New chair for Tourism BOP

Tourism Bay of Plenty chairman Ian Smith has stepped down from the board after nearly a decade, with Des Hammond taking up the chair role.

Ian had been a trustee for nine years and assumed the chairman position last February when then-chairman Paul Bowker announced his retirement.


Des Hammond is taking over from Ian Smith as the new chairman of Tourism Bay of Plenty.

Ian, who is owner-director of Waihi Beach Top 10 Holiday Resort, Beachaven Holiday Park and Waihi Beaches' Fire Chief, says during his time on the board he's seen the region's tourism industry continue to go great guns, but acknowledges it is time for a change.

'I've been very fortunate to be part of an organisation committed to taking the region from strength to strength, and I know Des will continue to take the organisation and the region in the right direction.”

Incoming chair Des is an independent director and chartered fellow of the Institute of Directors (IOD) in New Zealand, and is currently an active member on the Bay of Plenty branch committee.

He has been a company director and executive, with more than 30 years' of governance and leadership experience in the banking, finance, education and export sectors – both nationally and internationally.

Des is looking forward to stepping into the role, in which he's confident he and the board can keep pushing the Bay's tourism towards the goal of becoming a billion-dollar industry by 2030.

'It is an exciting era for the region with economic growth being experienced across several sectors. Tourism has the potential to be even more significant for the region and I look forward to being a part of that growth.”

Tauranga mayor Stuart Crosby thanks Ian for his great contribution to the region's tourism development over the last few years.


Former chair Ian Smith.

'Ian has provided great leadership to guide Tourism Bay of Plenty into the future and we would like to thank him for his engagement, especially for Tauranga, as well as the wider Bay of Plenty region.”

He adds the council and Tourism Bay of Plenty board are looking forward to engaging with Des as they work towards shaping the region as a vibrant tourism destination.

'With Des, the application panel found a new chairman who brings extensive international experience, strong financial knowledge and impressive strategic thinking skills to the board, and we are excited to work with him.”

The new chair is also joined by two new board members this month: Peter Moran and Will Wilson. Peter is perhaps best known for his role as Chief Financial Officer at Comvita, a position he passionately held for six and a half years as he helped grow the company significantly.

He is currently enjoying quality time as a Kiwifruit orchardist in Te Puke, and with a background in commercial leadership – covering strategic planning, governance, ICT, management and finance – he is sure to be an asset to the board.

'I have a passion for helping people grow their businesses into larger, successful organisations, through ongoing, sustainable profit growth and good governance, and I'm thrilled to be able to utilise those skills on the board of Tourism Bay of Plenty,” says Peter.

Meanwhile Will is the founding chairman of the Bay of Plenty branch of the IOD and a chartered member. He has a strong background in primary industry, as well as extensive experience in the tourism and agricultural industry, and government entities.

'I hope to bring to the board an understanding of developing and delivering on strategic initiative, which will benefit the tourism industry and the greater business community in the Bay,” says Will.

The other directors are Tania Bui, Michelle Malcolm, Janine Hellyer, Oliver Moorcroft and Anne Blakeway.

Tourism Bay of Plenty CEO Kristin Dunne acknowledges the long-standing contribution Ian and the other board members have made to the growth of this industry, and adds that the changing of the guard is an exciting reflection of the times ahead for the organisation.

'We've got a board brimming with ideas and experience, and I look forward to seeing what we can achieve in the time to come.”

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