Jason was born in the U.K and emigrated to New Zealand when he was 7 years old and grew up in rural communities in the North and South Islands. He majored in Marketing and Japanese at university where he started his tourism career as a tour guide for foreign language student groups. Fast forward and Jason has an extensive network in the tourism industry having held a variety of senior roles over 25 years including Head of Auckland Tourism, Regional Manager Japan and Korea for Tourism New Zealand based in Tokyo, and General Manager Marketing at Christchurch and Canterbury Tourism.
He is currently Chair of Destination Hauraki Coromandel, and a director of Tongariro Tourism and Ngai Tai Ki Tamaki with previous governance roles with Tourism Bay of Plenty, AUT School of Tourism and Hospitality, Chair of the Association of National Tourism Organisations in Japan (ANTOR), New Zealand Cruise Association, I-Site NZ, and Pacific Asia Travel Association board (PATA).
He spends time between Auckland and Tokyo and enjoys fishing, boating, walking, and all things Japanese.
jason.hill@tourism-talent.com
Dylan is co-founder of Tourism Talent and has been passionate about helping young New Zealanders understand the opportunities that tourism careers can bring for a long time. He was a founding board member of YoungTEC NZ and was the organisation’s chair for two years.
When leaving high school Dylan’s career options were limited due to his lack of interest in the traditional school curriculum. He managed to find his way into tourism as a kitchen hand and in awakening his practical side, has had a highly successful 25 years in the industry he loves. He went on to gain a Bachelor of Tourism from the University of Otago and worked his way up through the hospitality sector into senior management roles in Auckland for 8 years, where he undertook executive roles with SKYCITY Entertainment Group and then Heritage Hotels.
Dylan relocated with his family to Central Otago in 2018, where he is currently the General Manager of the regional tourism organisation, and Dunedin Venues Management Limited. Dylan is a regular mentor to the YoungTEC professional development program.
dylan.rushbrook@tourism-talent.com
Nuwanthie is based in Singapore and also the CEO of ICE, an early in careers people consultancy firm specialising in designing, delivering and developing schemes for organisations looking to build talent pipelines for the future. ICE utilise analytics, experience and industry insights in conjunction with the support of technology to challenge and drive new thinking.
She believes that young and aspiring individuals represent the future of the organisational environment and will be responsible for driving the seismic shift in both workplace culture and functionality that we will begin to witness emerge over the coming years.
Originally from the US Kelly now proudly calls New Zealand home. Kelly has over 19 years experience in the hotel and hospitality industry including 4 years as Area Manager for Expedia NZ where she led strategic rebound initiatives post-Covid. Kelly has a Master's of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management and a background in food and beverage, hotels, and travel-tech, and brings boundless energy and a dedication to enhance both individuals and businesses.
kelly.dodd@tourism-talent.com
Anna has held diverse sales and marketing roles within the tourism and hospitality sector for over 20 years, working in local government, regional tourism organisations, international hotel groups, luxury lodges, public relations offices, and the oil industry.
Anna led the Auckland Convention Bureau (ACB) for over 14 years, playing a key role in its establishment. She grew the ACB footprint with two Australian based business development managers and launched the Auckland Advocate Alliance program (New Zealand’s first business events ambassador program) and formed the Auckland International Business Events Advisory Group.
Anna has previously held the role of Chair of the New Zealand Convention Bureau and was the recipient of the BEIA NZ Outstanding Achievement Award 2018 for her services to the sector.
Anna is passionate about helping the business event and tourism sectors thrive and has a broad network of contacts in New Zealand and internationally.
anna.hayward@tourism-talent.com
Troy has spent more than 20 years managing in some of Asia’s most exciting hotels for Hyatt International & Ritz-Carlton Hotels in Japan, Bali, China, New Zealand, Saipan and Taiwan, has now has his own hospitality management company – Katalyma Hotels and Hospitality as well as being a director of Tourism Talent Japan
He started as a Corporate Trainee for Hyatt International, moving through to restaurant management, Banquet and Catering, and divisional and hotel operations management. Opening hotels for both chains became his specialty, performing lead roles in over 10 hotel openings throughout Asia and Europe before becoming GM of Bulgari Hotels & Resorts – Tokyo Restaurants, where he oversaw the Japan operations for the luxury brand including Michelin starred restaurant, cafes, boutique chocolate production business and wedding and function venues.
