Is Venture Timaru pondering staffing cutbacks in restructure?

Tuesday, 9 June 2026

The head of Timaru’s economic development and tourism agency remains tight-lipped over the details of a proposed restructure which The Timaru Herald understands could impact more than half its staff.

Last week, Venture Timaru chief executive Nigel Davenport confirmed the council-controlled organisation was undergoing a restructure as part of a broader review to ensure it was “fit for purpose”.

At the time, Davenport said no decisions had been made, and the focus was on “undertaking a respectful, and thorough consultation process with affected staff’’.

He refused to answer a number of questions relating to the restructure, such as when staff had been informed of the proposal, how many roles could be impacted, and when the consultation process would end.

Asked for comment again on Thursday, Davenport again refused to answer those questions.

The Timaru Herald understands the proposal was put to staff last month and could see a major reshuffle of the organisation with the roles of more than half its seven staff impacted.

Venture Timaru operates on grants received from the council, and government agencies as its primary funding sources.

In 2025, it received $1.5 million from local government and $217,000 from central government, as well as $352,000 from central government for service delivery contracts.

It received $51,000 from interest and dividends and $73,000 in other revenue, bringing its total income to $2.195m.

That was back slightly on 2024’s total income of $2.343m.

In 2025, employee related costs sat at $686,119, which was up slightly on the $652,440 reported in 2024.

In both years, the organisation reported a surplus.

The projected budget for 2025/26, as listed in the statement of intent for Venture Timaru, includes income from the council of $1.514m and expenses of $1.543m which would mean a $28,334 deficit.

The Timaru Herald asked the Timaru District Council if it had told Venture Timaru to save money, if the council controlled organisation’s operational budget had been cut, and whether it, or any other departments, or CCOs, were undergoing a Section 17A review.

A Section 17A review was a statutory requirement under the Local Government Act 2002.

The act required councils to periodically review, at least every six years, the cost-effectiveness of infrastructure, public services and regulatory functions.

The council’s general manager corporate Stephen Doran responded:

“The budget allocation for economic development and tourism is not proposed to decrease in Annual Plan 2026/27.

“It wouldn’t be appropriate for us to comment further on the operational matters.”