Published: 08 Apr 2021
Timaru District Council has appointed four new directors to the board of Timaru District’s economic and tourism agency, Venture Timaru.
The appointments replace two former board members and the chair, who will retire this year. Replacements with experience and knowledge of the rural sector and tourism were being sought as well as someone suitable to be a future chair.
The new appointees are:
- Dr Anthony Brien
- Tony Howey
- Stacey Scott
- Karl TeRaki
They joined current board chair Mark Rogers and directors Raeleen de Joux and Erin McNaught from 1 April.
Timaru District Mayor Nigel Bowen, who was on the interview panel, said that each of the candidates brought a unique set of skills to the table, and would provide great strength to the board going forward.
“There is so much untapped potential in our district from both an economic and tourism perspective, and it’s important that a body such as Venture Timaru has a board with a wide range of experience that can provide strong leadership,” he said.
“It’s fantastic that we were able to find this calibre of candidate within our district, as local residents they are both professionally and personally invested in seeing this whole district grow and prosper.
“The decision was made to increase the board from a five to six members to reflect the additional skills required with the expansion of the organisation to cover tourism and visitor promotions.
“The four new members and our existing board members offer the governance and specific sector experience to help Venture Timaru go from strength to strength.
“I’d like to take the opportunity to thank the previous directors for their work for the community over their tenure, they’ve left an organisation in great shape for the future.”
The roles were publicly advertised through the Institute of Directors, from 20 applicants a shortlist of seven candidates was interviewed by the Council’s Director and Trustee Appointment Subcommittee with the appointment being approved by Council last month.
Background Information Provided by Candidates:
Dr Anthony Brien, Ph.D.
Having lived in the Timaru District for the past thirty-five years, and no plans for leaving, I have a vested interested in ensuring the District grows sustainably in economic, social, and environmental terms for future generations. We must grow, by business diversification, the economic base of Timaru that will increase the population to ensure a vibrant future. Attracting new businesses attracts new skills, new families and new opportunities which helps sustain existing businesses.
I bring to the Venture Timaru Board extensive connections within the New Zealand tourism industry, an understanding of the workings of a Council Controlled Organisation (Venture Timaru) from being a past District Councillor and an understanding of the Districts agriculture base. As a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors I bring sound governance experience to the Board.
My wife, Sandra and two of our three adult children all live in Timaru. I hold a senior academic position at Lincoln University lecturing and researching in the areas of Business Management and Tourism.
Tony Howey
I was born and raised in South Canterbury and following my studies in Agricultural Commerce was fortunate to get some international experience with several study awards
I have been farming grain/seed and vegetables since 1986 until 2019, and now concentrate on organic blackcurrants with our ViBERi brand.
My current and past directorships/committees include: Horticulture NZ, NZGAP, Opuha Water, Ravensdown, Southern Packers, Seedlands, Farmers Mill, SC Chamber of Commerce, Aoraki Multicultural Council, OOP Zone Committee, Timaru Bahá’i Community, TeAitarakihi Multicultural Centre.
The motivation for putting my hand up to serve on Venture Timaru is to make our region an even better place to live and work where a strong sense of community continues to build.
Stacey Scott
My career spans various areas of business such as governance, leadership, general management, stakeholder relations, and project management. My business ambitions and community involvement have always been linked. Having a business that works across both private, public and the not-for-profit sectors supports my values of giving back to my community.
I look forward to my role at Venture Timaru, to be part of strengthening networks across the region and to understand issues or concerns for those that live within it. I care for people, prosperity, and regional growth, and I will provide strong and genuine leadership.
Born and raised in Timaru, I am married to my husband Dave and we have four children. The children attend Roncalli College & Sacred Heart Primary School in Timaru. We farm a mixed cropping farm in Lyalldale, St Andrews.
Karl TeRaki
Karl is of Ngāi Tahu descent.
His extensive career as a business owner and presence on many boards, brings a background in economic development, tourism and stewardship for the community and culture to Venture Timaru.
He has owned and operated Kitchens Direct in South Canterbury since 1997. Over the 24 years, Karl has trained apprentices and tradespeople as joiners, many of whom have gone on to run their own businesses.
He has held many roles within Ngāi Tahu and Arowhenua to support regional development opportunities and initiatives, ultimately to enhance wellbeing.
He has been involved in Māori business development and Te Runanga o Ngāi Tahu Board Governance for the last 15 years.
He is an appointed Board member (by the Minister of Health) for South Canterbury District Health Board (SCDHB).
He chairs the Māori Health Advisory Committee for the SCDHB. This Committee ensures a focused lens on the health and equity outcomes for the Māori within the community of South Canterbury.
He is chairperson for the He Manu Hou Bilingual early childhood ECE Trust and Committee member for Te Aitarakihi Multi Cultural Centre. Karl has also held the position of Māori liaison and Kapa Haka tutor for Craighead Diocesan for the past 8 years.
Last updated: 08 Apr 2021