TRENZ Talks
Tuesday 6 May
Sportsdrome, Energy Events Centre, Rotorua
10.00am - 12.40pm (followed by a light lunch)
View the TRENZ Talks programme here
TRENZ Talks is back for 2025 – delivering fast-paced and energetic 15-minute TED Talk-style presentations. The sessions are designed to provide insightful, inspiring and useful content to TRENZ sellers, ahead of their afternoon appointments.
The presentations will focus on the TRENZ 2025 theme - Tūhonoa te Tāngata - Connecting People. With the business of tourism often relationship led, the theme recognises that TRENZ is the opportunity through kōrero (conversation) to engage, connect and strengthen our international partnerships. It also highlights the special role our people play in the visitor experience.
Attendees will hear from nine inspiring speakers. Included in the line up are Tourism New Zealand, Auckland Airport, Air New Zealand, New Zealand Māori Tourism, GO Rentals, TIA and Zorb Rotorua.
Speakers will share tips to being an employer of choice, a case study with learnings from Akiaki - Advancing Tourism, and insights from New Zealand Māori Tourism's recent groundbreaking research into the value of the sector to people, businesses, and communities.
For catering purposes, please confirm your attendance here
Donna-Marie Lever
Journalist and MC
Award-winning journalist Donna-Marie Lever has been in Broadcast Journalism for more than 20 years – more recently, 12 years as the Police & Crime Reporter for 1News. She’s conquered news, current affairs, radio, dodged bullets in East Timor, been on tour with the World Cup All Whites, trained at the BBC and CNN and reported from international conflict and disaster zones like the Boxing Day Tsunami. The former born and bred Aucklander now coaches corporate media training masterclasses, crisis communications, is a dinner speaker and a freelance journalist for The Guardian, TVNZ & CNN, Newstalk ZB weekend newsreader and is based in the heart of rural Mid-Canterbury.
James Dalglish
Director, GO Rentals
James Dalglish is a seasoned business and tourism leader with more than 25 years of industry experience. As Chief Operating Officer and Director of GO Rentals, James has helped transform the company into one of New Zealand’s leading vehicle rental providers, known for its customer-first approach and innovative thinking.
Beyond his executive role, James is deeply involved in shaping the future of tourism in Aotearoa. He serves on the Rental Vehicle Association Council and is the Deputy Co-Chair and a Board Member of Tourism Industry Aotearoa, where he advocates for sustainable growth and industry collaboration.
Recognised for his strategic insight, operational expertise, and energetic leadership, James brings a forward-thinking perspective to every conversation, making him a respected voice in both business and tourism circles.
Ben Evers-Swindell
General Manager Americas, Air New Zealand
Ben Evers-Swindell is an experienced commercial and tourism executive with over 20 years’ experience across the UK, Australia, and the US.
Appointed General Manager Americas in 2022, Ben is responsible for growing Air New Zealand’s brand and customer base across North America.
Since joining in 2016, he has held leadership roles including GM Sales New Zealand and Pacific Islands, Senior Manager Corporate, SME and Government Sales, and State Manager Queensland. He was also part of the team that delivered the Future of Work project, advising the Executive on the impacts of technological and demographic change.
Prior to Air New Zealand, Ben held senior sales and tourism roles across the UK and Australia. He holds an MBA and is passionate about building high-performing, customer-led teams.
Sarah Handley
General Manager Americas and Europe, Tourism New Zealand
Sarah Handley is the General Manager Americas and Europe for Tourism New Zealand. Sarah joined Tourism New Zealand in 2019 and is based in Los Angeles. She is responsible for Tourism New Zealand’s marketing activities across the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Germany to promote New Zealand as a visitor destination. Sarah brings over 20 years global experience in consumer-led businesses and senior marketing roles for high-profile multinational companies such as Hasbro, Mattel and Electronic Arts.
Steph James
General Manager, ZORB Rotorua
Steph James is the General Manager at ZORB Rotorua, one of New Zealand’s most iconic and proudly homegrown adventure tourism experiences. With over 15 years in the industry, Steph’s career has taken her from the beaches of Magnetic Island with Base Backpackers to the mountains of Canada, before returning home to New Zealand to lead high-performing teams at Haka Tours and now ZORB Rotorua.
Steph holds a degree in business and marketing, and brings a strong blend of strategic leadership, operational know-how, and a deep passion for creating unforgettable visitor experiences. At ZORB, she’s been instrumental in evolving the brand’s global presence, championing innovation in adventure tourism, and fostering a workplace culture that reflects the fun and energy of the product itself.
She’s a firm believer in the power of tourism to connect people, support local communities, and drive New Zealand’s reputation as a world-class destination.
Gisela Purcell
Sustainability Manager, Tourism Industry Aotearoa
Gisela Purcell is the Sustainability Manager at Tourism Industry Aotearoa, where she leads initiatives that support a regenerative approach to tourism across Aotearoa. She recently led the development of Akiaki – Advancing Tourism, an online learning programme for sustainable tourism. With an MA in International Development and a Professional Certificate in Sustainable Tourism, Gisela brings both strategic insight and hands-on experience to her work. In her downtime, she enjoys backcountry adventures on foot and by bike as well as training her two rescue dogs.
Dale Aotea Stephens
Chair, New Zealand Māori Tourism, Te Rarawa
Dale Aotea Stephens serves as the Chair of New Zealand Māori Tourism.
He brings a wealth of experience championing Māori aspirations in both the public and private sector as a director on a range of Māori investment and social agency entities. Drawing on his extensive experience in the public sector and background in human resources, investment and consultancy, Dale has guided government agencies and led organisations as CEO in NZ and Asia Pacific. He has previously served on numerous private sector boards across a range of business interests.
Dale and his wife Tarina (Te Atiawa) are proud parents of six and live in Ōtautahi Christchurch. His deep appreciation for learning has granted him various academic accolades in Business Management, Master of Public Policy, te reo Māori and a Master of Laws.
Andrew Waddel
General Manager Australia, Tourism New Zealand
Andrew Waddel is a seasoned marketing professional who took up the role of General Manager - Australia at Tourism New Zealand in 2018. Before joining Tourism New Zealand Andrew led marketing at Soda Press Co. founded his own consultancy and was Marketing Director at Red Bull Australia. Andrew is based in Sydney.
Gregg Wafelbakker
General Manager Asia, Tourism New Zealand
Gregg Wafelbakker is the General Manager Asia for Tourism New Zealand. Based in Singapore, he is responsible for Tourism New Zealand marketing activities across China, Japan, Korea, South and South East Asia. Gregg joined Tourism New Zealand in July 2017, following 20 years of international experience in the food and beverage sector.