The members of DunedinHOST Board are all active in tourism businesses and organisations in and around Dunedin. Each member is attributed a specific part of the Tourism Sector. If you would like to contact a board member with regards to any issues with that sector please email them using the email address provided below.
Please note: The DunedinHOST Board meets regularly throughout the year. If you have something you would like the board to discuss please contact a board member via or email: info@dunedinhost.co.nz
Kylie Ruwhiu-Karawana| DunedinHOST Chair
Kylie is the director of a whanau owned and operated tourism business, Horizon Tours, and a tourism consultant with TRC Tourism. She has been in the tourism industry for over 20 years, and comes with an impressive array of skill both within the private and public sector. She was the Chair of the Dunedin Host Board from 2012-2014 and stepped back into this role in July of 2020.
Kylie studied for her undergraduate and postgraduate degrees at Otago University before heading off shore to teach english in Japan for three years. She returned to Dunedin in 2010 to manage Cadbury World and Events after working for Tourism New Zealand for close to 10 years.
Kylie is passionate about the tourism industry and a strong advocate for Dunedin.
Adrian Clifton
Adrian is the General Manager of Scenic Hotel Dunedin City. He has been in the industry for over 25 years, working in a variety of hospitality establishments from country clubs and small luxury hotels to resort hotels and convention centres.
Adrian moved from the UK in 2009 and joined the Scenic Hotel Group in 2012, initially at Scenic Hotel Southern Cross and later returning to Dunedin in 2016.
Adrian and Leigh Stock are our Accommodation sector champions.
Clare Van Elst
Clare is the Otago/Southland Regional Training Advisor for ServiceIQ, the Industry Training Organisation (ITO) for the service sector. She has worked in the workplace industry training sector for 15 years. Previously she held retail management positions for national retailers. She is very passionate about upskilling staff and promoting career pathways in the service industry sector.
Clare came to New Zealand in 1996 from Ireland on a working holiday visa after graduating at the University of Surrey with a Bsc (Hons) in Retail Management. She realised soon afterwards Dunedin was a great city to work and live in.
Clare is our Education and Retail sector champion.
Clare.VanElst@serviceiq.org.nz
Rosie Shanks
Rosie is the Venue Manager for Speight’s Brewery – overseeing the overall operations for Tours, Retail and Cellar Door. With the goal of increasing visitation at the Brewery by a minimum of 5% per annum her focus is on business development, growth strategy and collaboration.
Originally from Dunedin, Rosie holds a BA in History & Classical Studies from the University of Otago. With over 10 years’ experience in the Hospitality and Tourism sector she has held roles in Restaurants, Hotels and Attractions with specific focus on Human Resources, Front Office Management and Customer Service. She is passionate about delivering an exceptional experience to all Dunedin’s visitors and believes every interaction is an opportunity to be an ambassador for this great little City.
Having spent 7 years in Franz Josef Glacier working for the Scenic Hotel Group and Ngai Tahu Tourism, the opportunity to work for one of Dunedin’s iconic brands prompted the move back to the East Coast.
Rosie is our Attractions and Activities sector champion.
Ralph Davies
Ralph is our Transport sector champion.
Leigh Stock
Leigh began his role in Dunedin with Skyline in December of 2016. Prior to his Dunedin appointment, Leigh held General Manager positions in Melbourne, Sydney, Wanaka and Mount Cook.
A qualified Chef by trade, Leigh moved from the kitchen to follow a management trainee path in 1987 working through various THC and SPHC properties around NZ including Mt Ruapehu, Milford Sound, Queenstown and Christchurch before opening a new generation Travelodge as General Manager in Sydney prior to the 2000 Olympics.
In addition to his many years of hotel experience, he also holds a Bachelor of Applied Management. He is a previous board member of Lake Wanaka Tourism and the Southern Lakes Tourism board and a past President of the Wanaka Chamber of Commerce which during his tenure successfully hosted the National conference in Wanaka in 2012.
In 2019 Leigh’s role was expanded to a dual function role, becoming responsible for the Skyline Accommodation portfolio of Blue Peaks Lodge & Apartments along with his continuing management of Heritage Dunedin.
Leigh and Adrian Clifton are our Accommodation sector champion.