Contact

For bookings and questions about your trip to the West Coast please contact any one of our information centres

www.westcoast.co.nz is managed by Development West Coast.

Development West Coast is the Regional Tourism Organisation for the West Coast.

Development West Coast is supported by a team of professional, experienced and friendly staff. Staff can give you information and advice on the range and type of services DWC provides, or put you in touch with the right organisation for more specific matters that DWC does not directly deal with. All matters will be dealt with in the strictest confidence. Contact our team on 0800 768 0140 or info@westcoast.co.nz

Development West Coast Team:

Executive Staff:

HEATH MILNE

Chief Executive Officer

Prior to joining DWC in January 2020, Heath was the General Manager of ANZCO Foods UK Ltd, based in London.

Heath was born on the West Coast. His career with food giant ANZCO also started here until he relocated to London in 2007 to head up its subsidiary business in the United Kingdom and Europe.

While having extensive knowledge and experience in the primary industry, Heath also brings a strong business acumen and proven leadership, coupled with a deep enthusiasm and a deep-rooted passion for the West Coast region.

BELINDA LUNN

Executive Manager

Belinda has been with Development West Coast since May 2002. A significant part of Belinda’s position is managing the governance support and policy functions for the Trust and supporting the CEO. In addition to these roles, Belinda also oversees various IT, administration and marketing functions, and works across the organisation to promote collaboration and consistency in the day to day operations of the Trust.

Economic Development:

JO BIRNIE

Economic Development Manager

Prior to joining DWC, Jo spent the last 11 years as the owner and Principal Consultant for a Business and HR consultancy working with both SMEs and the public sector.

Jo has undertaken project/programme and change management positions across many agencies in the public sector and has worked with a wide range of SMEs, including many businesses on the West Coast as part of the Regional Business Partner Network.

Born and educated in the UK, Jo moved to New Zealand in 2002, living between the South Island and Wellington, spending a lot of time on the West Coast.

FIONA HILL

Capability & Growth Manager

A former owner of a successful local business, with extensive customer service and administration skills, Fiona is one of DWC's Business Development Managers. Fiona assists businesses that are keen to grow and innovate by connecting them to people, opportunities and resources including access to the support available through the Regional Business Partner Programme.

IAN JOHNSON

Capability and Growth Advisor

As a manager, CE, owner-operator and consultant in the tourism, hospitality and leisure and fitness industries, Ian has actively explored every opportunity to exceed the expectations of ‘the customer’. Ian loves the business of doing business, almost as much as he loves the West Coast. As Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton famously observed, “There is only one boss. The customer. And he can fire everybody in the company from the chairman on down, simply by spending his money somewhere else.”

HELEN WILSON

Research & Innovation Manager

Helen Wilson leads research and development into industry growth working across projects as and where needed. With eleven years’ experience in a variety of roles within the organisation Helen has built up a good understanding of the Trust Deed and its ability to benefit the region.

JIM LITTLE

Regional Tourism Manager

Jim Little joined Tourism West Coast in 2012 and has since migrated the tourism function to Development West Coast. Jim has worked in marketing departments with multinational companies, advertising agencies and Destination Lake Taupo and Tourism Bay of Plenty before coming to the West Coast.

LOUISE WOODBURN

MICE Executive

Louise markets the West Coast as a meetings, incentives, conferences, and events (MICE) destination. She works with local operators to maximise MICE opportunities and organises and hosts familiarisation tours to showcase the region. Louise works with professional conference organisers, event planners, groups, and organisations to bring their events to the West Coast.

ALICIA ULRICH

Tourism Marketing Assistant

Alicia organises and hosts familiarisation tours, tourism events and attends trade events to promote the region. She updates the Official Visitor Guide and Trade Manual. Alicia updates the yearly tourism factbook with all facts, stats and figures that will assist tourism businesses. Alicia is involved in relationship management with local operators and the trade industry.

Finance and Administration:

STUART BROWN

Chief Financial Officer

Stuart has fond memories of the South, being born in Otago and attending Lincoln University in Christchurch. After working in Matamata for 12 years in Finance, Stuart travelled to the UK and then worked in Canada and USA for 8 years. Stuart relocated to Australia leading the finance for large international ASX listed mining companies.

Stuart is very pleased to be returning home after a lengthy period away and brings a commercial focus to the role of CFO for Development West Coast, He will be ensuring that compliance is maintained allowing for an agile approach to business support.

He is looking forward to working with the wide range of businesses on the Coast and supporting the finance strategies that will help them thrive.

DAYLE MCMILLAN

Commercial Lending Manager

Dayle joined the team at Development West Coast in May 2018 and manages DWC's commercial lending function. Dayle has significant finance industry experience in business and management positions and brings with him local knowledge as a born and bred Coaster.

TONY GIBSON

Accountant

Tony joined Development West Coast in June 2018. He has had a wide range of tax and accounting experience in roles with Government Agencies, Chartered Accountancy firms and privately-owned business over many years. Tony is employed as accountant which incorporates finance and management accounting for both DWC and its subsidiaries.

AMANDA HOPKINS

Accounts Assistant

Amanda joined Development West Coast in January 2018. Amanda has experience in running a successful local business, which has given her the skills for the varied tasks encompassed in the Accounts Assistant position.

ADMINISTRATION

TARA COATES

Administration Officer

Tara has been with Development West Coast since September 2010. Tara provides administration support to the wider DWC team and oversees the smooth running of the office. Other tasks include minute secretary, client administration, Advisory Body support and providing a friendly welcome for all visitors to the office.

RACHEL DOOLAN

Programme Coordinator

Rachel joined the team at Development West Coast in November 2017. Rachel co-ordinates projects including DWC's business events including promotion, registrations and event logistics, as well as coordinating training and development programmes. Rachel also performs a variety of administration tasks including, travel arrangements and website updates.

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS

AARON REES

Marketing & Communications Officer

Aaron joined the team at Development West Coast in October 2017. He has experience running a successful business overseas, as well as academic training in Development Studies.

VYVIENNE KYLE

Digital Engagement Officer

Vyvienne brings a solid understanding of both traditional and digital marketing. Having a skillset of relationship building to drive and positively engage communities, Vyvienne is our community builder, from a digital perspective.

Physical & Postal Address

1st Floor, 54 Tainui Street,
PO Box 451
Greymouth
New Zealand

Ph +64 3 769 7000