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The Team at Aoraki Development Business and Tourism
Economic Development and Tourism
The Aoraki Development Business and Tourism team bring a high level of skills and experience to our roles, coupled with a passion for the development of South Canterbury and the drive and energy to help make it happen.
Under the strategic governance of the Aoraki Development Board and led by a skilled and experienced management team, we work hard, focus on results and are 100% committed to long term, sustainable, economic and tourism development for South Canterbury.
You can reach our offices here
Business Office p: (03) 6872682 e: business@southcanterbury.org.nz
Tourism Office p: (03) 6879997 e: tourism@southcanterbury.org.nz
Wendy Smith
Chief Executive Officer
MBA, HND HC & IM
Aoraki Development Business and Tourism
South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce
Wendy commenced as Chief Executive of Aoraki Development Business and Tourism and the South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce in late January 2009. Prior to this role, Wendy was the Chief Executive of Aoraki Polytechnic in Timaru, an organisation with average revenue of NZD$25 million, generated from campuses across the Central South Island and services delivered nationally. With a strong career history in hotel management and hospitality, Wendy has served on several commercial and Not for Profit boards over the years. Wendy has a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) and HND in Hotel Management and emigrated to New Zealand from the United Kingdom in 1992.
wendy@southcanterbury.org.nz
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Katerina Tiscenko
Tourism Manager and Deputy Chief Executive
BA
Katerina joined the team as Tourism Manager in January 2009. Prior to joining Aoraki Development Business and Tourism, Katerina held marketing and communications and general management roles at Farmside, New Zealand's leading rural broadband company, based in Timaru. Originally from Timaru, Katerina returned to South Canterbury in 2005 after 20 years in Wellington, where she operated her own marketing communications, PR, advertising and web writing consultancy, with clients across the corporate, telecommunications, tourism and engineering sectors. Katerina's previous corporate roles have included sales, project management, marketing, public relations and communications roles with Telecom New Zealand and public relations roles with the New Zealand Tourism Board. Katerina has a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Otago University.
katerina@southcanterbury.org.nz
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Jeremy Liddy
Business Services Coordinator
BCM
Jeremy Liddy joined Aoraki Development Business and Tourism in March 2010 as Business Services Coordinator. With a Bachelor of Commerce and Management majoring in Economics from Lincoln University, Jeremy provides business support services to our region and runs regular clinics in Waimate and Geraldine. Other components of Jeremy's role include assisting with the development of the new South Canterbury website and business partner packages, regional coordinator for the Young Enterprise Scheme and assisting with events such as the Empowering Women financial skills series and the South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards.
jeremy@southcanterbury.org.nz
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Di Hay
Chamber of Commerce Operations Manager
Di joined the team in February 2009 and has the principle role of managing the South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce. With a background in print and radio journalism, Di has worked in commercial radio as an on-air presenter for several years. Prior to joining Aoraki Development Business and Tourism, Di held a marketing role at Aoraki Polytechnic and also tutored in journalism and marketing. With her special interest in communications and public relations, Di has worked as a consultant in this capacity and has also been involved in establishing and running two retail businesses, remaining a director of one of these companies. Di holds a Diploma in Journalism and Certificate in Adult Teaching.
chamber@southcanterbury.org.nz
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Sam Callander
Online Operations Coordinator
BA & BCom
Sam joined the team in late 2010 with a key focus on website services development. With a varied background including financial management, accounting, website management, and business operations, Sam is ideally suited to help position ADBT website services to ensure maximum promotional benefit for South Canterbury across all sectors of the business, service and residential communities. Sam holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree majoring in Economics and a Bachelor of Arts majoring in History, both from Otago University.
sam@southcanterbury.org.nz
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Matt Ross
Training Officer
BCom
Matt joined the Aoraki Development Business and Tourism team in July 2011. He comes from a background including marketing, tourism and hospitality, and conferences and events. Coordinating the business training courses for Aoraki Development Business and Tourism and the Chamber of Commerce, Matt provides businesses with opportunities to attend training courses, up skill, and drive their business forward. The other component of his role involves being the first port of call for administration at Aoraki Development Business and Tourism. Matt holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree majoring in Tourism from Otago University.
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Raewyn Bell
Business Sales Consultant
Raewyn has joined Aoraki Development Business & Tourism in the new role of Business Sales Consultant, as a direct result of the increasing need for a person dedicated to the interaction and promotion of new and key businesses through signing them on as Business Partners on this website. Raewyn is excited to be engaging South Canterbury business in the hugely successful website www.southcanterbury.org.nz launched around 12 months ago, statistics now proving it to be the primary website used to locate information about South Canterbury.
From a business ownership, management, sales and marketing background within a long established South Canterbury business that trades nationally, Raewyn’s wealth of experience and knowledge further endorses Aoraki Development Business & Tourism’s commitment to create District pride, growth and success.
raewyn@southcanterbury.org.nz
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Jackie Goodfellow
Financial Controller BsC Hons, ICEAW
Aoraki Development Business and Tourism
South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce
Jackie joined the Aoraki Development Business and Tourism team as Financial Controller in April 2010. A qualified Chartered Accountant, Jackie spent several years previously managing the financial affairs of a large Auckland School ($4m turnover per annum), in addition to acting as treasurer for several not for profit organisations and running a school based sailing programme for local primary schools. Prior to moving to New Zealand in 1999 from the UK, Jackie managed the accounts department for a London based engineering company ($10m turnover per annum).
jackie@southcanterbury.org.nz
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Fiona Stevens
Business Assistant to CE
After 20 years in management at Ballantynes Fiona was fortunate to have the opportunity to join the Aoraki Development Business and Tourism team in November 2011 as Business Assistant to the Chief Executive.
