Applications Open For Council-Controlled Organisations Board Vacancies

Friday, 16 May 2025, 2:03 pm
Press Release: Tauranga City Council

Are you passionate about creating exceptional venue experiences; the visual arts and creative sector; or sustainably growing the Bay of Plenty's visitor economy? If so, board member roles at Bay Venues Limited (Bay Venues), Tauranga Art Gallery Trust (TAGT), or Tourism Bay of Plenty (TBOP) could be a perfect opportunity.

Tauranga City Council is calling for applications for four new board members across three of its council-controlled organisations (CCOs). All new board members will commence a three-year term from 1 July 2025.

Mayor Mahé Drysdale says that the board roles need skilled professionals with ideally strong governance experience who are passionate about delivering great outcomes for Tauranga's residents, with value for money at the core.

"The CCOs are seeking new members who will bring diversity of thought, experience and skills to enhance the existing boards. Tauranga is experiencing unprecedented growth and our CCOs are integral to our ecosystem. If you have what it takes to add value to these high-performing boards, we’d love to hear from you," says Mayor Mahé.

Western Bay of Plenty District Council and Tauranga City Council jointly control Tourism Bay of Plenty.

“CCOs like Tourism Bay of Plenty provide expertise in specialist activities that support and help enrich our communities and the Western Bay of Plenty. Good governance is essential to their continued success, and we’re looking forward to welcoming board members who are ready to make a real difference," says Western Bay Mayor James Denyer.

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Simon Clarke, Bay Venues Chair says that in the six months to 31 December 2024, Bay Venues welcomed over a million visitors across its facilities network and delivered 40 significant events and 37 sporting and aquatic tournaments. “Bay Venues has also achieved significant partnerships with mana whenua and the University of Waikato and has been a key partner in the Haumaru Sport & Recreation Centre project. The Board is seeking a director to enhance and deliver on Bay Venues’ KPIs, create new partnerships and provide strategic direction. Strong governance experience, knowledge of community facilities and services, a proven record of project delivery, and financial prudence are essential," says Simon.

Rosemary Protheroe, TAGT Chair, says: "The Gallery team has been preparing for the re-opening later this year, delivering exceptional art experiences, educational programmes and art talks, and securing new commercial partnerships. This is an exciting time for a new trustee to join the Board. We seek someone well-connected to the local arts community, with links to local artists, arts patrons and art organisations. Governance experience, HR, and coaching skills would also be valuable," says Rosemary.

Russ Browne, TBOP Chair, says this is an extremely busy time in the tourism sector. “TBOP continues to support the cruise sector, with nearly 100 ships visiting in FY25; and leadership roles in cultural and sustainability initiatives including the Native Nations Indigenous Youth Exchange and the Ōmanawa Falls project. TBOP is award-winning, having received the 2024 Tourism Award for Industry Collaboration and Alignment for Flavours of Plenty, and was a finalist for the Green Room sustainability programme. The Board seeks two new trustees with extensive tourism industry experience, who are well-connected locally with key partners and stakeholders across the Bay of Plenty region. Legal and HR experience are also desirable," says Russ.

Council’s CCOs are ultimately accountable to Tauranga's residents. They actively work in partnership with Council, mana whenua, and the community to achieve great outcomes and deliver value for money with fewer resources. The following information outlines the purpose of the three CCOs seeking new board members.

Organisation	Purpose	Summary
Bay Venues	To connect the community through exceptional experiences by providing the best venues for Tauranga.	Bay Venues is Tauranga City Council’s largest council-controlled organisation and plays a major role in creating value for Tauranga and enriching the lives of its people, now and into the future. Bay Venues manages and operates more than 20 venues, providing a high standard of sport, recreation, event and exhibition facilities, programmes and services to the community. These include Mercury Baypark, Mount Hot Pools, University of Waikato Adams High Performance Centre and Baywave, and a number of community centres, halls and pools. The Board of Directors is responsible for developing and delivering the strategic and financial management of the company, as well as overseeing the management of Bay Venues’ assets and resources.
Tauranga Art Gallery Trust	To create exceptional art experiences that engage, inspire, challenge and educate through exhibitions, public programmes, and events.	TAGT owns and operates the Tauranga Art Gallery – toi Tauranga, on behalf of the residents of Tauranga and the Western Bay of Plenty. The Board of Trustees are responsible for developing and delivering the Gallery’s strategic goals, overseeing the management of the Gallery’s assets and resources, and for ensuring prudent financial management to ensure long-term sustainability.
Tourism Bay of Plenty	To promote the economic welfare and development of the Western Bay region and its community through destination marketing, destination management and other related activities which impact on the region as a visitor destination.	Tauranga City Council and Western Bay of Plenty District Council are joint shareholders of this CCO. TBOP takes a lead role in enabling sustainable growth of the visitor economy in the coastal Bay of Plenty in ways that benefit the whole community. The Board of Trustees is responsible for the direction of this organisation including developing and overseeing Tourism Bay of Plenty’s Visitor Economy Strategy and monitoring financial performance and achievement of key initiatives and objectives.

Applications close at 5pm on Friday, 23 May 2025, with interviews being held on 9, 11, and 12 June 2025. For more information, including the job ad, please visit www.tauranga.govt.nz/cco. Tauranga City Council’s Appointment of Directors to Council Organisations Policy can be found here.

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