New Chair of Tourism Board appointed

NZPA

Thursday 11th August 2011 1 Comment

Prime Minister John Key today announced that Kerry Prendergast has been appointed Chair of the New Zealand Tourism Board for a three year term.

The New Zealand Tourism Board, trading as Tourism New Zealand (TNZ), markets New Zealand as a tourism destination.

The current Chair, Greg Muir, is not seeking re-appointment following the completion of his three-year term in July.

Kerry Prendergast is the former Mayor of Wellington and former Vice-President of Local Government New Zealand.

Key says Prendergast has the skills needed to lead the board in the effective promotion of tourism in New Zealand.

"Kerry is dynamic and focused, with a passion for New Zealand that is the number one requirement in this position. She also has board experience and is a great communicator."

Prendergast is currently Chair of the Environmental Protection Authority, the New Zealand International Arts Festival Trust, and also the Wellington Jazz Music Festival Trust.

She also holds an MBA specialising in Marketing and Strategy and has extensive experience in promoting Wellington as a tourist destination.
Key says he is confident Prendergast will be a great asset to the tourism sector and looks forward to working with her in his role as Tourism Minister.

Comments from our readers

On 12 August 2011 at 12:56 pm Ian L said:

Hmmm, we have to careful with this appointment! Prendergast and her husband Rex Nicholls are both very self-interested people! This was very apparent when Prendergast was Wellington Mayor, and clearly favoured the "entrepreneural" interests of the big-noting property developers in Wellington, of which her husband was one.