Hamish Saxton

Hamish Saxton is the CEO of Hawke’s Bay Tourism.

He grew up on a farm near the famous Moeraki Boulders in North Otago, before moving to Dunedin to attend the University of Otago.

A job at the Dunedin Visitor Centre to assist with paying tuition fees led to a career in tourism.  Hamish has worked for wholesale travel companies (Mount Cook Line, TravelMarvel/NZTP), led two other regional tourism organisations (Wanaka, Dunedin), had marketing management roles (Southern Encounter Aquarium of Discovery, Canterbury Museum), run his own tourism businesses (TalkWalk Toronto, The Settlers Dunedin, Hamish Saxton Consulting) and consulted to a variety of tourism businesses (Dunedin Airport Ltd, Destination Queenstown, Fleurs Place, Bella Vista Accommodation Network).

He is interested in Sunday drives, destinations, art, trees, cooking and eating (no particular order).  He owns a rumpty crib on The Pigroot.

Ben Hutton

Ben Hutton is Marketing Manager of Hawke's Bay Tourism and is responsible for the development and delivery of Hawke's Bay Tourism's annual marketing plan, including oversight of consumer campaigns, event marketing, digital channels, and brand management.

Prior to joining Hawke’s Bay Tourism, Ben worked in marketing and communications roles across a number of businesses in the visitor economy including World Masters Games 2017, Auckland Zoo, New Zealand Maritime Museum, Air New Zealand and SkyCity Entertainment Group.

Liz Grossman

Liz is Hawke's Bay Tourism's Partnerships Manager and is responsible attracting and growing business to Hawke’s Bay through the Trade & Business Events sectors. She does this by maximising the region's representation in global channels, working with local operators on product offerings, and by leveraging partnerships such as Classic New Zealand Wine Trail (CNZWT), eXplore Central North Island and Tourism New Zealand.

Hilary Nyberg

Hilary Nyberg is the Events & Membership Coordinator and is responsible for delivering Hawke's Bay Tourism's owned events, including F.A.W.C! Food and Wine Classic, as well as working with local councils to support events across the region. Hilary also looks after our members with their listings and general enquiries.

Hilary has worked in events for the past 15+ years, predominately in the UK with a global beverage alcohol company before returning to New Zealand.

Since arriving in Hawke’s Bay in 2020, she has enjoyed exploring the region by getting out on the walking trails and sampling the delicious food and wine on offer. 

Lisa Sampson

Lisa Sampson has been the Finance and Administration Coordinator at Hawke’s Bay Tourism since 2015 and is responsible for company's finances and general office management.

Lisa has a strong background in finance, working in this arena for more than 15 years both in New Zealand and abroad.

Having lived in Hawke’s Bay most of her life, Lisa is very passionate about the region and loves working in an office that showcases the amazing food, wine and experiences the region has to offer. Now raising a family of three boys, Lisa finds Hawke’s Bay the perfect place to live and work. 

Rachel Campbell

Rachel Campbell joined Hawke's Bay Tourism on contract to lead the Food and Wine Project, to substantiate and develop Hawke's Bay's regional positioning as New Zealand’s Food and Wine Country. With Hawke's Bay being admitted to the Great Wine Capitals Global Network in May 2023, Rachel's role has evolved to lead our efforts - alongside local and international network partners - to leverage the GWC status for the region's benefit.

Rachel has a degree in Human Nutrition and has worked within food industry for more than 20 years. From marketing and product development for local iconic business Wattie’s; to support of our smaller businesses through the food and beverage programme run by the regions’ economic development agency, Rachel has good connections with our local producers and suppliers. This makes her well placed to facilitate initiatives that will further connect and promote our Hawke’s Bay food and wine offerings to visitors. 

Molly Rose Nilsson

Molly is the Marketing Coordinator for Hawke's Bay Tourism and is responsible for the day-to-day management of our digital channels including websites and social media, as well as the production of our visitor guides, maintaining our brand and assets library, and events marketing activities.

Prior to joining Hawke’s Bay Tourism, Molly worked with Hastings District Council establishing their destination social media channels.

Molly is currently on maternity leave.

George Hickton

George Hickton is Chair of the Hawke's Bay Tourism Board.

George has been involved in a wide variety of businesses during his career and is now actively engaged as a Director and Consultant for a number of Tourism and Film related Companies.

Along with Hawke's Bay Tourism, George is Chair of Weta Workshop and Kapiti Island Nature Tours, and Director of Te Puia Rotorua’s iconic Maori Cultural Experience. He also consults on leadership and orgaisational development for a range of public and private CEO’s.
George spent 10 years as Chief Executive of Tourism New Zealand and during that time was responsible for establishing New Zealand’s '100% Pure' marketing campaign.

Prior to joining the Tourism Industry, George was Chief Executive of the New Zealand TAB for four years, where he was responsible for its major rebranding and expansion into sports betting.
He came to the TAB after six years in the core public service, having established both the New Zealand employment and income support services (now known as WINZ).

Prior to joining the public service, George spent 23 years in the motor industry in a wide variety of roles his last being Sales and Marketing Director for Honda NZ.

In 2012 he was inducted into the New Zealand Marketing Hall of Fame. In 2016 he was a recipient of the Sir Jack Newman award, New Zealand Tourism’s highest award for outstanding industry leadership.

Kristine Larner

Kris Larner serves as Chair of Hawke’s Bay Tourism Industry Association and brings a strong passion for the tourism sector in Hawke’s Bay.

As the General Manager of Porters Boutique Hotel, she is deeply engaged in the visitor industry. Her career includes a range of management roles across New Zealand and Melanesia within the hotel and tourism sectors.

