RIP Eric and Kathy Hertz

My thoughts are with the family and friends of Eric and Kathy Hertz and the wide 2Degrees company which Eric was CEO of.

Hertz was a major part of the success of 2Degrees which last August signed up its millionth customer after just three years of operations. Their entry into the market led to a halving of call and text costs from other telcos.

The company will of course endure without their CEO, but it will be a very sad time for their 750 staff and board.

Hertz gave an interview just four days ago:

As for Hertz, who is an American, he says he’s not going anywhere. His family have settled in New Zealand and have acquired residency. “This is home. It’s a wonderful place to live. I’ve worked and lived in seven different countries and the quality of life here is unequalled. I don’t know why people leave.”

One of many people who came here for a job, and decided to never leave.