Whanganui & Partners: our economic development agency

Jonathan leads Whanganui & Partners and heads the agency's engagement with its Board, Whanganui District Council, and the public. He is responsible for guiding Whanganui & Partners' strategic direction and supporting the team to achieve at a high level. Jonathan has two decades of marketing management experience through managerial positions at AXA and Rank Group in the UK and more recently as Head of Marketing at UCOL.

Nilesh's role is integral to the smooth running of Whanganui & Partners. She makes sure our team is operating efficiently and with focus. Her organisational and administrative skills ensure we get the most impact out of our work and she is a wealth of knowledge on all things relating to Whanganui District Council and local body government processes.

Emma works directly with artists and creative workers to make Whanganui a place where creatives thrive. She has been working in the arts for two decades, as an artist, consultant, curator and advocate. She is deeply involved in the local arts community and has been a member of the Public Art Steering Group for the Whanganui District Council, the Keynote Speaker for the CoLab glass conference in 2019 and co-founder of the Whanganui Small Publishers Group.

Suz works directly with local business owners and sole traders to help them achieve their business goals. She advises on new business ideas, staffing, location, product development, markets and more. Suz initiates programmes to engage and support the business community and to attract businesses and investment to Whanganui. Suz has iwi/hapū affiliations with Ngāpuhi, Waikato-Tainui, Tuwharetoa, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Whitikaupeka, Te Āti Haunui-a-Pāparangi, Ngai Tukairangi and Ngāti Pahauwera. Suz formally worked at Massey and has extensive experience in research and mentoring. She is also on the Kellogg Rural Leaders Programme.

Colleen works with agribusiness stakeholders to develop strategies and initiatives that will develop our region into a food and fibre powerhouse. Colleen knows the rural sector through experience as both a regional councillor and involvement with the business side of dairy farming. She regularly facilitates sessions to help rural people increase their profitability, add to their knowledge base and connect with those within and associated with the agricultural sector.

Simon helps get new businesses off the ground. Simon has more than ten years of experience in the field of business start-ups and operates several businesses of his own. He is passionate about business growth, increasing business efficiencies and helping business owners realise their potential. Simon connects Whanganui businesses with the Regional Business Partners network.

Rach works closely with education providers and industry to make sure that the right training and educational opportunities are available to build the skills that our economy needs. Rach loves taking on big challenges and is passionate about helping people realise their potential. Prior to joining Whanganui & Partners, Rach held the title of Manager of Sustainable Funding and Innovation at Te Manawa in Palmerston North. She has also worked for UCOL Whanganui and was pivotal in the establishment of the Te Pae Tata - Ruapehu Community Learning & Tech Hub, in Ruapehu.

Paul works with our tourism operators and regional partners to lift the value of the visitor economy in Whanganui. He produces and contributes to publications and guides promoting Whanganui and leads Whanganui's Regional Tourism Organisation. Paul wants visitors to love their time in Whanganui and wants to see the visitor industry thrive, and our local economy do so along with it. Paul has years of experience working in the tourism industry in New Zealand and internationally. Paul also has line management of the i-SITE team.

Rebecca oversees the promotion of Whanganui as well as managing our event fund. She ensures Whanganui's profile continues to be raised positively and meaningfully and builds Whanganui's reputation as a destination to visit, live, study and invest. Rebecca also leads the agency's media engagement. She has extensive media experience in editing, journalism, social media moderation and newspaper production.

Billie is responsible for overseeing the running of our busy isite. She is an expert on what to do, see, and where to stay in Whanganui. She makes sure visitors have the very best experience possible when they come to the isite and leave with the intention of returning to Whanganui again. Billie has been working in the visitor industry for most of her career and is proud of the isite's overwhelmingly positive user feedback.

This role works with the Strategic Lead - Visitor Industries in delivering important projects supporting sustainable tourism and tourism product development. The Project Manager - Tourism communicates with multiple agency partners, stakeholders and the public. Madison formerly held a Marketing Executive contract for Whanganui & Partners and has local body government experience in media management, marketing and promotions.

