About Venture Timaru
"Timaru District - THE PLace to Live and do Business"
Venture Timaru is the economic development agency for the Timaru District. We're passionate about the Timaru District and we are committed to working with individuals, businesses and industry sectors to grow the profile and well-being of this great District.
Whether you are already here or keen to discuss why you should be - contact us today as we'd love to have the chat on why you should be living, working, studying, doing business and investing here.
Our three key pillars of priority are:
- To attract and assist new business
- To maintain and attract a skilled workforce
- To encourage new opportunities and facilitate growth for existing businesses.
We are currently working on:
- Leading a steering committee engaged by the Timaru District Council to investigate the feasibility of a Town Centre Management Group, or similar, to address identified issues and opportunities.
Driving a collaborative Regional Workforce Initiative - As the result of a detailed labour market survey across five industry sectors, the need has been identified for local businesses to be more actively engaged within and between industry sectors to tackle workforce issues head on. The survey highlighted the need for:
- Improved management of skills shortages by identifying seasonal demands, utilising transferable skills and increasing the pool of workers available
- Enhanced connection between businesses and secondary & tertiary providers to better inform our youth of local career opportunities and pathways for further education.
- Understanding and addressing businesses training and development needs via improved communication with, and knowledge of, all local training providers’ and staffing companies’ offerings.
- Recognition of the skills and knowledge of those in our workforce who are at or near retirement age and how business and community organisations can better utilise this resource”
AD is now facilitating the establishment of Business Connection Groups (BCG’s) to proactively address these key findings.
- Progressing the “telling Timaru’s story” with 3-4 key local partners on providing a consistent message on why the Timaru District is THE Place to Live and Do Business.
Establishing and building key strategic partnerships with relevant people, businesses and agencies both locally and nationally that can ultimately benefit the district, the communities and our people.
As the district's economic development agency, Venture Timaru is your first point of contact for new business development, looking to invest, study or simply learn more about what this great part of New Zealand has to offer you, your family and your business.
We encourage you all to take a closer look at the Timaru District.
Meet the Team:
Nigel Davenport
Chief Executive,
nigel@aorakidevelopment.co.nz
Nigel has over 30 years experience in the financial services sector and brings a varied set of business skills, knowledge and networks to the role of Chief Executive. Having first-hand experience as a business owner through to various governance roles and involvement with a number of community organisations enables Nigel to fully understand the challenges and opportunities facing new and existing local businesses. He serves as a board member on Sport Canterbury, Independent Chairman of Scarlett Hydraulics Ltd (one of NZ’s leading hydraulics companies), Independent Advisory Board Chairman of 100% Pure New Zealand Honey (NZ’s largest privately owned exporter of manuka honey) and is the Mayoral Trustee (past Chairman) of the Aoraki Foundation.
A born and bred South Cantabrian he is passionate about the region and doing his bit towards making this an even better place to live and do business.
Di Hay
Operations Manager, di@aorakidevelopment.co.nz
With a background in communications and marketing, Di has worked in print and radio journalism, public relations, marketing and on-air presenting for commercial radio. She has also been involved in establishing and running two retail businesses, specialising in importing goods. Di holds a Graduate Diploma in Business Studies and Certificates in Journalism and Adult Teaching.
Julie Loffhagen
Office Manager, Julie@aorakidevelopment.co.nz
Julie joined the team in December 2013. Julie has come to Venture Timaru with 10 years tertiary education experience, working as an Account Manager in the Regional Education Programmes Faculty at Aoraki Polytechnic. Julie is a graduate of the Diploma in Business and Diploma in Human Resources.
Alice Gray
Financial Controller
BCA, CA, alice@aorakidevelopment.co.nz
Alice has been an accountant since 1978 and enjoys working with clients to provide timely advice. Alice previously tutored Business Studies at the local polytechnic for approximately 20 years, heading the department in latter years. She thoroughly enjoyed passing on her extensive knowledge of Business Studies. Alice specialises in accounting, tax and small business profitability.
