Fretwell's career history includes senior positions as general manager of Manders Coatings and Inks, sales director Asia Pacific for Flint Ink, general manager of Creo NZ and general manager of Kodak NZ.
He will work alongside operations manager Mark Hawkey in developing the Manroland business in New Zealand.
Manroland Australasia managing director Steve Dunwell said Fretwell (pictured) "has a deep knowledge of plate technology and consumables".
"With the recent signing of Manroland's agreement to represent Xingraphics thermal plate solutions plus the launching of our Printcom range of consumable products, I welcome Derek as a driving force in the New Zealand marketplace," he said.
The Xingraphics range includes the FIT eCO Primo thermal plates.
Fretwell assumes his new role on 1 July 2010.
Click here for the latest news from across the printing industry.