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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: adbt@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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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 a number of 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. She has also been involved in establishing and running two retail businesses. Di holds Certificates in Journalism and Adult Teaching and is studying towards a Graduate Diploma in Business Studies majoring in Marketing.
chamber@southcanterbury.org.nz
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Sam Callander
Business Services Manager
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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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 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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Visitor Centres
The Aoraki Business Development and Tourism 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 Visitor Centre 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 visitor services.
Our experienced team looks forward to helping you get the most from your visit to South Canterbury NZ.
Jude Clarke
Visitor Centre & Retail Manager
Jude has been managing the Timaru and Geraldine 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 Visitor Centre travel consultants. Jude is currently studying towards ATTTO (Aviation, Tourism & Travel Training) qualifications in tourism.
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Timaru Visitor Centre
District Promotions Services Co-ordinators
Geraldine Visitor Centre
District Promotions Services Co-ordinators
Virginia (Ginny) Bolderston Ginny joined the ADBT team early in 2013 and oversees the day to day operation of the Geraldine Visitor Centre. Having studied Parks and Recreation at Lincoln College, Ginny then went on to be involved in the development of a tourism venture in Lake Tekapo, working for Mt Cook Line in the Leisure Products Division and then for Value Tours in Methven. After working in tourism and promotions, Ginny then married and has been farming in partnership with her husband in Carew and more recently, Geraldine.With her heart firmly in the South Canterbury region, while helping to run the farming business and bringing up her family, Ginny has been involved in volunteer work in the community and at present in the Treasurer of the Geraldine District Golf Club. Ginny has a strong sporting life, with golf being a first choice, having represented South Canterbury at the game.
Janette O'Neill moved to Geraldine permanently after several enjoyable holidays in the area, joining the Geraldine 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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