Wellington, May 6 NZPA - Retirement village operator Metlifecare said its chief executive Richard de Haast will leave the company at the end of July.

Chairman Charles MacDonald said the board respected Mr de Haast's decision to resign and appreciated the contribution he made to the company.

The company earlier announced the resignation of Jim McLay as chairman effective May 1.

Mr McLay, a former National Party leader, is to be New Zealand's next permanent representative to the Untied Nations.

Dr MacDonald is chief executive of Retirement Villages Group, the majority shareholder in Metlifecare.