Rhonda Boles De Boer
Accounts Administrator, rhonda@aorakidevelopment.co.nz
Rhonda joined the Venture Timaru team in early 2010.Her current role involves managing the day to day accounting required for Venture Timaru. Prior to joining the team, she worked as a Office Manager in the automotive sectors. Rhonda holds a National Certificate in Travel Consultancy Level 2 and the New Zealand Diploma in Accounting.
Venture Timaru Board of Directors
AD board Brian Rae (from left), Mark Rogers, Brett King, George Harper and Nicky Hyslop. Absent: Peter Burt.
Brett King, Fulton Hogan, Board Chair
Brett has been involved in the business sector for over 30 years specialising in business leadership and relationship management. Brett is currently Operations Manager for Fulton Hogan and has been with the company since 2001. He joined the Venture Timaru Board in October 2010. Brett is involved in various governance roles for local not for profit organisations. He is contractual advisor to the South Canterbury Hockey Turf Trust, a life member and past Chairman of the Canterbury West coast region of NZ Red Cross as well as being a past member of the National Board.
Nicky Hyslop, McFarlane Rural Business, Deputy Chair
In partnership with her husband Jonty, Nicky owns and farms Levels Estate, an intensive sheep, beef and arable irrigated property on the outskirts of Timaru. She has worked for 20 years in the sheep, beef & deer industry as a registered farm advisor, predominantly with Macfarlane Rural Business, based in Ashburton. In 2003 Nicky joined Levels Plain Irrigation Company as a director and in 2006 was elected Chairman. In 2006 Nicky became a director of Opuha Water Limited (of which Levels Plain Irrigation Company is a shareholder). Nicky is also Chair of Irrigation New Zealand.
George Harper, Lynn River George has been involved in the business sector for over 25 years. In 1985, after 13 years of living and working in Auckland, George returned to Geraldine where he is currently CEO/Director of Lynn River, a company specialising in the distribution of gloves and safety products throughout New Zealand and Australia. Previously George worked as Business Development Manager at RX Plastics in Ashburton, a position he held for 10 years. He was also a director on the RX Plastics board for several years. George currently serves on two other boards in the agriculture sector and joined the Venture Timaru Board in October 2010. Over the years George has had ongoing involvement within the local community and has served on the boards of South Canterbury Cricket, Waihi School and the Geraldine Rugby Club.
Brian Rae, Solaray Technology
Brian is involved in many local businesses holding directorships with Solaray Technology, Wild Berry Café, Riverstone Media, and he has a small sheep & cattle farm between Temuka and Pleasant Point. Brian and his wife Sarah run Solaray Technology, supplying and installing on and off grid solar power systems and LED lights. He is also the Commodore of the Lake Tekapo Power Boat & Water Ski Club.
Mark Rogers, Paul Smith Earthmoving
Mark is the Crown Appointed Director on the Board of Dunedin International Airport Limited and CEO at Paul Smith Earthmoving. He is a member of the Institute of Directors in New Zealand and Member of the New Zealand Institute of Management. Mark has a broad background in governance, senior management, finance, operations and health and safety, and is experienced in commercial and local authority spheres. Mark holds a BA (Hons) in Political Science.
Peter Burt, Timaru District Council representative
Peter Burt is the Timaru District Councillor serving on the AD Board and is health and safety compliance officer for Paul Smith Earthmoving. He served 21 years in the New Zealand Police and retired as the Officer in Charge of the South Canterbury Criminal Investigation Branch. He was a national director on the New Zealand Police Association and the NZ Police Welfare Fund. Peter received the Queen Service Medal in 2000 for his service in East Timor with the United Nations in 1999. After leaving the Police, he was managing director of Pellé Care Products, a manufacturing and export company for nine years before selling his interest in the company in 2013. He has held a variety of governance roles – including chairman of the St Josephs Timaru and Roncalli College boards of trustees, and as trustee on the Roncalli Development Trust. C-bay Trust and Aoraki Sports Persons Charitable Trust He has also coached and administrated rugby for the last 14 years, primarily in the youth representative grades.