Our Team
Hamilton & Waikato Tourism is a subsidiary of the Waikato Regional Airport Limited (WRAL) and has an independent skills based board of directors including:
- Richard Leggat (Chair)
- Steve Gow
- Gus Gilmore
- Mark Morgan (Representative of WRAL)
Meet the team
Nicola Greenwell
Chief Executive
Nicola oversees the day-to-day running of Hamilton & Waikato Tourism and manages the key relationships with funders, tourism operators, local communities, local government and national agencies for the organisation.
What is your number 1 insider tip for the region?
When visiting our region – give yourself PLENTY of time to explore – guarantee you will find much more to see and do than you expected!
What do you love most about your job?
The enthusiasm and resilience of our people! We have great people in our region (and our office!) who passionately share the beauty of our region.
If you could do one job for a week – what would it be?
Photographer! I enjoy being creative with a camera (with varying degrees of success) – would love to be PAID to take photos – particularly in our own region.
Rebecca Evans
Marketing Manager
Rebecca leads Hamilton & Waikato Tourism's leisure marketing team, working closely with travel trade, media and industry partners on various campaigns and initiatives to promote the region to domestic and international visitors.
What is your number 1 insider tip for the region?
Make sure you spend some time around our waterways while you are here - whether it’s the mighty Waikato River, one of our many picturesque lakes or waterfalls or out on Raglan’s black sand beaches.
What is your favourite hidden gem in the region?
There are so many to choose from but I’d definitely recommend popping in to one of our local ice cream makers to try some of their delicious scoops. Most well-known is Hamilton’s iconic Duck Island Ice cream which offers imaginative dairy and non-dairy flavour combinations including my fav – white chocolate & miso. Yum!!
What do you love most about your job?
The people! We’re really lucky to work within such a vibrant industry filled with passionate and interesting people.
Aimee Tyson
Events Manager
Aimee oversees the conference & business events arm of the organisation. Aimee looks forward to meeting and working with all our operators and continuing to position the Waikato as the strong business events destination that it is. This is Aimee’s second time working for Hamilton & Waikato Tourism, returning after spending the last five years working in the sponsorship and events space in the agricultural sector.
What do you love most about your job?
I love that every day is different and that I get to promote a region that I truly believe in.
If you could do one job for a week – what would it be?
Children’s book author. I’d have to write really fast as I couldn’t just start, I would have to also finish it within the week!
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I love walking, be it into town or on one of the many amazing walking tracks we have in the Waikato. I also love biking with friends and family along the Waikato River or into town for a sneaky weekend Starbucks.
Tash Pearce
Development Manager
Tash is our Development Manager – she provides support to existing operators to further develop their visitor proposition, and support to new visitor products developing in the region.
What is your favourite hidden gem in the region?
The one place where you can experience an Art-in-Nature fusion, where over 100 locally crafted sculptures are interweaved into one of New Zealand’s largest outdoor galleries! The Sculpture Park at Waitakaruru Arboretum’s 2km trail weaves through ponds, cliffs, rocks and thousands of trees. Perfect place to silently meander through nature, admire local artwork or take the family on an interactive nature walk and spot the Ruru.
What do you love most about your job?
I love being a part of the HWT team where together we make a difference to the tourism sector, support our people, and shape the future direction of the mighty Waikato!
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I love being immersed in nature, surrounded by friends and family, and experiencing new adventures.
Amber Oien
Marketing & Media Executive
Amber manages media liaison and famil coordination working alongside Tourism New Zealand and our local industry to promote the region via media channels, as well as managing the day to day administrative tasks of the organisation and providing marketing support to the entire HWT team.
What is your favourite hidden gem in the region?
Te Toto Gorge Raglan – stunning views of the west coast.
What do you love most about your job?
There is something new to learn every day, no two days are the same.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I love getting out and exploring all the natural wonders our region has to offer.
Natasha Chevtchenko
Digital Marketing Executive
Natasha is our online guru looking after all things digital marketing (website, social media, communications, marketing campaigns) as well as working with the wider team on our domestic marketing campaigns and other activities.
What is your favourite hidden gem in the region?
Omaru Falls, south of Te Kuiti - you will need to take a short walk to get to the viewing platform, but it’s well worth the adventure.
What is your number 1 insider tip for the region?
Make sure to have your camera ready when visiting the region - you will be spoiled for choice when it comes to breathtaking photo opportunities.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I enjoy going to the beach - beaches are the definition of untouched beauty, and they offer endless amounts of relaxation. And we have amazing beaches in the region.
Shellie Moses
Events Coordinator
Shellie works with Aimee in the Business Events team helping to coordinate conferences, meetings and business events in the region.
What is your number 1 insider tip for the region?
If you have kids, Hamilton has some great playgrounds! We frequent the Hamilton Lake Playground and Cafe.
What do you love most about your job?
The variety of work we get to do and the great people we work with. Also helping people to explore the Waikato, we have so many different activities in this beautiful region!
If you could do one job for a week – what would it be?
Working as travel reviewer, getting to travel the world and review destinations!
Caz Wood
Event Secretariat – Regional Events Fund
Caz provides event secretariat duties for the Thermal Explorer (Hamilton & Waikato, Rotorua, Ruapehu, Taupo) Event Investment Panel in relation to the Regional Events Fund including developing the investment plan, event funding application process and evaluation process as well as establishes event funding contracts for those funded and prepares reports.
What is your favourite hidden gem in the region?
The variety of walks/hikes around the region. Whether it’s a challenge like the climb to the Hakarimata summit, or the easy trek to the impressive Bridal Veil Falls, or the tramp up Mount Kakepuku for amazing views, there are plenty of options to explore.
If you could do one job for a week – what would it be?
A rock star on tour! That is of course if I had the musical talent to go with it. It would be an exhilarating experience to perform in front of crowds who were there to enjoy your music and sing along!
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
Spending time with my family and friends. I enjoy making memories and exploring new places. I love planning the next holiday, weekend away, or day trip. I’ve also recently taken up running and training for my first half marathon which has allowed me to explore the city and river trails by foot.