Kirk Hope is Chief Executive of BusinessNZ, New Zealand's leading business advocacy group, representing thousands of businesses of all sizes.

Mr Hope and his Wellington-based team work with companies, organisations and political and other decision makers, advocating for New Zealand's success through sustainable economic growth.

Before joining BusinessNZ, Kirk was CEO of the New Zealand Bankers' Association. Prior to that he was Executive Director of the Financial Services Federation, the industry body representing the non-bank sector. He previously held a range of senior positions at Westpac, including Head of Government Relations and Regulatory Affairs.

Kirk holds a Master’s degree in law, focused on regulation of financial services, and an Honours degree in political science.

Kirk has represented BusinessNZ on the 2018 Tax Working Group, the 2018 Fair Pay Agreements Working Group, the Future of Work Tripartite Forum, and is a Commission member of the Tertiary Education Commission and a member of the Defence Employers Support Council.