Martin Aircraft Company, the Christchurch firm behind the Martin Jetpack, has appointed Jon Mayson as its new board chair.

Mayson is best known for his tenure as Port of Tauranga CEO from 1997 to 2005, when the port grew to be New Zealand’s biggest export port. He also spent more than four years as chair of New Zealand Trade and Enterprise until 2012.

“The Martin Jetpack is such a great story of New Zealand innovation,” Mayson said.

He’ll be helping the company’s drive to offer the Martin Jetpack commercially.

Mason has held several directorships in recent years and is currently chairman at cargo handling firm C3, IT services company Fronde and Scales Corporation (formerly Polarcold Stores).

Martin Aircraft Company CEO Peter Coker acknowledged the contribution of outgoing Chair Jenny Morel, who has been Martin Aircraft Company’s chair since 2008. Morel is the founder and managing partner of No 8 Ventures and will remain as a director of Martin Aircraft Company.