With a passion for travel, tourism and promoting Rotorua, Te Puia's newest marketing recruit, Mary Tolley, has already hit the ground running in the build-up to TRENZ.
Ms Tolley joined the Te Puia sales and marketing team from Rotorua adventure tourism operation Agroventures, and would be looking after some ofTe Puia's key western markets, including the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, youth and education markets.
Ms Tolley's appointment followed the exit of Renata West, who left Te Puia to take up a role with Tourism New Zealand in Los Angeles.
Te Puia general manager sales and marketing, Kiri Atkinson-Crean, said Ms Tolley was a strong addition to the team and comes with particular experience in the Australian, youth and education markets.
"We have a wealth of experience in the team and [she] adds to that. She is also a fluent Portuguese speaker, which will be a great asset to both ourselves and our clients, particularly with the work we are doing in South America across the Tuku Iho exhibition and associated trade and tourism work. It's great to have her on board."
With Te Arawa, Tuhourangi, Ngati te Roro O te Rangi, Ngati Uenukukopako, Ngati Rangiteaorangi, Ngati Whakaue and Ngati Raukawa whakapapa (genealogy), Ms Tolley was looking forward to her new role.
"I'm excited about my new role at Te Puia, it's a new challenge for me.
"The organisation itself is diverse and there is always something new to talk about," she said.
