Dave Letele announces he is leaving NZ Muscle
Dave Letele has stepped down as CEO of NZ Muscle just one week after taking the role to help turn the company around. The brand has recently faced scrutiny over product safety standards and investigations by government regulators.
Why it matters
The rapid departure of a high-profile figure highlights the significant reputational and operational challenges facing the company amid regulatory investigations.
<p>Dave Letele has announced he is "stepping back" from NZ Muscle – just a week after <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/07/14/dave-letele-takes-over-nz-muscle-to-save-35-jobs/" target="_blank">taking over as chief executive</a> with a shareholding in the business.</p> <p>The company had hit strife after a YouTube video from a former employee claimed it had questionable practices. NZ Muscle had responded by <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/06/26/nz-muscle-creatine-recalled-amid-investigation-into-safety-standards/" target="_blank">recalling some products</a>.</p> <p>The Commerce Commission and Ministry of Primary Industries had also begun their own investigations into the matter.</p> <p>Today, Letele said in a post to Instagram: "I've decided to step back from NZ Muscle."</p> <p>"I came in with the best of intentions, to help a business front up and fix things properly.
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