‘Fit for purpose’: Restructure proposed for Venture Timaru
Thursday, 4 June 2026
A restructure of Timaru’s economic development and tourism agency is underway, but the number of roles that could be impacted has not been divulged.
Venture Timaru chief executive Nigel Davenport confirmed the council-controlled organisation was consulting on a proposed organisational restructure as part of a broader review to ensure it remained “fit for purpose’’.
“The proposal forms part of a broader review to ensure Venture Timaru remains focused, fit for purpose, and aligned to its strategic priorities, while continuing to deliver strong economic development and tourism outcomes for the district,’’ Davenport said.
He said while no decisions had been made, “our immediate focus is on undertaking a respectful and thorough consultation process with affected staff’’.
Davenport was asked when staff had been informed of the proposal, how many roles could be impacted, and when the consultation process would end. He did not respond to those questions.
“Out of respect for that process and the individuals involved, we will not be commenting further on specific roles, staffing matters, or the detail of the proposal at this time.’’
According to the organisation’s website, Venture Timaru has seven employees including Davenport, operations and destinations manager Di Hay, business development manager Tania Stoddart and tourism marketing and engagement manager Sharnae Naysmith.
Venture Timaru has been under increased pressure to perform over the past 18 months.
In December 2024, then-chairperson Tony Brien said the agency had to “do better” in attracting new business in response to questions from councillor Stu Piddington who suggested there had been plenty of talk but no action.
At the time, Brien said “there is no excuse – we need to deliver more and I’m not shying away from that.”
At a council meeting three months later, in March 2025, Davenport admitted the agency needed to do a better job of attracting new business.
At that meeting, deputy mayor Scott Shannon told Davenport the council had waited a couple of years to “actually see some real actions, some plans about delivering on, I suppose, more than just being visionary, actually having some actual actions behind strategies”.
That same month, the council discussed the agency’s role distributing major events funding on behalf of the council following a review, with elected members raising concerns about the potential for double-dipping.
At the council’s annual plan hearings in May 2025, members of the community called for the council to continue the Venture Timaru-administered Major Events Funding.
In October, Venture Timaru shifted from its office at the top end of Stafford St to the former Union Bank of Australia building in the south of the main street, moving in underneath the council’s holdings company, Timaru District Holdings Ltd (TDHL).