Milford Opportunities welcomes new board chair
Media release
27 September 2023
Milford Opportunities is welcoming a new chair and two new members to join its Ministerial Advisory Board, supporting the project to deliver for Southland and New Zealand.
Board members are appointed by the Milford Opportunities Ministerial Group comprised of the Conservation, Tourism and Transport ministers.
“The Milford Opportunities Project is creating a strategic roadmap to safeguard Milford Sound Piopiotahi and the remarkable visitor experience it offers, for current and future generations,” Milford Opportunities Project Director Chris Goddard said.
“We’re delighted to have secured three new appointments to our Ministerial Advisory Board, bringing with them an incredible depth of knowledge and skill to guide the project.”
“I’m pleased to announce the newly appointed board chair is Queenstown resident Jenn Bestwick. Jenn is the independent chair of Tonkin + Taylor, chair of the Tertiary Education Commission and an Antarctica New Zealand Board member. She is a former independent Director of Invercargill City Holdings Ltd, and Tourism New Zealand Board member.
“Two new board members have also been appointed for their considerable collective skills, said Chris Goddard.
“Arihia Bennett has extensive experience in executive and board roles, has managed two tourism businesses in Fiordland, and has strong connections to te ao Māori. She has been the Chief Executive Officer of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu since 2012.
“Dave Bamford is a respected independent tourism thought leader. He is a consultant on tourism, protected areas and recreation with 40 years’ experience throughout the Pacific and Asia. He has been involved in many planning exercises and reviews, feasibility studies, tourism and recreation business advisories and business start-ups.”