He is Deputy Chair of Hospitality New Zealand and chairs the Auckland accommodation sector group, advisory board member of Crown Institute of Studies. He spends his time between Auckland, Fukuoka, and Tokyo.
Natalie recently joined the Tourism Talent NZ team, though you may notice her surname is familiar and she has been an ‘informal’ part of the team since day one.
While recently she has been an at home mum to two young boys, Natalie like many tourism people has been keen to get back in and use her skills from previous roles in recruitment, sales, administration and event management, and is the perfect compliment to the team.
Often the first point of contact for candidates, Natalie quickly puts people unfamiliar with our processes at ease with her relaxed professional manner.
info@tourismtalent.co.nz
Finding tourism expertise at the required level Tomahawk needs has always been a challenge, that is until Tourism Talent launched. For two years we tried to fill a role through ‘traditional’ HR firms, Seek and other channels but came up with no one, or expensive mis-hires. TT’s ability to find the perfect candidate for our team has played a significant part in our company’s growth.
Gina Paladini
Tomahawk, Marketing Director
“We were looking for expert support in recruitment and Tourism Talent certainly delivered. They took the time to fully understand the roles and delivered candidates that were exactly who we were seeking. I was particularly impressed the service was end-to-end, relieving time and resource pressure making recruitment efficient and effective. I would be delighted to use Tourism Talent for future recruitment.”
Catrin Allsop
Chief Executive Officer
"Tourism Talent made the whole process as easy as possible for me by providing excellent support, information, insight, and general advice. His follow up and professionalism was something that I particularly appreciated - thanks Jason and Tourism Talent"
David Blackmore
GM Agrodome (Candidate)
"Jason and the team were fast and responsive. They immediately understood who we were looking for, and the vision we had for the role. We wanted to recruit all the short listed candidates they were such a good fit for our team, and representative of our values."
Jo Allison
GM Corporate Services – Ngai Tahu Holdings
“We had an excellent experience with Tourism Talent and would definitely recommend their services. They go deliver an extremely professional service and is very warm and personable, going above and beyond.”
Management Committee
"Tourism Talent found the perfect candidate after a thorough process of due diligence and they thoroughly understood the brief and matched the right candidate to the role we were seeking. Handing the process to them gave me peace of mind to know recruitment was in good hands whilst allowing me to focus on my busy role."
Pip Close
General Manager
“I found Tourism Talent extremely supportive, they have the knowledge, experience, and relationships in the industry to find the opportunities that work for you. Communication is outstanding and they really do know what they are doing and they will work with you through the entire process. I think you guys are awesome and you were such strong support through such a tough time for our industry. Thank you.”
Mary Tolley
Head of Destination Management - Tourism Bay of Plenty (Candidate)
"We approached Tourism Talent seeking a solution to a problem. We needed a champion, we needed someone that could take us in a new direction, and they absolutely delivered. The expertise and strength of their process gave us immense the confidence."
Sean Marsh
General Manager Sales and Marketing - Te Puia
"Working with a recruitment company for the first time, we engaged Tourism Talent to assist with three senior positions. Their deep experience in tourism enabled them to grasp our needs and they presented a curated shortlist of high-calibre candidates. We wouldn’t hesitate to work with them again."
Rob Young
CEO, Exclusive Travel Group
WAITOC had an excellent experience with Tourism Talent during our recent recruitment. From the initial outline of our requirements, through until the final letter of appointment, the process was professional and timely, keeping us informed of the progress at all stages. Even though not a typical tourism role, everything we asked was easily managed.
Julia Tolj
Operations Manager - WAITOC
