Investors questioned the effectiveness of The Warehouse's ageing board of directors during the retailer's annual meeting in Auckland yesterday.
New Zealand Shareholders' Association corporate liaison Des Hunt said the company needed "new blood" on its six-member board, which has an average age of 62.
Founder Sir Stephen Tindall is 60, while chairman Graham Evans is 72 and independent director Ted van Arkel, who was elected yesterday, is 68.
When the floor was opened for questions around the re-election of deputy chairman Keith Smith, 59, Hunt said he supported his reinstatement but would like him to consider stepping down before the end of his term if new talent became available.
In reply, Smith said he was committed to serving his full term, but his history with other companies showed he had "not been shy of stepping down" from boards when there was a more skilled person that could replace him.