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Amplify is the agency for economic development in the Taupō district. Our role is to grow the economy of the Taupō district.

Our team is comprised of Taupō locals with the experience and know how to effectively provide skills, resources and tools to businesses in the district. Our team has a shared passion to see the Taupō economy grow and flourish which starts with ensuring all businesses here have what they need to succeed. Whether it's a start up looking for a way to launch or a well established company in need of help, Amplify is the starting point for all business related needs. 

We also help to build relationships between businesses. Through hosting events and fostering beneficial connections we are able to help businesses build up a support network in Taupō.

Team

Our Team

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Rick Keehan

CEO

rick@taupo.biz

Email: 

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Bryn Ingham

Head of Strategy & Investment

bryn@taupo.biz

Email: 

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Jo Caira

Business Growth Advisor

jo@taupo.biz

Email: 

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Mike Bowie

Tūrangi Development Lead

mike@turangi.biz

Email: 

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Monique Lagas

Administration & Events Co-Ordinator

admin@taupo.biz

Email: 

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Sarah Fraser

Product Development Lead

sarah@taupo.biz

Email: 

Our Board

Jane is an experienced strategic organisational resilience expert with a focus on building strong relationships and connections. She has over 25 years' practical experience within local, regional, and central government entities (both in New Zealand and the UK); and small, medium, and larger businesses – predominantly joining seemingly unconnected workstreams to enable better outcomes, and anchoring deliverables to purpose. Jane has experiences in risk management, governance, gap analysis and performance reviews helping build robust arrangements before, during and after an emergency / crisis. She is currently the Chair of the Board of RiskNZ; and a Board member of the American Foulbrood Pest Management Agency (under the Biosecurity Act 1993). In her spare time she is a hobby bee-keeper and novice orchardist, and is part way through planting a hazelnut orchard on the outskirts of Taupō.

Jane Rollin

Chair

Since his graduation from Lincoln University in 1996, Grant has built an extensive agribusiness career in technical sales and leadership within the Primary Sector. Having held leadership roles with the Bank of New Zealand, Livestock Improvement Corporation, Summit Quinphos and his current role as General Manager of Milk Supply at Miraka, Grant has a strong appreciation of commercial success within rural support industries as well as success behind the farm gate. Grant is also a Kellogg Rural Leader and is passionate about driving innovative farm business sustainability practices. He has an active history of judging and chairmanship within the Ballance Farm Environment Awards. In his current role, Grant established Miraka’s Te Ara Miraka farming excellence programme to achieve best farm practice adoption through financial incentivisation with inspiring results achieved. Although originally from the Auckland/Waikato region, he has worked throughout rural New Zealand, including 7 years in Southland. Grant currently resides in Taupo with his wife Jenny, and spends much of his free time with his three sons, all of which are under ten years old.

Grant Jackson

Board Member

Greg is of Ngati Tuwharetoa descent and was born in Taupō in 1953. His working career spanned 38 years in the Timber Manufacturing and Forestry Sector, primarily with Fletcher Challenge and then Carter Holt Harvey. Prime roles were in Commercial Management with the last six years as Supply Chain Manager for the CHH Woodproducts division. In these roles he was heavily involved in evaluation of investment / divestments decisions and business process improvement. After returning home to Taupō in 2011 Greg is now firmly embedded in governance and commercial roles with a number of Ngāti Tūwharetoa entities. Greg has served as a Trustee on Enterprise Great Lake Trust since 2012.

Greg Stebbing

Board Member

David is the CEO of Optima Investment Group, a privately held investment company that owns and manages 5 subsidiary companies, including Sitecare which has a Head Office here in Taupō. David has also worked in the Energy and Technology sectors, providing services and support to global and local energy customers. David has strengths in the areas of Strategic Planning, HSEQ, People and Capability and Sales and Marketing. David has completed the Taupō Ironman race and finished the Taupō Cycle Challenge 9 times. Training and competing here in Taupo attracted David and his wife Shar to the region and will continue to do so for many years to come.

David Bell

Deputy Chair

Katherine Newman is a Senior Resource Development Engineer and Geothermal Direct Use Lead at Contact Energy, with more than a decade of experience across geothermal energy and oil and gas. Her background spans technical, commercial, and market development roles, including contributing to international geothermal market assessments and strategic growth opportunities across the Asia-Pacific region. Katherine previously chaired the New Zealand chapter of Women in Geothermal (WING), where she doubled membership, led its incorporation as a registered society, established governance structures, and secured corporate sponsorship funding. Based in Taupō, she is particularly interested in the intersection of energy, regional economic development, innovation, and governance.

Katherine Newman

Board Member

Andy is General Manager of Ecogas New Zealand and an experienced operational leader with particular strengths in governance, health and safety and building high-performing organisations. His leadership approach has been strongly influenced by 10 years of service as an officer in the New Zealand Army, combining clear strategic thinking with a pragmatic, people-focused approach to execution. Based in Taupō, Andy has a genuine passion for the region and its future. He is committed to encouraging investment and economic development that builds on Taupō's strengths and creates enduring opportunities for the community.

Andy Bedford

Board Member

Marcel is an experienced business leader, Chief Executive and Company Director with an extensive career spanning the energy, infrastructure, engineering, manufacturing and contracting sectors. He brings a strong combination of strategic leadership, commercial expertise and governance experience, having worked across New Zealand and internationally. Marcel is currently Chief Executive Officer of WEL Energy Trust and serves as Board Chair of MAP Group and Cheal. His career has encompassed executive leadership, business development, operational management and corporate governance, with a particular focus on business performance, sustainable growth and creating long-term value. Originally from Hamilton, Marcel holds engineering and management qualifications from universities in New Zealand and overseas. Marcel has a strong interest in regional economic development and the role successful businesses play in building prosperous communities. He is passionate about developing people, supporting innovation and helping businesses identify opportunities and achieve their potential. He brings a practical, commercially focused perspective to governance and strategy, underpinned by a belief that successful organisations are built on strong leadership, capable people and a willingness to embrace change.

Marcel Manders

Board Member

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