Rotorua Tourism Committee
The Rotorua Tourism Committee was constituted by the Rotorua District Council on the 29th August 2010 to ensure growth in tourism thereby creating economic benefit for the Rotorua community. At its core mandate the Tourism Committee helps to ensure an active working partnership between the Council and the tourism industry that enables effective decision making on key issues relating to tourism industry marketing and development.
The Tourism Committee supports the Rotorua District Council and its regional tourism organisation – Destination Rotorua Marketing, and are tasked with promoting innovation and fresh strategic thinking to assist Rotorua retain and build on its position as New Zealand's first and premiere tourism destination. The outputs of this are a yearly business plan and facilitation of the Ten Year Tourism Development and Marketing Strategy as a supporting document for the Council Long-term Council Community Plan.
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Current committee members
- Tony Marks (Chairman)
- Maureen Waaka
- Bruce Thomasen
- Kiri Atkinson-Crean
- Brett Marvelly
- Fiona Suurenbroek
- Tim Cossar
- Oscar Nathan
Tony Marks (Chairman)
Tony Marks grew up in Bath, England, won a scholarship to Harvard, ran a rock band good enough to play with Stevie Wonder, got All American recognition in soccer and managed an honours degree in history and economics. Having tried engineering, Tony decided he was a better salesman and has been in sales and marketing all his working life, working in England, the USA, Venezuela and New Zealand, largely for multi - nationals such as Kraft Foods, Carter Holt Harvey, Air New Zealand, Zespri and Virgin Blue.
Retiring at 61, Tony became a professional independent Director and holds, or has held, directorships in a variety of food companies, airlines, tourism organisations, jetpack manufacturers and local bodies. He relishes the intellectual challenges posed by each organization and is determined to try to help in the attainment of a more prosperous future for Rotorua.
Maureen Waaka
I am Rotorua born and bred from Ohinemutu, and of Te Arawa from Ngati Pukaki o Ngati Whakaue and Ngati Turumakina o Tuwharetoa. I grew up with Maori Culture, St Faith's choir, kappa haka youth clubs, Guide Rangi and Guide Kiddo's concert groups, and tourism opportunities. If I had commissions from all the photos on postcards, biscuit tins, playing cards, calendars, adverts and promo's, et al, I would be on easy street today!
My life has been embellished with tourism from a young age not as an extension but as an integral part of my life. As Miss New Zealand I took NZ tourism forward in a coast-to-coast hook up to 40 million viewers, and TV shows. I led the first ever Australian "Tiki" promotional marketing tour. I am the Inaugural President of Maori in Tourism and launched the concept nationwide. I served as a member of the NZ Tourism Council. I have been in business at the former THC Rotorua International Hotel, Whakarewarewa, former Centra Hotel Rotorua, former Park Heritage Rotorua Hotel, former Heritage Rotorua Hotel, now the Holiday Inn Rotorua Hotel, for over 35 years, delivering the original consistent high standard hangi and concert product. Although the Council representative I also bring my expertise and vast experience to support the Tourism Committee.
Bruce Thomasen
Bruce is the general manager of Skyline Rotorua and has worked within the tourism industry, primarily in Rotorua for over 25 years in varying roles including Hotels, Tourism Rotorua and Skyline Enterprises.
His recent assignments with Skyline Enterprises were based offshore in Canada, Singapore and development work in South Korea, Italy and Spain.
Kiri Atkinson-Crean
Kiri is the general manager of sales and marketing for Te Puia and also owns and operates a boutique Maori accommodation property at Kawaha Point.
She has 17 years of tourism experience in Rotorua including regional destination marketing, branding and communications roles.
She has also held senior roles in sales, marketing, strategy, operations and management for commercial tourism companies in Rotorua.
Brett Marvelly
Brett Marvelly has owned Princes Gate hotel in Rotorua for 25 years and he has also owned and operated apartments and an estate.
He was also the chairman of the Rotorua Hoteliers Group for three years.
Fiona Suurenbroek
Fiona Suurenbroek is chair of the Rotorua Association of Motels and owner/operator of local motel Cedarwood Lakeside Holiday Resort. Prior to moving to Rotorua in 2009 Fiona worked in the corporate sector with Converga New Zealand and in banking.
Tim Cossar
Tim Cossar is chief executive of Maori cultural centre Te Puia and previously headed both the Tourism Industry Association of New Zealand and the QEII National Trust. Before leaving Rotorua for Wellington in 2001 he held roles with the Rotorua District Council as Tourism Rotorua general manager and as economic and business development manager.
Oscar Nathan
Oscar is the general manager of Destination Rotorua Marketing. He is also the deputy chair of the NZ Tourism Industry Association, board member of the NZ Hospitality Standards Institute, council member of Waiariki Institute of Technology, business advisor with Poutama Trust and a board director with The University of Waikato.
Oscar says he has been extremely fortunate to have been in the private sector, learning and working with a great array of people and organisations from New Zealand and abroad, allowing him to bring a range of new skills, experience and perspectives to his role with Destination Rotorua Marketing.