Originally a visitor to Hawke’s Bay, Kris quickly recognised the region’s unique appeal and soon decided to make it her home.

Dave Simmons

Dave has an extensive career in the  travel and tourism industry, having held senior exec roles working across all major international markets and across a number of industry sectors, including Airlines, Vehicle Rental, Tour operations, Travel Agencies and Travel Technology.

Dave now holds a number of governance and advisory roles in the travel and tourism sector.  

Sophie Siers

Sophie Siers is a current board member of Hawke's Bay Tourism and an elected representative for Hawke's Bay Regional Council.

Sophie was elected to HBRC in 2022, having previously been an elected representative for Hastings District Council from 2019-2022.  Sophie and her husband are coastal hill country farmers at Waimārama using regenerative-organic methods and established their first Hastings business, The Organic Farm Butchery, in 2003.

Sophie also writes and publishes books through her company Millwood Press, including a book to celebrate the first 20 years of the Hawke's Bay Farmers' Market.

Kristine is the Head of People and Hospitality at Craggy Range Winery, where she leads the Human Resources, Hospitality and Direct to Consumer wine sales strategies.  Prior to this, she held senior leadership roles with InterContinental Hotels Group across New Zealand and Australia.

Kristine is also active in the industry, serving on the Industry Advisory Boards of Pacific International Hotel Management School and EIT – School of Hospitality and Tourism. Additionally, she is the Vice President of the Hawkes Bay and East Coast Branch of Hospitality New Zealand.

A proud Hawke’s Bay native, Kristine is passionate about the wine, tourism, and hospitality industries and how they can collaborate to enhance the region.

Kristine Larner

Kris Larner serves as Chair of Hawke’s Bay Tourism Industry Association and brings a strong passion for the tourism sector in Hawke’s Bay.

As the General Manager of Porters Boutique Hotel, she is deeply engaged in the visitor industry. Her career includes a range of management roles across New Zealand and Melanesia within the hotel and tourism sectors.

Originally a visitor to Hawke’s Bay, Kris quickly recognised the region’s unique appeal and soon decided to make it her home.

Megan Harris

Megan Harris is a current board member of the Hawke's Bay Tourism Industry Association and has been on the Board since 2014.

With almost two decades working in and alongside the tourism sector, Megan has gained invaluable experience, understanding and insight into the industry. She is committed to seeing the entire industry work together for the greater good of the region’s economy and each individual business.

Megan is passionate about Hawke’s Bay as a place to live and work, and as a fabulous visitor destination. 

Rebecca Tacon

Rebecca Tacon is a current board member of the Hawke's Bay Tourism Industry Association.

Born and bred in Hawke's Bay, Rebecca owns and runs an event management company called Planit Events, as well as a hospitality temping agency called Planit Staff.

Rebecca returned home to Hawke's Bay, after a period travelling and living abroad, with a genuine love for the hospitality and events industry and has been involved in both these industries now for 15 years.  Rebecca has a genuine passion for Hawke's Bay and loves being involved in the Tourism Industry here.

She is married, with two small children who keep her on her toes.

Sophie Phillips

Sophie is a current board member of the Hawke's Bay Tourism Industry Association.

For the past 10 years she has been the General Manager for Gannet Safaris Overland - winner of the Small Allied Operator of the Year Award at the 2024 TECNZ Operator of the Year Awards.

Sophie is extremely passionate about tourism, hospitality and especially Hawkes Bay as region.   Being brought up in rural Havelock North and traveling overseas for several years, Hawkes Bay was always going to be where her and her family would settle.

She is very much looking forward to adding her knowledge to helping Hawkes Bay grow and support our industry wherever possible.

Steve Gregory

Steve Gregory is a current board member of the Hawke's Bay Tourism Industry Association.

Steve is Manager Business & Tourism for Napier City Council, managing some of the region's key visitor experience facilities including National Aquarium of New Zealand, Napier i-SITE & Par 2 Mini Golf, Napier Conferences & Events, Ocean Spa, Kennedy Park Resort, McLean Park and Napier Aquatic Centre.

Katie Silcock

Katie Silcock is a current board member of the Hawke's Bay Tourism Industry Association.

Katie has been the General Manager of Scenic Hotel Te Pania since 2021, and is currently the Central Park Regional Accommodation Chair under the TIA and HCA organisations

She is passionate about the Hawkes Bay, eager to contribute to its success and now settled here for the long-term.

Kristine Kilpatrick

Kristine is the Head of People and Hospitality at Craggy Range Winery, where she leads the Human Resources, Hospitality and Direct to Consumer wine sales strategies.  Prior to this, she held senior leadership roles with InterContinental Hotels Group across New Zealand and Australia.

Kristine is also active in the industry, serving on the Industry Advisory Boards of Pacific International Hotel Management School and EIT – School of Hospitality and Tourism. Additionally, she is the Vice President of the Hawke's Bay and East Coast Branch of Hospitality New Zealand.

A proud Hawke’s Bay native, Kristine is passionate about the wine, tourism, and hospitality industries and how they can collaborate to enhance the region.

James McMenamin is a co-opted Board member and is currently part of the tourism team at Hastings District Council, with responsibility for the Hastings and Havelock North i-Sites and Visitor Experience.

James has extensive hospitality experience both here and overseas and joined HDC in 2022 after 10 years working for the Robertson family at Cape Kidnappers. He splits his spare time between tending to his lifestyle block in Sherenden with his wife, and exploring the Kaweka Ranges fly-fishing with his son.