Peat will be replaced by Helen Robinson, currently Microsoft New Zealand's director of small-mid-sized businesses.

Robinson is a relative newcomer to Microsoft New Zealand, joining the company last year from Pivotal Corp. where she was vice president for Australia and New Zealand.

Microsoft faces an interesting year ahead with the launch of a new operating system, a new Office suite and the long awaited Longhorn server.

Peat says he's leaving Microsoft "in good hands" and will spend more time on recreational activities and then pursue personal business goals within the New Zealand market.

The change over is effective July 1.