Three key appointments have been confirmed for the Tourism Bay of Plenty board by Tauranga City Council and Western Bay of Plenty District Council.

The appointments follow the retirement of current Board Chair, Laurissa Cooney, and Trustee Gwendoline Keel, who have both served a maximum two terms on the TBOP Board.

TBOP Deputy Chair Russ Browne is reaching the end of his first three-year term and has been appointed Board Chair for a further three years, to April 30 2026.

Russ has extensive governance experience as a Director at PKF Tauranga, Chair at Tauhara North Tourism Limited and Chair of TBOP's Audit and Risk Committee.

Janine Tulloch. Photo: Supplied.

Two new and highly-experienced board trustees, Janine Tulloch and Peter Blakeway, have also been appointed to the Board for three years to April 30 2026.

Janine has held various governance roles and has a real passion for tourism, most recently holding the position of Director of Tourism Waitaki.

Peter Blakeway. Photo: Supplied.

Peter also has extensive experience in governance roles and is currently the Academic Leader of tourism and hospitality programmes at Te Pukenga - Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology.

Last year, Peter was awarded the Supreme Award in recognition of his service to the hospitality industry at the Bay Hospitality Awards.

Russ Browne. Photo: Supplied.

Tauranga City Council Commission Chair Anne Tolley says these high-level appointments come at a critical time for the TBOP Board as we move into a post-pandemic world and look at new ways to continue driving visitor arrivals and growth in our region.

'I'm thrilled to welcome in two new board trustees and see Russ Browne move into the position of Chair, to help guide us through this next stage of growth, ensuring visitors continue coming to enjoy our beautiful region.

'I'd also like to acknowledge the retirement of Chair Laurissa Cooney, and Trustee Gwendoline Keel, and thank them for their dedication and tireless efforts during what has been an exceptionally difficult few years for the tourism sector,” says Anne.

Western Bay of Plenty District Council Mayor, James Denyer, also thanks the retiring trustees and welcomes the new trustees onboard.

'Laurissa and Gwendoline have provided strong governance for TBOP through the recent tough times and I have every confidence that Russ, our new Chair, will ensure TBOP continues on a successful path.

'I welcome Janine Tulloch and Peter Blakeway in their new roles and look forward to working with them as part of our wider Council family," says James.

TBOP is a council-controlled organisation, jointly controlled by Tauranga City Council and Western Bay of Plenty District Council, operating within the powers conferred by its Trust Deed.

Russ Browne, Board Chair at Tourism Bay of Plenty
Russ brings extensive governance experience holding a range of directorships locally and nationally in tourism operations and other industry sectors. He also has over 19 years' experience as partner of a local accounting practice PKF Tauranga Limited and a director of the national group PKF NZ Limited.

Janine Tulloch, Board Trustee at Tourism Bay of Plenty
Janine is an experienced director, including a recent role as Director of Tourism Waitaki, a council-controlled organisation. She has also been an Independent Director at Wanacare Limited (community health facility) since 2018. Previous governance roles include Chair NZ Salmon Farmers' Association and Toast Martinborough Ltd. Previously GM Group Finance at Skyline Enterprises, Janine now lives locally, working for Classic Group as CFO.

Peter Blakeway, Board Trustee at Tourism Bay of Plenty
Peter is well known to the tourism and hospitality industry in the Bay of Plenty, having spent the last twenty years in the Bay as a business owner and educator. Peter currently leads the Tourism and Hospitality team on the Windermere campus of Te Pukenga - Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology, as well as being a member of the Academic Board, advisor to Ringa Hora Workforce Development Council and a member of the Steering Group for national tourism education development and delivery. Peter is a board member with Linkt Community Trust, which led the development of Tauranga's first social supermarket in collaboration with Foodstuffs.