2022 Otago Tourism Policy School Speakers

Public lecture speaker

Associate Professor Katharina Ruckstuhl - Associate Dean Māori, Otago Business School

Associate Professor Ruckstuhl is the Kaitohutohu of the Otago Business School’s Te Maea: Māori and Indigenous Economy and Enterprise Network. She leads a number of research projects, including in the Science for Technological Innovation National Science Challenge, where she is the Vision Mātauranga deputy leader of the Challenge and co-leads the Building New Zealand’s Innovation portfolio. She is also the Associate Director Māori on the Dodd-Walls Centre of Research Excellence. Her broader research focuses on innovation and Māori business, resource extraction, energy transition and Māori policy.

Paul Anderson - CEO NZ Ski Ltd

Paul Anderson is Chief Executive of Queenstown-based NZSki Limited. NZSki owns and operates Coronet Peak, The Remarkables and Mt Hutt ski areas, catering for more than 700,000 guests each year and employing in excess of 1,200 staff at the height of the season. Paul has previously held senior roles in the private, public and local government sectors most recently as General Manager Corporate Services for Christchurch City Council. Paul holds a Master of Commerce (First Class Honours) from the University of Canterbury, is Chartered Accountant (CA) and a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors. He has also worked in senior finance and operational roles at Telecom New Zealand and before this in the London, New York and Tokyo offices of English investment bank NatWest GFM. Paul started his career as a policy analyst at the New Zealand Treasury. He is currently a director for Trojan Holdings Ltd and has also held directorships for Port Hills Leisure Ltd, Local Government Funding Agency and EcoCentral Ltd.

Session 1

Associate Professor Krushil Watene - Massey University

Krushil Watene (Ngāti Manu, Te Hikutu, Ngāti Whātua o Orākei, Tonga) is Associate Professor in Philosophy at Massey University in Aotearoa New Zealand. Her research addresses fundamental questions in ethics, politics, and indigenous philosophy. Her research contributes to high-level discussions of indigenous concepts in well-being and justice theorizing, grounded in the central role of local communities. She holds a PhD in Philosophy from the University of St. Andrews and is currently a Rutherford Discovery Fellow undertaking research on intergenerational justice.

Kylie Ruwhiu-Karawana - TRC Tourism

Kylie is an experienced tourism marketing specialist with over 20 years’ working in the tourism sector, in both a public and private capacity. Kylie has an extensive portfolio of knowledge related to international and regional trade marketing, visitor strategy development, event management, stakeholder relationship management and small business management. She has in-depth knowledge of New Zealand and global tourism in general, but she has passion and expertise in values-based tourism, specifically Māori and Indigenous tourism experiences.

Dr Apisalome Movono - Massey University

Dr Apisalome Movono is a Senior Lecturer at Massey University where he continues his passion for the Pacific through research and promoting development that is fair, resilient, and sustainable for future generations. His work seeks to create a more accurate understanding of Pacific Island peoples and to find solutions and long-term strategies for the many challenges Pacific Islanders face. Findings of his latest research project, on the pandemic and the responses of tourism-reliant communities in the Pacific, can be found here: www.reimaginingsouthpacifictourism.com

Ken Hughey - Chief Science Advisor DOC

Ken Hughey is Professor of Environmental Management at Lincoln University and since 2014 has been seconded to the Department of Conservation for 3 days per week as Chief Science Advisor. His interests and responsibilities are varied and include perceptions of the state of the New Zealand environment, economics of endangered species management, water resources management, and sustainable tourism – these and many other matters he deals with in both work environments. More specific responsibilities in DOC include promoting and building key relationships – universities, NIWA, GNS and Manaaki whenua; involvement in governance of Tiakina Kauri (the new kauri dieback agency), Himalayan tahr management; leading negotiations with major energy providers around win-win conservation-energy production projects; and, working across government on helping improve the science funding and management system.