Charlotte is responsible for providing day-to-day operational, financial and administrative support to the Whanganui & Partners team. Charlotte works closely with the Executive Assistant & Administration Manager to make sure Whanganui & Partners' administration runs smoothly.

Hannah is currently on a period of parental leave (ending Sept 1, 2023). In her CE role, Hannah heads the agency's communications with the Board, Whanganui District Council, and the public. Hannah is responsible for guiding Whanganui & Partners' strategic direction and supporting the team to achieve at a high level. She has a strong understanding of key sectors and has well-established relationships with industry, local and central government agencies, and across the broader Manawatū-Whanganui region. Hannah is Chair of the Whanganui District Employment Training Trust Board and a Board Member of Economic Development New Zealand, and a Board Member of Sport Whanganui.

Tim is currently on a year-long sabbatical related to his involvement in the NZ Army Reserve Forces. As Strategic Lead - Business, Tim works directly with local business owners and sole traders to help them achieve their business goals. He advises on new business ideas, staffing, location, product development, markets and more. Tim initiates programmes to engage and support the business community and to attract businesses and investment to Whanganui.

Pahia Turia is from the Ngā Wairiki, Ngāti Apa, Whanganui and Ngā Rauru Kī Tahi whakapapa. He has been involved in Māori community development in the areas of health, justice, education and social housing for a number of years. Pahia holds a number of directorships on boards throughout the country. He and his wife Njela own local businesses and have a keen interest in residential and commercial property.

Gaelle has previously been a resident and has relocated back to Whanganui as she has family in the region. Gaelle has an MBA from Southern Cross University, Australia and was previously CE of Manukau City’s economic development agency. She brings with her a wealth of experience in economic development and in-depth knowledge of central and local government processes and policies in economic development, employment, community and business development. Gaelle has strong governance experience and currently holds trustee positions with two community organisations delivering social services to their communities.

Stephen Lee is currently General Manager of Manuka Farming NZ Ltd. Prior to this he held positions in foreign affairs, trade and marketing. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting and Marketing from the University of Canterbury. In his current role, he reports to the Board of Directors of Manuka Farming. He has also held the position of Chair of the Shepherd’s Arms Foundation, a charitable trust which runs a children’s home in the Philippines.

Anne-Marie was born and raised in the Whanganui region and has extensive experience in sustainability, innovation, business development, management and growth. An experienced Maori Land Development Consultant, Anne-Marie served on the Ministerial Advisory Panel for the Maori Land Service in 2017. She also served on the Taranaki-Whanganui Conservation Board for six years and was the Kaiwhakahaere (General Manager) of the Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi Post Settlement Governance Entity – Te Kaahui o Rauru for over five years.

Phillip Bedford is a former CEO of the New Zealand International Commercial Pilot Academy. Prior to this, he was Commanding Officer at the base headquarters at Ohakea. He has an MBA (with distinction) from Massey University and was involved in the initial working groups relating to the Regional Growth Study, which was then formalised as Accelerate 25, the Manawatu-Whanganui Economic Action Plan. He has held executive-level management positions and served in governance roles including as a Trustee of the RNZAF Welfare Fund, Chair Base Leadership Group Ohakea, and as a Trustee of the Carncot Independent School.

Michelle is Director and Marketing Strategist at Destinate NZ Ltd. She has more than 25 years of experience working in New Zealand tourism, including on iconic destinations and activities such as Huka Jet, Rainbow Springs, and Mt Ruapehu ski fields. Michelle also has more than 10 years of experience in governance roles in the tourism sector. Michelle’s focus is centred on the people who create and seek out the visitor experience. Michelle is highly skilled in marketing, strategic planning, team leadership and relationship building, product and brand development, business development and event management.

Mark is CEO of Massey Ventures Ltd, a commercialisation and venture investment business. He has more than 20 years of experience in the research and education sectors and has held a number of governance roles for companies in the agri-tech and robotics fields. Mark is passionate about research and innovation and is the co-founder of Aero Sports Protection Ltd. He has also helped a number of technology-based start-ups become successful businesses. Mark has experience on boards and trusts related to education and disability support. Mark has experience on the board of the former Manawatū economic development agency, Vision Manawatū.