Our team 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 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@dwc.org.nz
Chief Executive
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.
Operations
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.
Rachel Doolan
Office Manager
Rachel provides administration support across the DWC team which includes office management, executive support as well as board/committee support across DWC and DWC-led groups.
Helen Wilson
Project Coordinator
Helen has 17 year’s experience in a variety of roles within DWC and has earned accreditation as an economic development practitioner (AcED) and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). These days she is enjoying a little bit of retirement time while continuing to manage some projects within the organisation. In 2024, Helen’s main focus will be managing the Leading Light Business Excellence Awards process.
Katie Baxter
Events Coordinator
Katie joined the team at Development West Coast in June 2021. Katie is your first point of contact for all customers and brings 10 years of customer service experience. She also co-ordinates DWC's business events across the region.
MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS
AARON REES
Marketing & Communications Manager
Aaron joined the team at Development West Coast in October 2017. He has experience running a successful business overseas, along with a Masters Degree in Development Studies.
Having grown up on the Coast, Aaron has a passion for promoting the region as a great place to work, live and play.
Noora Tuikkanen
Digital Marketing and Communications Officer
Noora joined the team at DWC in November 2022. Her role involves developing and implementing effective social media strategies, ensuring high-quality content creation and marketing, and optimising communication channels to be both effective and engaging. Originally from Finland, she has traveled and worked around the world, gaining valuable experience in various industries including tourism, and fitness. She is committed to driving results and making a positive impact both for the organisation and for the wider West Coast community.
Neve Martin
Marketing and Promotions Intern
Neve works alongside Aaron and Noora in the Marketing and Communications team. Neve grew up on the West Coast and after returning from territory study, she enjoys showcasing all the West Coast has to offer for locals and visitors alike.
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 manages DWC;s capability and growth team. 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.
Carolyn Johansen
Capability and Growth Advisor
Carolyn joins the DWC team with over 24 years’ experience in business administration, management, sales, marketing and health and safety across a range of industries and different size businesses.
Carolyn and her husband, Andrew, own a small local business in the agricultural industry. Like most New Zealand businesses they had to adapt and evolve in the current ever-changing environment while trying to support staff and clients as much as possible.
Carolyn is looking forward to establishing solid working relationships with West Coast business owners and their teams and to support them wherever possible within the abilities of DWC. She is a strong believer that no-one knows a business as well as the people who are in it, it’s just a case that sometimes you need an extra set of eyes, or better yet ears, to come up with a plan and get through the hurdles.
Sam Henry
Māori Business Capability Advisor
Sam joined Te Ohu Whakawhanake o Te Tai Poutini in September 2022. Sam has a wealth of experience in business development and business management. He has significant knowledge and experience in large scale project management and community development. He has held senior roles within the Ministry of Māori Development and Inland Revenue. He has previously run his own property portfolio in Auckland and has lectured and taught small business management for Te Waananga O Aotearoa.
Sam is passionate about Māori business development and people and is looking forward to utilising his skills and knowledge to assist Maori business growth in Te Tai Poutini.
Amanda Hopkins
Business Support Facilitator
Amanda joined the team at 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 Business Support Officer position.
Zak Shaw
Project Lead - Nature Economy.
Zak joins the DWC team with 20 years’ experience in adventure guiding, outdoor education and experiential leadership facilitation.
His role at DWC is to assist in enabling the West Coast region to realise the value of its natural resources. Zak works with a broad range of stakeholders to identify and strengthen capability related to conservation and biodiversity restoration.
Raised in Matawai; a rural community inland of Gisborne Zak moved to the West Coast to live in 2012.
Patrick Dault
Destination and Tourism Manager
Patrick’s role is to develop and implement the regional destination management plan; formulating what will be the region’s roadmap for economic, cultural, and environmental development. Bringing together communities, Iwi, government, and local businesses to build the region’s reputation and mitigate the risks to our communities and our environment whilst attracting new residents, businesses, and visitors.
Lara Thomas
Tourism and Events Executive
Lara joined the team at DWC in May 2023. She is a “true coaster” having spent her entire life on the West Coast. While Lara has the desire to travel, she has also visited many countries overseas but is convinced the West Coast is the best place to live. Lara has a strong passion for tourism and events which fits her role perfectly. Her role includes attending tradeshows, arranging and hosting media and trade familiarisation tours across the region as well as promoting the West Coast as the destination for business events.
Prior to joining DWC, she spent eight years in the travel and tourism industry, studying tourism and working at a local i-SITE Information Centre and the past four years as the Community & Events Facilitator at the Grey District Council.
Taylor Tian
Tourism - China Market
Originally from mainland China, I embarked on a life-changing journey with my family to New Zealand in 2015. Coincidentally, I found myself drawn into the vibrant world of tourism shortly after our arrival, a decision that has proven to be one of the most rewarding of my career.
My tenure in the industry commenced with establishing and spearheading the Chinese department for a prominent tourism operator based in Marlborough. Over the years, I've witnessed remarkable transformations in regional awareness and visitor influx. Through strategic initiatives and robust partnerships, Marlborough emerged as a standout destination, earning accolades such as a coveted spot among the top 10 emerging destinations at a prestigious Chinese tourist award in 2019—an achievement that spotlighted Marlborough as the sole representative from New Zealand.
The onset of the pandemic presented an opportunity for me to embark on a new chapter as an independent advisor specialising in the Chinese tourism market, extending my expertise to various regions across the South Island. Leveraging existing networks and alliances with industry stakeholders, I am dedicated to promoting the allure of the Untamed West Coast in the Chinese market efficiently and cost-effectively. Collaborating with neighboring regions amplifies our collective impact and strengthens our outreach efforts as the Chinese tourism market gradually rebounds.
I am committed to assisting the West Coast to navigate the dynamic landscape of the Chinese tourism industry, fostering awareness among visitors, promoting regional dispersal, and facilitating partnerships with key industry stakeholders.
My extensive expertise and resources in this domain are at your disposal. Perhaps you'll even pick up a few Chinese greetings from me!
If you can’t reach me at the other end of the phone, I am probably chasing deer on the hills with my dog, or scouring for cool rocks on the river beds with my adventurous 6-year-old son.
Jade Mahuika
Vocational Coordinator
Prior to joining the DWC team, Jade was the Tertiary/Education Liaison at Tai Poutini Polytechnic in Greymouth and managed the Young Enterprise Scheme Trust on the West Coast. Jade has a great understanding of the Secondary and Tertiary education sector.
Being born and raised on the West Coast, Jade is passionate about supporting and developing opportunities for all rangatahi to achieve success on the West Coast.
FINANCE
Mike Washington
Chief Financial Officer
Mike joined the team at Development West Coast in August 2022. Mike is a qualified Chartered Accountant and has a broad range of experience across multiple sectors.
Having worked for EY in their assurance team, Mike has then spent time with CDC Pharmaceuticals, NZ Police, St Bede’s College and most recently, DairyWorks Limited.
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.
Robyn McArthur
Commercial Lending Manager - Glacier Country
Robyn joined DWC in 2023 and is based in Franz Josef. She brings a diverse range of skills to her role, including Key Account and National Sales management with ANZCO Foods (NZ and UK), Human Resource management (NZ and Australia) with Glassons Ltd and various roles in the Tourism sector. Robyn has also operated her own business. She looks forward to working with businesses in the Glacier Country.
TONY GIBSON
Accountant
Tony joined the team at 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.
Debbie Wilson
Accounts Assistant
Debbie joined Development West Coast in December 2021. Debbie has worked in administration and finance roles for a number of years resulting in a wide range of knowledge and experience which she is looking forward to bringing to DWC.