Tourism Minister Kelvin Davis has announced the appointment of Jamie Tuuta as Chair of the New Zealand Tourism Board (known as Tourism New Zealand) and Roger Sharp as Deputy Chair.
The appointments were announced at the inaugural Qualmark 100% Pure New Zealand Experience Awards at Parliament this evening.
“The tourism environment has changed dramatically in recent years and both Jamie Tuuta and Roger Sharp possess the right skills and experience to provide expert leadership to the board,” Kelvin Davis said.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank outgoing Chair, Dame Kerry Prendergast for the dedication she has shown in guiding Tourism New Zealand to become a visionary, world-leading tourism organisation.
“A mix of significant visitor growth, changes in technology and digital media, and the Government’s upcoming Tourism Strategy mean that there are a number of challenges and opportunities for the Board.
“I am confident that the new perspectives brought to the table by both Jamie and Roger are going to be an asset for Tourism New Zealand,” Kelvin Davis said.
Notes for editors
- Jamie Tuuta has been on the Board of Tourism New Zealand since 2013 and brings an understanding of the New Zealand tourism sector and the evolution of Tourism New Zealand to the role. He is currently the Chair of Māori Television, the Taranaki Mounga Project and Te Ohu Kaimoana Trustee Ltd. Mr Tuuta is also a recipient of the 2010 Sir Peter Blake Emerging Leadership Award and the 2016 Young Māori Business Leader.
- Roger Sharp is currently on the Board of Tourism New Zealand. He has deep understanding of the Asia-Pacific and global inbound travel markets, the international context and the social licence issues currently facing the tourism sector. He is also the Chair of Webjet, and has extensive knowledge of digital marketing.
- The New Zealand Tourism Board is a Crown entity, responsible for ensuring that New Zealand is effectively marketed as a visitor destination in order to maximise long-term benefits to New Zealand.