Session 2

Kiri Goulter - Regional Tourism New Zealand

Kiri Goulter has 25 years’ experience in tourism and economic development in New Zealand and specialises in destination management planning and implementation. Kiri led the development of the New Zealand Government’s (MBIE) Destination Management Guidelines and is currently the Director of Destination Management for Regional Tourism New Zealand. In 2009 Kiri led the establishment of Hamilton & Waikato Tourism (HWT) which required regaining support from the region’s seven local authorities and tourism industry after the previous RTO was disbanded four years earlier. Four years later she successfully increased HWT’s local government funding by 50% to broaden the RTO’s activities to also focus on developing and managing the destination. Prior to the Waikato, Kiri was the Development Manager at Tourism New Zealand, responsible for assisting New Zealand’s tourism industry to deliver on the 100% PURE brand promise. This involved liaising across government agencies and assisting regions and sectors with strategy and experience development. From 2003-2007 Kiri successfully developed and managed the implementation of a $3.5m New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) funded Major Regional Initiative (MRI) in Northland focused on improving the performance of the region’s tourism sector, and working with communities along the Twin Coast Discovery Highway to capture benefits from visitors. Kiri has held governance roles in tourism, economic development and education, and is currently a director of Waikato Institute of Technology (Wintec) and Trustee of Te Awa River Ride. Kiri is passionate about the role destination management plays in enabling a more sustainable, resilient, inclusive and productive system and sector that delivers value for visitors and residents alike.

Sanchia Jacobs - CEO Central Otago District Council

Sanchia is an experienced public service leader whose career has traversed the globe, primarily in international, economic and operations roles. She has worked in both central and local government - a New Zealand diplomat and trade negotiator prior to taking up a series of leadership positions at Auckland Council, including as the Manager of Global Partnerships and Strategy, and the senior role of Executive Officer Operations. Sanchia is driven by a desire to effect positive change and leave a legacy for future generations. Her reputation is as a strategic leader committed to building a vibrant local government sector. She is committed to helping design the future of local government – ensuring enhanced service delivery and a forward-looking workforce that is change responsive, and equipped with the right skills for the dynamic environment in which they work.

Nadine Toe Toe - Director of Kohutapu Lodge & Tribal Tours

Nadine Toe Toe is one of three Directors of Kohutapu Lodge & Tribal Tours, a whānau-owned and operated tourism business located in the heart of Ngāti Manawa Tribal Lands in Murupara, with a founding vision to “Change a town through tourism”. Although located in her husband’s tribal lands, Nadine is of Ngai Tai descent, and has harnessed her extensive years of experience and expertise in tourism, social responsibility, and community engagement to create a unique experience that gives back to the tamariki (children) of the area and creates opportunities for travel, growth and development. Kohutapu Lodge & Tribal Tours won the 2019 NZ Tourism Industry Awards’ community engagement category in partnership with Stray NZ – on authentic cultural experiences, creating opportunities for young people. Kohutapu Lodge also hosted the 2018 National Geographic Photo Camp initiative, in partnership with Air NZ, and in 2021 they won the HEG and Eastern Bay Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Award for Community Contribution. Most recently, post the impacts of Covid 19 and border closures, Kohutapu Lodge & Tribal Tours has secured He Poutama Rangatahi Funding to reposition their tourism lodge as a Youth Training Facility during the domestic tourism low season/s, until international borders re-open and tourism recovers. Three 12-week long Manawa Ora Rangatahi programmes will be run onsite at Kohutapu Lodge, and will have a collaborative approach with iwi, hapū, community and other service providers within the immediate and wider region and will become an on-ramp for rangatahi to move to other employment, education or training programmes. Nadine has also recently been appointed to the Air NZ Sustainability Board Panel.

