Tauranga City Council has welcomed five new board members to three of its council-controlled organisations (CCOs), following a competitive selection process that drew 46 expressions of interest.
The new appointees are:
Mary-Anne Macleod – Director, Bay Venues Limited. A seasoned governance leader and Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Directors, Ms Macleod brings over a decade of experience from organisations like the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, AgResearch, and the New Zealand Transport Agency.
Clare Swallow (pictured, left) – Director, Bay Venues Limited. Clare, a Bay of Plenty local, is a strategic thinker with a people-first approach. A Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors, Ms Swallow offers a wealth of experience across public and private sectors, with strengths in innovation, marketing, and customer experience.
Dave Guruge (pictured, right) – Trustee, Tauranga Art Gallery Trust. Mr Guruge is a passionate advocate for the arts and community wellbeing. A Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors, he serves on boards including Tauranga Girls’ College and the Epilepsy Association of NZ.
Meghan Fleming – Trustee, Tourism Bay of Plenty. Ms Fleming brings extensive experience in tourism, sport, and marketing to the Tourism Bay of Plenty Board. Currently the General Manager Commercial & Marketing at the Chiefs Rugby Club, she has held senior roles with NZSki and Air New Zealand, leading destination marketing and strategic partnerships. She also brings governance experience from national sports organisations and tourism bodies.
Brian Staunton – Trustee, Tourism Bay of Plenty. Mr Staunton’s global career in tourism, aviation, and tech has taken him across the Asia-Pacific region, working with tourism boards, operators, and government agencies. A Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors and Certified Management Consultant, he brings deep expertise in strategic growth and regenerative tourism.
Each will officially step into their roles today and serve a three-year term alongside existing board members.
Tauranga City Council’s CCOs deliver services and manage assets on behalf of Council and the community, often with a commercial or strategic focus. These CCOs are also focused on their long-term priorities which includes sustainability, financial efficiency, regional collaboration, community engagement, innovation and digital transformation.
“The calibre of applications we received was nothing short of outstanding. Each one reflected deep professionalism, strong governance skills, and a heartfelt commitment to public service. It’s truly inspiring. I’m looking forward to working alongside our new board members as we continue to serve our communities with integrity and purpose,” said Mayor Mahé Drysdale.
Western Bay of Plenty District Council and Tauranga City Council jointly control Tourism Bay of Plenty (TBOP). Western Bay Mayor, James Denyer, expressed his confidence in the new additions.
“Meghan and Brian have extensive experience in the tourism sector and bring strong governance skills to the table. Their strategic insights and understanding of the tourism economy will enrich the Board’s collective strengths. Their appointments reflect our commitment to ensuring our tourism strategy aligns with the aspirations of our region and its people,” says Mayor Denyer.
Bay Venues, Tauranga’s largest CCO, manages over 20 key community facilities – from Baywave and Mount Hot Pools to Mercury Baypark and local halls. The organisation plays a vital role in enriching community life through sport, recreation, and events.
“The quality of applicants made shortlisting incredibly difficult. Mary-Anne brings deep governance and project delivery experience, along with a strong leadership background. Clare offers bold thinking, innovation, and stakeholder engagement expertise – skills that helped shape Tourism Bay of Plenty in her previous role as Deputy Chair. Together, they’ll help us stay commercially focused while delivering top-tier community services to the residents of Tauranga,” said Bay Venues Chair, Simon Clarke.
Tauranga Art Gallery Trust (TAGT) owns and operates the Tauranga Art Gallery – toi Tauranga, on behalf of the residents of Tauranga and the Western Bay of Plenty. Its mission is to engage, educate and inspire residents and visitors alike.
Rosemary Protheroe, TAGT Chairsays: “Dave’s passion for the arts, combined with his governance experience and community insight, will be a tremendous asset. We’re thrilled to have him on board as we continue to grow the Gallery’s reach and impact.”
TBOP takes a lead role in enabling sustainable growth of the visitor economy in the coastal Bay of Plenty in ways that benefit the whole community.
Russ Browne, TBOP Chairsays: “Both Meghan and Brian have a deep understanding of our region’s unique tourism landscape. Their wealth of governance expertise, strategic insight and extensive stakeholder experience will be invaluable as we continue to grow a sustainable visitor economy that delivers real value to our communities and visitors alike.”
For more information about Council’s CCOs, visit: www.tauranga.govt.nz/cco.
