New Zealand Advisory Group to shape investment on tourism and conservation

New Zealand Tourism Minister Kelvin Davis and Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage have advised that the membership of the group to guide the areas for investment from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) has been confirmed.

The IVL is expected to raise over $450 million over the first five years and its goal is to help enrich New Zealand through sustainable tourism growth, by making significant investments that improve the tourism system.

Minister Davis stated "the Advisory Group plays a critical role in implementing our Government Tourism Strategy by making sure we get the most benefit from the IVL.

“They will provide focus, leadership and expertise to guide the IVL to where it will make the most impact, so our communities, visitors and the environment continue to benefit from tourism.”

Minister Sage explained that the group brings strong governance and investment expertise, and will serve the conservation, tourism and local government sectors well, adding "the IVL Advisory Group will be chaired by Catherine Taylor, who brings significant experience in commercial and government sector governance in a wide range of sectors.

“We’re very confident that this group will provide the guidance and expertise we need that will leave a long lasting legacy for Aotearoa.”

The IVL Advisory Group will meet up to three times a year and their first task will be to advise on the long-term Investment Plan, which is expected to be released in November 2019.

The members of the IVL Advisory Group are:

• Catherine Taylor as the Chair. She is currently a director of Nelson Airport, Deputy Chair of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority and a member of the New Zealand Transport Agency board. She is formerly a member of the Civil Aviation Authority and Director of Crop and Food Research.

• Grant Webster (independent member), Chief Executive of Tourism Holdings Limited. He is a recent Chair of TIA and member of the industry CEO group that has taken leadership over tourism industry funding issues.

• Verity Webber (independent member), General Manager Commercial at Ngāi Tahu Tourism and a NZ Māori Tourism board member. She has expertise in tourism investment and operation, the Māori tourism sector and the interaction of tourism and conservation particularly on Te Wai Pounamu (South Island).

• Kauahi Ngapora as an independent member. Kauahi is General Manager at Whale Watch Kaikōura and has been involved in the tourism and marine transport sectors for 25 years. He is a member of Te Korowai o Te Tai ō Marokura and the Kaikoura Marine Guardians (a Ministerial Advisory Committee).

• Penny Webster as an independent member whose expertise lies in local and central government. She was Auckland Councillor for Rodney Ward from 2010 to 2016, and Mayor of Rodney District from 2007 to 2010.

• Paula Southgate as an independent member who has strong links with local government and its community engagement and relationships with iwi. She served as Chair of Environment Waikato for 15 years until 2016 and is a Hamilton City Councillor.

• Dr Gerry McSweeney as an independent member is a biologist, managing director and co-owner of Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki (West Coast) and Wilderness Lodge Arthurs Pass (Canterbury) that includes Cora Lynn Station Pastoral Lease and Nature Reserve.

• Iain Cossar as a central government representative - General Manager, Tourism - Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

• Bruce Parkes as a central government representative. As Deputy Director General of the Department of Conservation, he is responsible for the visitor and heritage aspects of DOC’s work.

• The new General Manager of Engagement and Partnerships, NZ Transport Agency as a central government representative when they are appointed.

More information about the members of the group can be found at www.mbie.govt.nz/IVL

Image of Shotover Jet courtesy of Ngāi Tahu Tourism