What is the name of your business and where are you based?
Tourism Export Council of New Zealand. Based in Wellington but family live in Whakatane so I do a fair bit of commuting.

What is your role in the business?
Chief Executive.

How long have you been in the tourism industry?
Ooh, hard to say out loud, but 30 years. Started as a housemaid at THC Milford Sound.

What got you into the tourism industry?
Followed my sister who was a hotel receptionist at Milford and seemed like she was having all the fun.

What’s your dream job?
I’m in an excellent place now although never dreamed about it. Perhaps tourism advisor to Minister of Tourism …

What’s something most people don’t know about you?
I’m a black belt in karate.

What NZ destination would you like to holiday in next? Why?
Milford Sounds – to take my husband who has heard us talk of it for years but never seen it.

What do you think makes NZ the ultimate visitor destination?
Our sense of empowerment and open spaces.