Strategies & Reports

Tourism Advisory Board

• Karen Jefferson

  

  Newly appointed, Karen is locally based in Lauder and operates, alongside her husband Jean-Michel, not only a stunning venue popular for special occasions such as weddings, but also an award winning luxury New Zealand tourism company, Ahipara Travel.

  Whilst being a motivated and experienced general operational manager, Karen is also currently on a sustainability / regenerative travel journey. With our goal for the Central Otago visitor industry to be carbon neutral by 2027, we look forward to Karen's advocacy in this space.

• Shayne Forrest

  

  Newly appointed, Shayne is originally a local Alexandra lad, now Deputy Chief Executive of Hobbiton having been a key player there since 2012. 

  Shayne brings over 10 years experience of sales, marketing, product development and operations alongside a proven track record of developing and implementing innovative business strategies.

  In 2017 Shayne won the YoungTEC Excellence Award for outstanding efforts and contribution to the development of New Zealand's tourism industry by a YoungTEC member, swiftly followed by winning the Emerging Tourism Leader Award at New Zealand Tourism Awards.

  We look forward to his contributions at our Tourism Advisory Board discussions.

• Mark Frood

  

  Mark has had an extensive international career with Tourism New Zealand and prior to that, experience with Destination Queenstown, as General Manager Marketing.

  His early career was with Greenfields / Landbase Society (Timaru), all of which has given him some serious roots in the Southern region.

  Mark’s most recent role was Tourism and International Market Development Manager with Auckland International Airport. 

  He is now an independent consultant, and has been re-appointed to the Tourism Advisory Board for another year.

• Rudi Bauer

  

  Widely considered as a far-sighted pioneer of the Central Otago wine region and one of the most charismatic producers in the country, we are privileged to have someone as highly regarded and connected as Rudi on the Tourism Advisory Board.

  With his knowledge of the local, national and international wine world he adds real value and support, and will continue with the Board for another year.

• Dr Susan Houge Mackenzie

  

  Susan is a lecturer in the Department of Tourism at University of Otago.

  She brings to the Board strong practical tourism management experience in the outdoor sector as well as impressive academic credentials with a particular focus on destination management (she is involved with the World Tourism Forum).

  Susan has a keen interest in managing the relationship between visitors and host communities - something that is of vital importance to retaining the authenticity of the Central Otago visitor experience. She also has a strong affinity with Central Otago.

  Susan has been re-appointed to the Tourism Advisory Board for a further two year term.

• Tim Cadogan - Central Otago Mayor

  Tim sits on the Board as the representative from Central Otago District Council. He is a passionate advocate for the region and its residents as he says in his CODC elected member profile .... 

  "It is easy to love this place, with its big skies, raw hills and wide-open spaces. It's a place where it's easy to feel as one with the world. It is also a place full of great people; from the 6th generation descendants of our earliest settlers to new residents who are bringing their knowledge and experience from all corners of the world."

• Sue Sullivan - Board Chair

  Sue is CEO of Christchurch and Hanmer Attractions and has had an extensive career in tourism, including close to 20 years with Tourism Holdings Ltd and its subsidiaries.

  She has served as a Board member of ‘Destination Lake Taupo’ (the Taupo RTO) and is highly regarded as a leader in the tourism industry having transformed CINZ into a dynamic organisation in the 5 years she was CEO.

  Having chaired the Tourism Advisory Board for the past two years, Sue's term will end on 30 June 2021. Her involvement in that time has been outstanding.

   

• David Ritchie

  David is best known locally for his involvement in and commitment to the development of tourism in Clyde.

  He has previously held high profile senior management and CEO positions here in New Zealand and around the world.

  Having been a key contributor on the Tourism Advisory Board for the past two years, David's term will end on 30 June 2021. However, he won't be going too far, with both Olivers and Lord Clyde, amongst other projects, to keep him occupied.