Venture Taranaki Trust
- Posted: 09 Oct 2025
- Location: New Plymouth
- Work Type: Full Time
- Classification: Executive & general management
Mō tēnei mahi / About the role
Te Puna Umanga Venture Taranaki is the regional development agency for Taranaki. We champion innovation, enterprise growth, investment, regional promotion, and events, all with the goal of building a resilient economy that supports the well-being of our people and environment. Guided by Tapuae Roa, we’re committed to creating a future-focused, low-emissions regional economy.
We are seeking a visionary and collaborative General Manager – Destination to lead our destination portfolio and sector partnerships, with responsibility and oversight for the Taranaki Convention Bureau, Taranaki Film Office, facilitation of the New Plymouth major Events Fund, the Venture Taranaki Communications and Marketing function.
As a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will provide strategic leadership and advocacy to strengthen and future-proof Taranaki’s visitor economy. You’ll bring together iwi, industry, government, and community stakeholders to deliver a coordinated approach that maximises benefits for people and place, while supporting the diversification of the wider Taranaki economy.
Mō mātou / About us
As the regional development agency for Taranaki, Te Puna Umanga Venture Taranaki are working to build a thriving Taranaki economy that supports the growth and prosperity of our region’s people and environment alongside our economy. We support local entrepreneurship and enterprises to grow, promote our region and attract visitation, talent, and investment, and help to develop and establish our sectors.
We achieve this through sectoral support initiatives, business growth services, regional promotions, and strategic projects and planning, working across the organisation, and with our numerous partners and stakeholders to deliver on our regional strategy and vision Tapuae Roa.
Based in the heart of Ngāmotu New Plymouth, our team of around 28 people work with stakeholders across a wide range of industries and sectors, local and national government, community groups, iwi, and individual enterprises.
With a strong and inclusive culture, we offer a modern, open working environment, positive work-life balance and flexible working, and investment in your growth and development.
We are also proud to be embarking on becoming a Te Tiriti-led organisation, and the GM Destination will both value and be committed to contributing to this vision, and their own development as tangata tiriti.
Ngā kawenga matua / Key responsibilities
Provide strategic direction to grow a high-value, resilient visitor economy.
Lead and deliver key regional strategies, and deliver impact and outcomes across a range of regionally significant initiatives.
Advocate for Taranaki’s interests with central government, local councils, and our shareholder.
Build strong partnerships with iwi, industry, and communities to unlock opportunities and create shared outcomes.
Contribute as a trusted member of the Senior Leadership Team, influencing organisation-wide direction and impact.
Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako / Skills and experience
You are an experienced leader with proven ability to shape strategy, influence stakeholders, and unite diverse groups around a shared vision. You will bring a level of confidence, reflective of your deep experience and background as a senior leader, and the ability to hit the ground running in a dynamic local landscape, with national complexity and influence. You will bring:
Senior leadership experience in the visitor economy, events, or related sectors.
Strong strategic thinking and advocacy skills, with credibility at the highest levels.
Cultural competency and the confidence to partner meaningfully with iwi and Māori organisations.
The ability to interpret insights, connect the dots, and translate complexity into clear strategy.
A collaborative and empowering leadership style, with a track record of building high-performing teams.
A deep connection to Taranaki, or a genuine passion for contributing to the region’s future, will be a strong advantage.
Tono ināianei/ Apply now
If you are excited about the prospect of contributing to the success of Venture Taranaki and possess the skills and passion for this role, we want to hear from you.
Please click on the Apply button to submit an application, including your CV and a cover letter.
Applications close 5pm Sunday 26 October 2025.
To view the position description, please visit https://www.taranaki.co.nz/assets/Uploads/Position-Description-GM-Destination-2025.pdf
Employer questions
Your application will include the following questions:
Which of the following statements best describes your right to work in New Zealand?
Te Puna Umanga Venture Taranaki is the regional development agency for Taranaki. We champion innovation, enterprise growth, investment, regional promotion, and events, all with the goal of building a resilient economy that supports the well-being of our people and environment. Guided by Tapuae Roa, we’re committed to creating a future-focused, low-emissions regional economy.
We are seeking a visionary and collaborative General Manager – Destination to lead our destination portfolio and sector partnerships, with responsibility and oversight for the Taranaki Convention Bureau, Taranaki Film Office, facilitation of the New Plymouth major Events Fund, the Venture Taranaki Communications and Marketing function.
As a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will provide strategic leadership and advocacy to strengthen and future-proof Taranaki’s visitor economy. You’ll bring together iwi, industry, government, and community stakeholders to deliver a coordinated approach that maximises benefits for people and place, while supporting the diversification of the wider Taranaki economy.
Mō mātou / About us
As the regional development agency for Taranaki, Te Puna Umanga Venture Taranaki are working to build a thriving Taranaki economy that supports the growth and prosperity of our region’s people and environment alongside our economy. We support local entrepreneurship and enterprises to grow, promote our region and attract visitation, talent, and investment, and help to develop and establish our sectors.
We achieve this through sectoral support initiatives, business growth services, regional promotions, and strategic projects and planning, working across the organisation, and with our numerous partners and stakeholders to deliver on our regional strategy and vision Tapuae Roa.
Based in the heart of Ngāmotu New Plymouth, our team of around 28 people work with stakeholders across a wide range of industries and sectors, local and national government, community groups, iwi, and individual enterprises.
With a strong and inclusive culture, we offer a modern, open working environment, positive work-life balance and flexible working, and investment in your growth and development.
We are also proud to be embarking on becoming a Te Tiriti-led organisation, and the GM Destination will both value and be committed to contributing to this vision, and their own development as tangata tiriti.
Ngā kawenga matua / Key responsibilities
Provide strategic direction to grow a high-value, resilient visitor economy.
Lead and deliver key regional strategies, and deliver impact and outcomes across a range of regionally significant initiatives.
Advocate for Taranaki’s interests with central government, local councils, and our shareholder.
Build strong partnerships with iwi, industry, and communities to unlock opportunities and create shared outcomes.
Contribute as a trusted member of the Senior Leadership Team, influencing organisation-wide direction and impact.
Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako / Skills and experience
You are an experienced leader with proven ability to shape strategy, influence stakeholders, and unite diverse groups around a shared vision. You will bring a level of confidence, reflective of your deep experience and background as a senior leader, and the ability to hit the ground running in a dynamic local landscape, with national complexity and influence. You will bring:
Senior leadership experience in the visitor economy, events, or related sectors.
Strong strategic thinking and advocacy skills, with credibility at the highest levels.
Cultural competency and the confidence to partner meaningfully with iwi and Māori organisations.
The ability to interpret insights, connect the dots, and translate complexity into clear strategy.
A collaborative and empowering leadership style, with a track record of building high-performing teams.
A deep connection to Taranaki, or a genuine passion for contributing to the region’s future, will be a strong advantage.
Tono ināianei/ Apply now
If you are excited about the prospect of contributing to the success of Venture Taranaki and possess the skills and passion for this role, we want to hear from you.
Please click on the Apply button to submit an application, including your CV and a cover letter.
Applications close 5pm Sunday 26 October 2025.
To view the position description, please visit https://www.taranaki.co.nz/assets/Uploads/Position-Description-GM-Destination-2025.pdf
Employer questions
Your application will include the following questions:
Which of the following statements best describes your right to work in New Zealand?