Josie Major - GOOD Travel

Josie’s expertise is in regenerative thinking and practice in a tourism context. She is the New Zealand Programmes Manager for GOOD Travel, a social enterprise focussed on responsible and sustainable tourism, and has undertaken research with them on the future of “good” tourism in Aotearoa. She is the producer and co-host of the podcast GOOD Awaits – The Regenerative Tourism New Zealand podcast, an exploration of a regenerative future for tourism in Aotearoa. Season 2 of this podcast is currently in development with support from UNESCO New Zealand. She is also the Co-founder and Director of The GOOD Travel Foundation, a charitable trust dedicated to education in regenerative practice and global citizenship in the visitor sector. Josie is training as a regenerative practitioner through the Regenesis Institute and has also trained in Regenerative practice and tourism with thought leaders including Anna Pollock, Michelle Holliday, and Bill Reed. She has published an article in the Journal of Tourism Futures - “Regenerative Tourism in Aotearoa New Zealand - A New Paradigm for the VUCA World.” Josie also works as a Research Assistant with Associate Professor Susan Houge Mackenzie, exploring regenerative destination management planning in Aotearoa in relation to community wellbeing. She is a member of the global social enterprise network Catalyst 2030 and also works with the Social Change Collective connecting young kiwis to action-oriented responses to social and environmental justice issues.

Session 3

Donna Purdue - Chief Economist, Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment

Donna has been the Chief Economist at the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) since 2016. In her role, Donna is responsible for leading the thinking on the economic frameworks used to underpin MBIE’s policy analysis, leading and shaping the direction of MBIE’s strategic research programme, and providing monitoring and analysis of key economic trends and their implications for policy advice and regulatory stewardship. Donna has a Bachelor of Social Science with First Class Honours in Economics from Waikato University. Throughout her career she has worked in both the private and public sectors providing practical economic insights to businesses, investors and Government to support their decision-making. Her substantive roles have been in the banking sector working as an economist for Westpac and Kiwibank. Prior to joining MBIE, Donna was a Principal Advisor at the New Zealand Treasury supporting the forecasting and modelling, and macroeconomic and fiscal policy teams.

René de Monchy - Chief Executive, Tourism New Zealand

René de Monchy joined Tourism New Zealand (TNZ) in August 2015 bringing 20 years' global experience in consumer-led businesses including local and international marketing roles for Fonterra and Heineken and Asia Pacific Breweries in Singapore.Prior to becoming TNZ’s Chief Executive in April 2021, René was TNZ’s Interim Chief Executive for four months. Before this, René was TNZ’s Director Commercial. In this role René led a team across 15 offices in 14 countries responsible for identifying key markets and audiences to target for travel to New Zealand. René also led the development of TNZ’s Aviation Strategy to guide partnerships with international airlines including establishing Memorandum of Understandings with major airlines including Air New Zealand.

René is passionate about the tourism sector and active in tourism industry engagement, undertaking regular speaking engagements and panel discussions.René is a member of the following boards and panels:

Tourism Industry Aotearoa
New Zealand Screen Production Grant Significant Economic Benefits Verification Panel
New Zealand Story Board
New Zealand China Council
Qualmark New Zealand Unlimited

Michelle Morss - Strategy and Development Manager, Corporate Services Queenstown Lakes District Council

Currently managing a portfolio that includes Economic Development, Community Partnerships, Risk and Resilience, Climate Action, Spatial Planning, Policy and Performance, Michelle has worked for QLDC for the past six years. She is the primary QLDC liaison for the development of the district’s first Destination Management Plan. Michelle’s focus in the past few years has been on pandemic recovery across the economic, environmental, social and cultural aspects of community wellbeing. With a background in the private sector, she started and grew a group of companies across Asia Pacific, working and living in Australia, Singapore and China. Today she is pleased to call Glenorchy home.

Julie McDougall - TTA-NZ Chairperson

Julie is Chairperson of the Tourism Teachers Association New Zealand. She and a team of passionate secondary tourism teachers with the support of tertiary tourism educators developed the subject organisation with regional branches throughout Aotearoa during 2018/2019. The association supports secondary teachers of tourism, provides professional development and communicates with relevant agencies about curriculum development and requirements. In her role as chairperson Julie communicates and builds relationships with tertiary tourism providers, TEFA, TIA, TNZ, Go with Tourism, tourism industry operators, Service IQ, the newly formed WDC and MoE. The biggest piece of work and achievement for TTA-NZ to this point has been to achieve the milestone of Tourism being added to the New Zealand curriculum for NCEA as a new subject by the MoE last year. Julie is now working alongside colleagues to assist with the development of the Tourism curriculum as a member of the Ministry of Education Tourism SEG. Julie teaches senior Tourism and junior Social Studies students and is Director of Extension Studies and Head of Tourism at Macleans College.

