Tourism board changes

Several changes have ushered in fresh blood on the board of the Tourism Industry Association.

Norm Thompson, Air New Zealand's group general manager of short-haul airlines, has been appointed chairman, replacing Geoff Burns, who stands down after five years in the role.

Burns remains a director, representing the tourism services sector.

The new deputy chairman is Malcolm Jones, chief executive of bus company InterCity, and new directors are Jill Birch of Sky City, Chris Black of Mt Cook Hotel chain and Karine Thomas who runs a marketing and PR firm.