Board

Carol Stigley is the independent Chair of the HSI Board, first appointed in 2006. 

Carol is a professional director and consultant, with experience on a range of boards including .nz Registry Services (Chair), Standards NZ, St James Theatre Ltd (Deputy Chair) and Wellington Institute of Technology. She is closely involved in the Institute of Directors, serving on the Wellington Committee and the National Council. Carol’s earlier executive roles include Chief Executive of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, and then of Local Government New Zealand.

Carol brings an external perspective to the organisation as it seeks to achieve its vision of industry embracing HSI-led training.  “The industry’s need for qualifications, training and professionalism has never been greater if we are to increase productivity and business viability in meeting the requirements of increasingly discerning hospitality consumers. This is important as a contribution to New Zealand’s tourism earnings, but quality and excellence are rightly sought by the everyday consumers of the sector’s products and services - whether workers, students, hospital patients, or diners and guests - and whether in hotels or hostels, retirement homes or five star resorts.” 

“My job is to lead the Board in creating the strategic drive and direction for the organisation in its mission of growing New Zealand hospitality talent.”

Alastair Duncan is the nominee of the Service and Food Workers Union to represent the interests of hospitality workers on the HSI Board and has served in that capacity since 1994.

Alastair's early experiences as a kitchenhand and his later union work as an advocate in the sector, ensure the Board is mindful of the needs to ensure industry training is available to all levels in the workforce.

"I want to see more understanding by employers of the link between qualifications and pay, as well as a greater commitment by the sector to value prior learning and industry contribution by both frontline and behind the scenes staff. As New Zealand moves increasingly towards a service based economy we need to respect and value the work of all staff and put and end to a culture of long hours for low pay. The beauty and attractions of New Zealand speaks for themselves, but let's not compromise that with sub standard training or pay".

Appointed by the HSI Board in 2007 to provide hospitality management experience and insights, Maryann has since 1995 held senior positions with Skyline Enterprises Ltd, based in Queenstown;  iInitially Manager Human Resources and Quality, Maryann took up the role of Operations Manager in 2003. Skyline Enterprises, one of New Zealand’s leading tourism and hospitality companies, operates five properties in Queenstown, Rotorua, Dunedin and Canada.

Maryann has had a close involvement in hospitality and human resource issues at both national and international level. She has been a director of Tourism Industry Association of NZ from 1998 to 2001 and deputy chair from 2001 to 2005; other roles have included Director Southland Otago Employers’ Assn 1998 – 2003, Director Aviation, Tourism and Travel Training Organisation 1999 – 2003, along with involvement in a number of industry committees. In 2001 Maryann represented NZ’s Tourism and Hospitality Industries at ILO tripartite negotiations in Geneva.

Maryann has a particular interest in the development of management capabilities, retention and performance management issues as they impact on hospitality operations. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce and G.Dip Business Studies (dispute resolution), has been an active workplace trainer and assessor since 1999, and as part of Skyline has won several HSI Excellence in Training Awards.

Director of Human Resources
Accor Hospitality – New Zealand & Fiji
 
Graeme has served on the Board as the nominee of the NZ Hotel Council since 2008.

After working in the food manufacturing industry and undertaking aligned tertiary studies, Graeme commenced in hospitality gaining qualifications in cookery and restaurant service.  

Involved with industry training from 1980 initially as a part time tutor at Waikato Technical Institute (Wintec), Graeme joined HCITB (now HSI) as Training Advisor for the Central North Island area.  Joining SPHC in 1985, initially as Training Manager for New Zealand and Fiji, he worked for 12 years in Regional Human Resources roles in New Zealand, Fiji, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, India and Australia. He returned to New Zealand to set up Human Resources for Dynasty Hotels (now Heritage Hotels).

Since 1999 Graeme has been Regional Human Resources Manager now Director of Human Resources for Accor’s hotels in New Zealand and the South Pacific.  Responsibilities include the planning and implementation of Accor’s global and regional strategic HR initiatives in: employee attraction, recruitment and retention; employee orientation and skills training; learning and career development for supervisors and managers; attraction and development of next generation talent; maintaining employment and industry relationships; risk management, compliance and sustainable development; and personnel practices. 

Craig Macfarlane was appointed by the HSI Board in 2007 to represent the multiple individual businesses providing food and beverage services.

Craig moved to Taranaki from Christchurch in 1994 leaving behind an administration management position with PDL Industries to follow the dream he shared with wife Kate to run their own café. After working nights and weekends in a secondary employment capacity for over two years that dream has evolved exponentially over the years and the Macfarlanes Group of Business now encompasses seven restaurant/café establishments, a corporate catering division and nationally acclaimed coffee roastery.  

No longer seen as a small, or even medium business owner, Craig has developed a robust corporate framework for each business entity with a clear focus on developing the skill base and career opportunities for his staff.

Instrumental in reviving the Restaurant Association of New Zealand (RANZ) Taranaki Branch, he is currently the National Vice President of RANZ, Deputy Chair of Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki (WITT)  and works to ensure the hospitality industry, across all departments, is seen as a viable and lucrative career move for the youth of New Zealand.

Ruth has served on the HSI Board as the nominee of the New Zealand Restaurant Association since 2007. As a New Zealand chef, caterer, teacher and food writer Ruth Pretty is well known for the New Zealand cuisine served at functions in New Zealand and internationally.

