Venture Taranaki - About Us

Venture Taranaki is Taranaki’s regional development agency, responsible for delivering economic development services and projects, strategic economic growth initiatives and sector growth projects, regional tourism marketing, destination development and promotion, district marketing for New Plymouth district, and the management of New Plymouth District Council’s major event fund.

Venture Taranaki's mission is to drive and facilitate sustainable, diverse economic growth in Taranaki, positioning the region as the place to do business, to invest, to live, to work, to learn, and to visit, and to be recognised as New Zealand’s leading experts in regional economic development. Our vision: Taranaki – the envy of New Zealand for sustainable business, talent, investment and lifestyle.

What is Venture Taranaki?

Venture Taranaki is a Council Controlled Organisation owned by New Plymouth District Council (NPDC). Incorporated as a charitable trust, and charged with helping the region grow, Venture Taranaki operates a leveraged funding model with NPDC funding at its core.

Venture Taranaki Statement of Intent

For the year to 30 June 2020 and the following two financial years.

Board of Trustees

Venture Taranaki is governed by an independent Board of Trustees, responsible for setting the strategic direction of the Trust.

Taranaki Mounga chair and holds numerous governance roles.

Former CEO of TSB with many community and governance roles.

Chief Executive Todd Energy and Vice President, Upstream, Todd Corporation.

Chief Executive of Worley New Zealand and Vice President, E&C Services.

Author, presenter and passionate innovation advocate.

Chair of Parininihi ki Waitotara and has held many senior management roles.

Te Kotahitanga o Te Atiawa Trust CEO and transition and development lead.

Chief Executive

Justine Gilliland

Justine is the chief executive of Venture Taranaki, and is on the boards of Economic Development New Zealand and AGMARDT (Agricultural Marketing, Research and Development Trust). Prior to joining Venture Taranaki, she was Deputy Director-General, Sector Partnerships and Programmes, at the Ministry for Primary Industries. She has held a number of other senior management roles across the public service in innovation, strategy, communications, policy and operations, including as Executive Director of the Royal commission of inquiry into the Canterbury earthquakes’ building failures. She resides in Taranaki with her young family.

Executive Team

Business Advisory Team

The Venture Taranaki Business Advisory team work one-on-one with local businesses to create an action plan that breaks down barriers to growth and success. Your Business Advisor can help identify capability gaps, as well as opportunities for support and funding. These services are free and confidential. If you would like to book an appointment, please contact the team.

Our key partners

New Plymouth District Council

New Plymouth District Council is the owner and primary partner of Venture Taranaki.

Stratford District Council

Stratford District Council is one of the three district councils that govern Taranaki.

South Taranaki District Council

South Taranaki District Council represents the second largest of the region's districts.

History

Helping to grow the Taranaki region for more than two decades.

Venture Taranaki was formed by New Plymouth District Council in 1996, charged with fostering regional economic development. This mandate was expanded by New Plymouth District Council, with the support of Stratford District Council and South Taranaki District Council, to encompass the role of Regional Tourism Organisation and to include management of NPDC’s major events fund in 2004.

About Us

What we do

Our mission & vision

What is Venture Taranaki?

Venture Taranaki Statement of Intent

Board of Trustees

Jamie Tuuta

Kevin Murphy

Dr Joanna Breare

Gillian Cagney

David Downs

Hinerangi Raumati-Tu'ua

Hemi Sundgren

Chief Executive

Justine Gilliland

Executive Team

Michelle Jordan

Vicki Fairley

Lucy Graydon

Dr Anne Probert

Pamela Walklin

Business Advisory Team

Our key partners

New Plymouth District Council

Stratford District Council

South Taranaki District Council

History

Helping to grow the Taranaki region for more than two decades.

About Us

What we do

Our mission & vision

What is Venture Taranaki?

Venture Taranaki Statement of Intent

Board of Trustees

Jamie Tuuta

Kevin Murphy

Dr Joanna Breare

Gillian Cagney

David Downs

Hinerangi Raumati-Tu'ua

Hemi Sundgren

Chief Executive

Justine Gilliland

Executive Team

Michelle Jordan

Vicki Fairley

Lucy Graydon

Dr Anne Probert

Pamela Walklin

Business Advisory Team

Our key partners

New Plymouth District Council

Stratford District Council

South Taranaki District Council

History

Helping to grow the Taranaki region for more than two decades.

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