The New Zealand Herald reports that the Sydney-based Pryke will, however, continue as chairman of New Zealand’s largest electricity generator and retailer.

Pryke will be vice-president global sales and client solutions (Asia Pacific) for the Texas-headquartered global IT company. He has earlier served as an EDS New Zealand board member, as well as running the Australasian operations of telecoms equipment maker Lucent.

Contact Energy intends releasing its unaudited results for the half-year ending March 31, 2004, and announcing its interim dividend on April 29.