Ruth Pretty and her husband Paul started a catering business in 1988 which is now seen at most of Wellington’s biggest and most prestigious events, including premieres for Lord of the Rings: Return of the King, and King Kong.

Internationally, Ruth and her team managed the New Zealand Pavilion’s VIP hospitality lounge at the World Expo in Japan, presenting tastes of New Zealand to international dignitaries and invited guests. She also provided VIP catering services for Team New Zealand at the America’s Cup Yacht Challenge in Valencia, Spain.

Ruth is the author of five cookbooks and in 2005 was inducted to the New Zealand Restaurant Association Hall of Fame Award for her devotion to serving and promoting high quality food, both in New Zealand and overseas.

Bruce has been the nominee of HANZ as the Liquor representative on the HSI Board since 1995 and was part of the team which led the restructuring of the Hotel Industry Training Board to its current form, the Hospitality Standards Institute. Bruce was Chairman for five years from 1997 to 2002 and is currently serving as Deputy Chair. Bruce has a strong commitment to industry training believing that training is a key ingredient to improve business productivity and profitability.

He has been Chief Executive of the Hospitality Association since 1995. The Hospitality Association represents over 2,300 members operating in the hospitality industry.The Association provides a wide range of services and benefits ranging from extensive employment and liquor licensing advice to significant buying benefits. Lobbying government at local and national level is a high priority on all issues impacting on the business of hospitality.

In 2005 Bruce was elected to the Board of the Industry Training Federation, which represents the collective interests of all Industry Training Organisations.

The NZ Chartered Club/Incorporated Society Industry is facing major challenges over the next decade. As a result 3 specific entities have asked Rob to represent their interests on the Board at HSI.

These 3 groups alone represent some 1400 clubs with an overall membership in excess of 400,000 members. These include the NZRSA & Clubs, all affliated CLUBSNZ Clubs & SCANZ, Sporting Clubs of New Zealand.

Rob has a 26-year background in the Hospitality Industry. His experience also includes Property, Investment & Charitable Trust Management. Previous Governance roles include Board of Directors/shareholder of Aohanga Incorporation.

Rob maintains strong relationships with D.I.A/Gaming Licensing, D.L.A/Liquor Licensing & NZFSA/Restaurant Standards.

Stephen was first appointed by the Board to represent the cookery sector in 2002. With over 30 years experience in the hospitality industry,  he is Director and Senior Consultant with Menu Works Limited, a Food, Cookery and Kitchen management consultancy. He is also owner/operator of 'Verrans Espresso & Food', a 50 seat daytime café In Birkenhead on Auckland's North Shore, and “Verbena” a fine dining brasserie also in Birkenhead.

Stephen,  well known in the industry for his kitchen management knowledge as well as his creativity, teaching and cookery skills, was previously with Sheraton Hotels for 10 years as Executive Chef in Auckland and Fiji. He also worked as a tutor in professional cookery at Auckland Institute of Technology for 5 years where he was course director, and at Westminster College in London.

Stephen has been involved with competitions extensively both as judge and competitor, winning many medals and awards including the 'New Zealand Chef of the Year' twice and representing New Zealand overseas. He served as Salon Director at the 2005 Restaurant Association National Salon Culinaire where he previously served as Chief Judge Cookery for 3 years.

Oscar Nathan recently joined the Board of HSI as the new Maori Representative.  Oscar has mixed Maori and Spanish heritage and whakapapa’s to Ngāpuhi, Te Aupouri and Te Rarawa iwi.   He is an owner/director of various companies with interests spread across tourism, IT, management consulting and accommodation.

Oscar has previously held a number of tourism chief executive roles with the likes of Tamaki Tours, Tourism Rotorua and most recently Tourism Industry Association as acting CE.  Oscar is passionate about realising Maori potential and enjoys his role as business advisor for Poutama Trust, a national trust which invests upwards of $2.5m per annum into growing Maori Micro and SME business capability across New Zealand. 

He is a past member of the Rotorua Chamber of Commerce Executive and Waiariki Institute of Technology’s governing council and today serves on a number of business and tourism sector boards, including the Rotorua Tourism Board, NZ Maori Arts & Crafts Institute (Te Puia) and Maori in Tourism Rotorua - the Maori Regional Tourism Organisation for the Rotorua area.  Oscar was recently re-appointed to his second term on the NZ Tourism Industry Association, again serving as the board’s Deputy Chair.  He is also a past winner of the NZIM,  IBM and NZ Management Magazine – NZ Young Executive of the Year.

When not working in his business or governance roles, Oscar focuses as much time as he can with his whanau enjoying the opportunity to travel, or play outdoors in the natural playground of Rotorua their hometown.

Ruth Turner is the Board’s new Food Services Representative. Ruth has worked in a variety of roles within the food services and bulk catering sector, from Executive Chef at Databank and Turnbull House through to management roles at the Company Catering Company and Spotless Services (NZ) Limited. She is currently the Sector Manager of Internal Services at Corrections Inmate Employment.

Cherie Freeman is the new Provider Representative (polytechs, schools and private trainers). Cherie is  the head of hospitality at Wellington Institute of Technology (Weltec) after moving from the Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT).  Cherie has extensive experience in the hotel industry, and is also active in a range of hospitality competitions, notably as a judge of Front of House events, where she is one of the few people holding a Level 5 Front of House judging qualification.