What We Do
As the regional development agency for Taranaki, Te Puna Umanga, Venture Taranaki supports local entrepreneurship and enterprises to grow, promotes our region, and helps develop our sectors, building a thriving Taranaki economy that supports the well-being of our region’s people and environment.
Based in the cultural heart of Ngāmotu, New Plymouth, we are a diverse and skilled team, who share a common goal – to build resilient Taranaki communities, enterprises, and economies. With a team of around 25 people and open-plan offices, you feel the energy of the team as soon as you walk in the door.
Te Puna Umanga, Venture Taranaki works with stakeholders across a wide range of industries and sectors, local and national government, community groups, iwi, and individual enterprises to support the region’s development. With a strong and inclusive culture, we are proud to be embarking on becoming a Te Tiriti-led organisation.
A Council Controlled Organisation, owned by New Plymouth District Council (NPDC), Venture Taranaki is incorporated as a charitable trust, and operates a leveraged funding model with NPDC funding at its core. Venture Taranaki also partners with South Taranaki District Council and Stratford District Council to deliver regional development services around the Maunga.
Board of Trustees
Grant McQuoid
Board ChairOwner and Director of Velocite.
Joshua Hitchcock
Deputy Board ChairPou Amotake/General Manager Operations at Te Kotahitanga o Te Atiawa.
Roddy Bennett
Board MemberFormer TSB CFO.
Chris Myers
Board MemberPapa Rererangi i Puketapu Ltd (New Plymouth Airport) Board Member.
Kennie Tsui
Board MemberBoard Member Wellington Cable Car, Deputy President Engineering NZ, and Global Board Member USA Geothermal Resources Council.
Warwick Tauwhare-George
Board MemberFormer CEO of Parininihi ki Waitotara (PKW), Director Centreport and Deputy Chair Riverlock Group.
James Annabell
Board MemberEgmont Honey CEO and Director of Hive Developments.
Chief Executive
Kelvin Wright
Chief ExecutiveKelvin Wright is the Chief Executive of Te Puna Umanga Venture Taranaki. He joined the regional development agency in May 2022 after his role as Deputy Chief Executive at New Plymouth District Council (NPDC). Prior to his role as Deputy Chief Executive, Kelvin was the Chief Operating Officer (COO) for NPDC from 2017 to 2020. Before joining local government, Kelvin held roles as the General Manager of Operations for Energyworks Ltd. in New Plymouth and the Chief Executive Officer for Allied Industrial Engineering in the Bay of Plenty. Kelvin is currently on the board of Economic Development New Zealand (EDNZ) as well as Basketball Taranaki.
Kelvin grew up in Mosgiel, Dunedin where his career started as a Toolmaker and Mechanical Design Engineer for Fisher and Paykel. He then established his own mechanical design consultancy business for New Zealand-wide manufacturers and engineering providers. After gaining his commercial pilots license and instructor ratings, he became the chief pilot/flying instructor for Air Charter Otago. Kelvin has largely lived in Taranaki since 2012 with his wife and two children.