of applicants for the Chief Executive role. At a time when Haumaru Housing is growing to meet the increasing need for affordable, secure homes for older people across Auckland, we were looking for a leader who could guide the organisation through this next exciting phase of development.”
Most recently, Ms Poulsen served as Chief Executive of Tupu Angitu, the commercial entity of the Lake Taupō Forest Trust, where she led the development of a diversified investment portfolio valued at more than $500 million across property, infrastructure, tourism and energy. Prior to that, she was Executive General Manager Property at KiwiRail, overseeing a nationwide property portfolio and leading a team of 45 people.
She is excited to join an organisation that combines a strong social purpose with the ambition to grow and is passionate about the role that quality infrastructure and safe, secure housing play in helping communities thrive – values that strongly reflect Haumaru Housing’s purpose.
Ms Poulsen succeeds Gillian Schweizer who was Haumaru Chief Executive from 2022-2025. Interim CEO David Kennedy will continue to support a smooth handover until the end of March.
Adrienne Young-Cooper says: “We look forward to Olivia’s leadership as we continue working to support older people into affordable rental homes across the communities we serve.”
Ms Poulsen took up her new role on 16 March 2026 and was formally welcomed by the Board and Haumaru staff, along with representatives from Haumaru’s partners The Selwyn Foundation and Auckland Council, at a special mihi whakatau held at Tātai Hono Marae in Grafton.
New Haumaru Housing Chief Executive Olivia Poulsen is pictured (centre) at the mihi whakatau with members of the Haumaru Housing Board (from left): Stephen Titter, Dr Sue Watson, Chair Adrienne Young-Cooper and Jason Rogers.