Mobile phone company 2degrees says it will keep thriving in New Zealand and the business will operate as normal despite the death of its chief executive in a plane crash.
Eric Hertz , 58, and his wife Kathy Hertz, 64, were killed when their twin-engined Beechcraft Baron plunged into the sea off the Waikato coast, near Raglan, after reporting engine trouble about midday on Saturday.
The couple, who are American, called New Zealand home and had just gained residency.
2degrees director of corporate affairs Mat Bolland says Mr Hertz would have wanted the company to keep operating as usual and there had been discussions about its long-term future.
"I can't talk about what it involves or who it involves but, needless to say, businesses have to prepare for these horrible events, and we have.
"I think we've got a lot of loss to deal with, but the excitement and the journey that is 2degrees has been something a lot of people share as well as Eric.
Mr Bolland says 2degrees chair Stewart Sherriff and its board are working with management to deal with the business.