Session 4

Professor Daniel Scott - University of Waterloo

Dr. Daniel Scott is a Professor and Research Chair in the Department of Geography and Environmental Management at the University of Waterloo (Canada) and a Research Fellow at the School of Hospitality and Tourism at the University of Surrey (UK). He has worked extensively on sustainable tourism for over 20 years, with a focus on the transition to a low carbon tourism economy and adaptation to the complex impacts of a changing climate. He has advised and led projects for a wide range of government and tourism organizations around the world, including the United Nations World Tourism Organization, World Bank, and International Olympic Committee, as well as been a contributing author to several Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports.

Professor Susanne Becken - Griffith University

Susanne Becken is a Professor of Sustainable Tourism at Griffith University and the Principal Science Investment Advisor (Visitor) at the Department of Conservation. She holds various other roles, including with the University of Surrey in the UK and Air New Zealand as a member of their Sustainability Advisory Board.

Rod Oram - Business Commentator

Business journalist Rod Oram contributes weekly to Newsroom and Newstalk ZB. He is a public speaker on deep sustainability, business, economics, and innovation. Rod is a member of the Edmund Hillary Fellowship, which brings together people from here and abroad who seek to contribute to global change from Aotearoa. In Citigroup’s annual global journalism awards, Rod was the winner in 2019 in the General Business category in the Australia and NZ region for his columns in Newsroom on Fonterra; and he was the NZ Journalist of the year. In the New Zealand Shareholders’ Association Business Journalism Awards, Rod won the Business Commentary category in 2018 and 2020 for his Newsroom columns. Rod was a founding trustee and the second chairman of Ākina Foundation, which helps social enterprises develop their business models in areas of sustainability. He remains actively involved with the foundation and the ventures it supports.

In 2016, Bridget Williams Books published Rod’s most recent book, Three Cities: Seeking Hope in the Anthropocene, details at bwb.co.nz/books/three-cities In 2020, Rod contributed a chapter to 100% Pure Future: New Zealand Tourism Renewed, https://www.bwb.co.nz/books/100-pure-future/ another BWB Text. In 2021, Rod contributed a chapter on land use, agriculture and food to Climate Aotearoa: What’s happening and what we can do about. This collection of essays was edited by Helen Clark, the former NZ Prime Minister and head of the United Nations Development Programme, and published by Allen & Unwin.

John Barrett - Kapiti Island Nature Tours

John Barrett is the managing director and founder of Kapiti Island Nature Tours- and Nature Lodge, a family operated, multi award winning, tourism business located on one of New Zealand’s premier nature reserves – Kapiti Island. Through his involvement in the tourism industry over the past forty years, and other interactions with Nature tourism, Indigenous and Community based tourism in NZ, Australia, Pacific nations, USA, Canada and, and other parts of the globe- John has broad experience of impacts and opportunities associated with environmentally focused tourism. John also has 35 + years of management and governance experience in a range of private and public organisations, and is currently active as

founding member on the Leadership Council of WINTA- World Indigenous Tourism Alliance-
Recently retired Director of Tourism NZ, NZ’s tourism marketing organisation
Past Chair of NZ Maori Tourism Council
Currently active in Iwi/Tribal environmental management strategy and application.
Member of NZ Government’s Tourism Industry Transformation Plan (TITP) Leadership Group.

Not surprisingly, John’s interests (when time away from family and business permits) are; nature based tourism, Maori and International indigenous tourism development- local/regional economic development- Indigenous higher education and conservation practices and education.