New CEO for Kaiteriteri board

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A new chief executive has been appointed to run the Kaiteriteri Recreation Reserve Board — which manages holiday spot’s popular camping ground, store, motels and cafe.

David Ross was announced as the board’s new head Wednesday afternoon after serving three years as a business development manager at the Department of Conservation.

He will replace Rob Guild who has been in the role for 26 years.

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Kaiteriteri Reserve Board CEO David Ross.

Reserve Board chair Chris Hawkes says David brings a rich array of professional and personal experience in conservation, sustainable development and outdoor recreation, as well as a strong business leadership and marketing background both in New Zealand and internationally.

“We’re delighted to have been able to attract a person of David’s calibre. He brings the dual strengths of a clear environmental philosophy and track record together with strong commercial skills and rigour. These attributes will be critical in leading the next phase of the reserve’s strategic development. Preserving Kaiteriteri as a safe, family-friendly outdoor recreation area while meeting our commercial, conservation and cultural imperatives will require innovative thinking and proactive leadership, and we are very confident David will bring that to the role.”

Chris says that balancing the many interests of the reserve’s multiple stakeholders, managing the large fluctuations in visitor numbers year-round, and implementing the reserve’s major redevelopment plan were among the many challenges of the job.

“This is a highly demanding role and I would like to acknowledge the work of the previous reserve manager, Rob Guild.  David will be building on Rob’s considerable achievements over that time.

“The major challenge now is to go forward with a relatively new team to future-proof the Reserve’s value and build the next chapter of our unique story, making Kaiteriteri a truly outstanding place to visit, explore, play, work and live,” says Chris.

The board is currently in stage two of its redevelopment of land it manages, which includes a new general store located on a similar footprint to the old store with around eight motel units above. Stage one of the redevelopment was completed in November last year and included a new administration block with reception, offices, first aid room, staff amenities, a caretaker’s flat and a conference room for up to 50 people.