Nelson Marlborough Branch

Venus has lived in Te Tauihu for over a decade and brings extensive governance, commercial, and leadership experience across the public, private, and for-purpose sectors. With 12 years in a large FMCG retail business and recent public sector experience managing the 2023 General Election in Nelson, she offers strategic insight, operational expertise, and a strong commitment to integrity and compliance.

She currently serves as President of the Nelson Tasman Chamber of Commerce, Chair of the Tasman Bays Heritage Trust (a council-controlled organisation), and as a trustee on the boards of New Zealand Kindergartens and Sport Tasman. Recently elected to the New Zealand Chambers of Commerce Inc (NZCCI) Board, she brings a national perspective while understanding the unique needs of smaller chambers and local communities. She has also served on the Abbeyfield New Zealand board.

As a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors, Venus combines commercial acumen with strong governance capability and a collaborative, inclusive leadership style. She is also a Justice of the Peace and is committed to good governance, sustainable growth, and upholding the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Venus sees her governance work as an opportunity to add value nationally while remaining grounded in the needs and aspirations of local business communities.

With a robust foundation in New Zealand and international experience spanning over two decades, Gordon brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table.  

Gordon is an avid at-home chef and mixes his cooking experiences to the world of governance in a down to earth manner.  

Gordon has experience with a range of different boards and roles and is a Chair and chairs Audit & Risk and Remuneration Committees for Boards he serves on.  

Throughout his career, Gordon has consistently demonstrated excellence in executive, general management, and governance roles across a variety of sectors.  

Gordon is a Chartered member of the NZ Institute of Directors and is on the committee of the Nelson Marlborough Branch of IoD.  

Beyond his formal roles, Gordon brings his governance expertise to a wider audience through facilitation, aiding companies, enterprises, and start-ups in navigating the intricacies of governance with ease and expertise. His approach not only emphasises the importance of effective governance but also ensures that the process is engaging and accessible.  

Gordon also Chairs the Mapua and Districts Business Association.  

He has been working in Executive, General Management and Governance roles in the transport, consulting, technology, and Government sectors for many years.  

Gordon also provides advisory and consulting services to companies, enterprises and start-ups.  

Pip’s is currently Principal Planner – Strategic Policy at Tasman District Council. Her past roles have included Manager Strategy at Nelson City Council, Regional Lead, Nelson-Tasman with the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment [MBIE] and Senior Regional Adviser for Te Tauihu (Top of the South) with MBIE’s Provincial Development Unit. Pip has held other senior roles within INZ, the Nelson Economic Development Agency, Nelson Tasman Business Trust, and is a Business Mentor (BMNZ).  

Pip sits on a number of boards including Swimming New Zealand, Food Factory Trust, Home Share for Her, Fresh FM, and Nelson YMCA. Previous roles have included the Career Development Association of New Zealand, Nelson Tasman Chamber of Commerce Vice President, Nelson Polytechnic Council, Nelson School of Music, National Council of Womens (NCW), and President of the Nelson NCW Branch. Pip has also been the President of Graduate Women New Zealand. 

Pip currently serves as a Justice of the Peace (JP) is a Judicial JP and President of the Nelson Tasman Justices of the Peace Association. 

Tracy is an experienced independent director, organisational leader and qualified marketer.  She has a professional career in the visitor industry working in destination management and marketing roles both offshore and across New Zealand for the past 30 years. Tracy now works remotely as a senior consultant with international tourism consultancy TRC Tourism allowing her to be based in Marlborough where she lives on her Pinot Noir vineyard with husband Kevin. 

Tracy has built extensive knowledge and networks and governance experience within the tourism and wine sectors and more recently in the vocational education sector. Tracy currently serves as a Commissioner of Destination Marlborough, Deputy Chair of Marlborough Winegrowers Association, Deputy Chair of the FENZ Marlborough Local Advisory Committee and as a member of the NZ Winegrowers governance group Project Raumatatiki; Fresh Water Farm Planning for Viticulture. Tracy is a member of the Institute of Directors and serves on the IoD Nelson Marlborough Committee. 

Justin Carter is the Chief Executive Officer of Te Ātiawa o Te Waka a Māui Trust, a mandated Iwi organisation and post-settlement governance entity located in Te Tauihu, at the top of the South Island. With diverse experience spanning the tertiary, military, iwi, and commercial sectors, he brings a pragmatic and collaborative approach to strategic governance.. 

Justin holds a number of governance roles including Co-Chair of the Te Tauihu Regional Intersectoral Forum, the Chair of Tiakina Te Taiao Limited, Deputy Chair of Ka Uruora Te Tauihu Trust, Director of Tinline Training and Consulting Limited and a Trustee for Te Kotahi o te Tauihu Charitable Trust. Additionally, he holds representative and advisory roles across a number of industry and not for profit spaces. 

He has previously held management roles as the General Manager of Ngati Koata Trust, the Curriculum Director at Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology/Te Pūkenga, and had a fulfilling career as an Infantryman in the New Zealand Defence Force. His experiences are characterised by a commitment to continuous improvement, people and community development, and transformative change. 

Matt Stevens CMInstD

Matt is a Chartered Accountant, Financial Leader and Company Director.  

Jacqui Dean MInstD

Jacqui Dean currently serves as the director and business development manager at Dean building & renovations and eHaus Marlborough. She also sits on the Board of Marlborough Primary Health Organization.

Jacqui has a varied work history, as a small business manager, actor, Polytech Tutor in performance skills, hospitality and is a former Local Government politician and Member of Parliament. Much of her parliamentary work involved annual scrutiny of budget, and then Select Committee scrutiny of financial performance and outcomes.

Jacqui has a wealth of experience in government and legislative processes and holds a Post Graduate Certificate in Public Policy from Victoria University. She has previously served as the Minister of Commerce & Consumer Affairs and Small Businesses, as well as the Associate Minister of ACC and Local Government. During her time in parliament, she led the reform of Parliamentary culture in the last term of government.

With good knowledge of government operations and the parliamentary and legislative processes Jacqui has been a strong advocate for individuals, organisations, and businesses in her former electorate of Waitaki and around New Zealand, demonstrating a strong drive towards community service that underpins all her activities. Jacqui now brings that knowledge and experience to her current roles and is why she is putting her hand up to serve on the IoD Nelson Marlborough Branch Committee.

Jacqui and her husband Bill have chosen to reside in Waikawa Bay, Picton, in what was once their holiday home. Jacqui strongly asserts that she plans to stay there forever.