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
Dr Joanna Breare
Board ChairFormer CEO Todd Energy, Independent Director of TrustPower, and volunteer lifeguard.
David Downs
Deputy ChairCEO of NZ Story and passionate innovate advocate.
Gillian Cagney
Board MemberPresident of Worley Australia & New Zealand
Roddy Bennett
Board MemberFormer TSB CFO.
Grant McQuoid
Board MemberOwner and Director of Velocite.
Joshua Hitchcock
Board MemberPou Amotake/General Manager Operations at Te Kotahitanga o Te Atiawa.
Chris Myers
Board MemberPapa Rererangi i Puketapu Ltd (New Plymouth Airport) Board Member.
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 Mechanical Design Engineer. He then established his own mechanical design consultancy business for New Zealand-wide manufacturers and engineering providers, while gaining his Commercial Pilots License and flying part-time. Kelvin has largely lived in Taranaki since 2012 with his wife and two children.