Carolyn McMahon is First Female President of Honda New Zealand

Honda has made history with the appointment of Carolyn McMahon as President of Honda New Zealand, effective 1 April 2025. In a landmark move, McMahon becomes the first woman to lead the company’s Kiwi operations, following an impressive tenure at Honda Australia.
Meanwhile, across the ditch, Jay Joseph has been named CEO and Director of Honda Australia, taking over from Yoshitaka Okamoto. With 27 years under his belt at Honda, Joseph brings a wealth of experience to the role, having most recently served as Vice President of American Honda.

“I am thrilled to step into the role of CEO and Director at Honda Australia during this pivotal time for the company,” Joseph said. “Carolyn has left an incredible legacy of innovation, collaboration, and customer focus, and I’m committed to maintaining that momentum.”

McMahon, who has spent almost three decades at Honda Australia, has been instrumental in reshaping the business. She played a key role in Honda’s industry-first business transformation and the unification of Honda Australia’s Cars and MPE (Motorcycle, Power Equipment and Marine) divisions. Her appointment as President of Honda New Zealand signals a new era for the brand in Aotearoa.

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ABOVE: Carolyn McMahon , Jay Joseph , Honda Concepts

“I am honoured to take on this new role with Honda New Zealand,” McMahon said. “It’s an exciting time for the automotive industry, and I look forward to working with the talented team in NZ to continue delivering exceptional experiences for our customers.”
McMahon takes over from Nobu Sonoda, who has led Honda New Zealand for 11 years. Sonoda will now shift to a new role as Director of Business Services and New Business Program for Honda Australia, focusing on the company’s electrification strategy.

“After 11 years leading the Honda team in New Zealand, I am delighted with the opportunity to bring this experience to the Australian market,” Sonoda said. “It is an exciting time to join Honda Australia with so much change in the automotive industry globally.”
With McMahon and Joseph at the helm of Honda’s operations in Australia and New Zealand, the company is poised for an exciting period of growth and transformation. One thing’s for sure—there’s a lot more horsepower to come.