After five years as Chief Executive of Tāpoi Te Moananui ā Toi | Tourism Bay of Plenty, Kristin Dunne is moving on.

The thought-leading Destination Management Organisation is searching for a leader to step into the significant shoes of Dunne, says Tourism Bay of Plenty Chairperson Laurissa Cooney.

“We’re looking for a star tumuaki (leader) to continue Kristin and the organisation’s outstanding work in delivering for the region,” says Cooney.

Under Dunne’s leadership, Tourism Bay of Plenty has delivered significant outcomes for Tauranga and the Coastal Bay of Plenty, including growth of over sixty-five percent in visitor spend, worth just over $1 billion to the local economy.

A proactive advocate for iwi and hāpu engagement, Dunne inspired the co-created strategic plan, Te Hā Tāpoi | The Love of Tourism, that she leaves as a legacy.

“Kristin’s leadership has been particularly inspiring as the region faced crises in Whakaari | White Island and COVID-19. 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,” says Cooney.

“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,” says Cooney.

Current Tourism Bay of Plenty trustee Oscar Nathan will step down from the board to fulfil the acting leadership role until 1 July 2021 while searching for a permanent Chief Executive.

Nathan notes the organisation is 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,” says Nathan.

Nathan says the recent launch of ‘Te Whānau Tāpoi ō Tauranga Moana’ by Associate Tourism Minister Peeni Henare as an example of this (pictured above).

“This is an Aotearoa | New Zealand-first collective of Māori tourism experiences that are now on offer in Tauranga Moana. This collaborative work is an absolute credit to Kristin and her team, and the commitment and passion they have for the region,” says Nathan.

But it is not goodbye just yet. Dunne will see out a three-month notice period in a part-time capacity, helping to conclude several projects while the executive search is undertaken.

“On behalf of the Tourism Bay of Plenty Board and staff, I would like to express our gratitude to Kristin, and we wish her and her whānau all the best for the future,” says Cooney.

• Content supplied by Tourism Bay of Plenty.