Fiona has many varied administration skills, experience in support, project & event management, training sessions and promotional activities. She understands the value of exceptional customer service, and promotes good relationships to build solid business relationships.
Fiona has lived in Timaru most of her life and thinks how lucky we are to have such a wonderful city and surrounding district, where there are so many opportunities for businesses establish, to be supported and to grow.
fiona@southcanterbury.org.nz
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Rhonda Boles De Boer
Accounts Administrator
Rhonda joined the Aoraki Development Business and Tourism Team in early 2010, after having returned to South Canterbury four years ago after a 25 year absence. Rhonda's current role involves managing the large volume of accounts processing required for the Timaru and Geraldine i-SITE Visitor Centres and the tourism and business arms of the organisation. Prior to joining the team, Rhonda worked in a variety of accounts processing and administrative management roles in the retail and automotive sectors. Rhonda holds a National Certificate in Travel Consultancy and is currently studying towards a Diploma in Accounting at Aoraki Polytechnic.
rhonda@southcanterbury.org.nz
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Janet Hogan
Employment Co-ordinator
Janet joined the Aoraki Development Business and Tourism team in January 2011 as a part time administration officer with the Chamber of Commerce. In April she took on the role as Employment Co-ordinator for the Chambers Straight 2 Work programme, run nationally by the Chamber in partnership with Work and Income. Janet is a trained teacher and she has also had a number of administration roles. Janet’s background in teaching compliments her role and she is able to use her experience in all aspects of the position. Her current role also includes some administration assistance for ADBT as needed, along with the running of the specialised course for the selected participants.
janet@southcanterbury.org.nz
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Karyn Buckingham
Marketing & Administration Assistant
Diploma in Parks & Recreation Management
With a Diploma in Parks and Recreation Management from Lincoln University, Karyn joined the Aoraki Development Business and Tourism Team several years ago, first working as an i-SITE travel consultant before taking on her current role four years ago. With a special focus on managing events updates and the events database, Karyn also assists with marketing projects such as guide and map publication and provides general administration assistance. Prior to working in the tourism sector, Karyn gained experience in recreation and retail roles.
events@southcanterbury.org.nz
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Cathy Shearer
Education South Canterbury
BA
Cathy joined the Aoraki Development Business and Tourism team in 2003 and works part-time as the Project Manager for Education South Canterbury, a partnership between local educational institutions to promote South Canterbury as a quality international education destination. Cathy coordinates visits by international delegations and projects for South Canterbury schools and tertiary providers, maximising study opportunities for international students.
trade@southcanterbury.org.nz
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i-SITE Visitor Centres
The Aoraki Business Development and Tourism i-SITE Visitor Centre team combine years of tourism and travel experience with extensive South Canterbury and New Zealand tourism product knowledge to deliver excellent free travel information and booking services. Whether you are a visitor to South Canterbury or a local wanting to find out more about our region, our i-SITE teams in Timaru and Geraldine are ready to help you with information and bookings for activities, attractions, accommodation, transport and events. Full itineraries and bookings for travel anywhere in New Zealand are also part of the service, at no charge to the customer. Click here to find out more about our i-SITE services.
Our experienced team looks forward to helping you get the most from your visit to South Canterbury NZ.
Jude Clarke
i-SITE & Retail Manager
Jude has been managing the Timaru and Geraldine i-SITE Visitor Centres for over two years, bringing extensive experience in tourism, hospitality and hotel management to the role. Prior to joining the Aoraki Development Business and Tourism team, Jude managed the Countrytime Resort in Omarama and Waihemo Lodge in Palmerston for several years. Other management roles have included General Manager of a power solutions company and managing a retail store in the building sector. Previous hospitality and customer services roles have provided Jude with a strong customer service ethic, reflected in the way Jude leads her busy team of i-SITE Visitor Centre travel consultants. Jude is currently studying towards ATTTO (Aviation, Tourism & Travel Training) qualifications in tourism.
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Timaru i-SITE Visitor Centre
i-SITE Sales Consultants
Pam Gibson has been part of the Timaru i-SITE Visitor Centre team for approximately eight years. Timaru born and bred, Pam has a farming background and worked in postal, customer services and volunteer roles before joining the i-SITE team.
Emma Little has been an i-SITE Sales Consultant for four years. Emma joined the i-SITE team after leaving high school and is currently studying towards ATTTO (Aviation, Tourism & Travel Training) qualifications in tourism. Emma's skills in sign language and some Japanese skills are a handy asset to the busy Timaru i-SITE team.
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Geraldine i-SITE Visitor Centre
i-SITE Sales Consultants
Deborah Allan has been working at the Geraldine i-SITE Visitor Centre for six years, with prior experience in the banking and transport industries. Deborah holds Level Three and Four ATTTO (Aviation, Tourism & Travel Training) qualifications in tourism and has built up an extensive knowledge of Geraldine and South Canterbury tourism product during her 12 years as a Geraldine resident.
Maree Worner has been part of the busy Geraldine i-SITE team for the past two years, previously working as a kindergarten teacher and in the retail sector. A Geraldine local since childhood, Maree has a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and is currently studying towards ATTTO (Aviation, Tourism & Travel Training) qualifications in tourism to complement her broad knowledge of local tourism product.
Janette O'Neill moved to Geraldine permanently after several enjoyable holidays in the area, joining the Geraldine i-SITE team three years ago. With a background in medical services and administration, Janette is currently studying towards ATTTO (Aviation, Tourism & Travel Training) qualifications in tourism and is actively involved with local community groups | |
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