After five years as chief executive of Tourism Bay of Plenty, Kristin Dunne is moving on.
Under Dunne’s leadership, Tourism Bay of Plenty has delivered significant outcomes for Tauranga and the Coastal Bay of Plenty, including growth of more than 65 percent in visitor spend, worth just over $1 billion to the local economy, the organisation said in a recent statement.
An advocate for iwi and hapu engagement, Dunne inspired the co-created strategic plan, Te Ha Tapoi | The Love of Tourism, that she leaves as a legacy and Tourism Bay of Plenty chairperson Laurissa Cooney said she was leaving behind “significant shoes” to fill.
“Kristin’s leadership has been particularly inspiring as the region faced crises in Whakaari/White Island and Covid-19,” said Cooney. “The Board of Tourism Bay of Plenty wish to thank Kristin for her unstinting effort to create a visitor economy that regenerates our people and place. We appreciate
Kristin has not made this decision lightly. While we are sorry to see her leave us, we respect her decision and thank her for all she has helped achieve for the destination.”
Current Tourism Bay of Plenty trustee Oscar Nathan will step down from the board to fulfil the acting leadership role until July 1, while searching for a permanent chief executive.
Nathan said the organisation was in great shape to keep delivering its strategic plan. “The team at Tourism Bay of Plenty are a talented bunch of people, fiercely dedicated to what they do, and extremely passionate about the region.”
