Frazer Winskill Steps Up on 1 November

NIOA, which integrated Auckland-based Sportways Distributors into the group in April, has nominated Frazer Winskill to take over from Gary Powell and General Manager for New Zealand with effect from 1 November.

Powell, a long-serving director of Sportways, will remain involved as an advisor to NIOA, to ensure a seamless handover. Winskill, who has been NIOA’s Regional Business Manager in New Zealand since May 2021, is an 18-year New Zealand Army veteran, with operational experience including multiple deployments to Afghanistan and South Sudan. “We thank Garry for his service and leadership since Sportways became part of the NIOA family earlier this year,” commented group CEO, Robert Nioa. “His experience has been vital to this point in our journey and we are now looking forward to what Fraser will bring to NIOA in New Zealand […] Fraser’s background in the NZDF, combined with his leadership capabilities, commercial knowledge and understanding of the industry through a lifelong passion for hunting and sporting shooting, mean he has the expertise to carry us into the future.”

NIOA represents several renowned firearm and ammunition manufacturers in New Zealand, including Savage, Federal, and Remington Arms, recently adding SureFire suppressors and Lewis Machine Tool to the line-up. The company has a long-standing presence in-country through its support of the NZDF and New Zealand police, supplying weapons systems and tactical equipment. The group is now the leading privately-owned supplier of firearms, weapons and ammunition in Australasia.