Born and raised in the farming community of Te Awamutu in the Waikato was where Ben Bayly, fell in love with food.

Ben embarked on a decade of culinary discovery, working at world class restaurants and hotels, honing his career in France, Italy, Australia, America and the United Kingdom before returning to New Zealand.

Ben is highly regarded in the food industry in New Zealand, with a lengthy history of accolades including ‘Chef of the Year’ and ‘Restaurant of the Year’, reflective of his passion for New Zealand’s food culture and cultivating talent amongst his teams.

Ben is the Chef Patron and owner of a diverse hospitality portfolio - Ahi and Origine in Auckland, The Bathhouse in Queenstown, Aosta, Little Aosta and the Blue Door in Arrowtown and the soon to be opened Oriental Bay Pavillion in Wellington. And a commercial organic garden in South Auckland.

Ben has a successful media career, currently producing and presenting A New Zealand Food Story with plays in over 90 countries and awarded ‘Best Reality Series’ twice for The Restaurant That Makes Mistakes, highlighting the realities of Kiwi’s living with dementia.

Christian Biller is a brand strategist at the Swedish Institute in Stockholm, where he has worked with Sweden’s international marketing and communications since 2007. He was part of the team behind Sweden’s recently launched nation brand strategy and works across Team Sweden to strengthen the Sweden brand—spanning business, investment, talent, tourism, culture, and public diplomacy.

Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga, Ngāti Rārua, Ngāti Huia Rachel Taulelei is a prominent business leader, and strong advocate for both the Māori economy and values-based business models. Following her role as New Zealand Trade Commissioner in Los Angeles, she founded sustainable seafood company Yellow Brick Road Ltd, developing an innovative, provenance-based supply of fresh, responsibly caught premium seafood.

Her commitment to kaitiakitanga (stewardship) has been evident throughout her career – from Yellow Brick Road to being CEO of Māori-owned food and beverage company Kono, through to her current role as co-founder of business design and brand strategy firm, Oho. Rachel is Chair of Sky Stadium, and sits on the boards of Mercury, Wellington International Airport, the Warehouse Group, and ANZCO Foods.  She is a co-owner of Wellington’s professional women’s basketball team the Tokomanawa Queens, Chairs the New Zealand Rugby Appointments and Remuneration Panel, and acts as an advisor to Huia Publishing, Movac and New Zealand Story.  

René de Monchy joined Tourism New Zealand in August 2015 bringing 20 years' global experience in consumer-led businesses including local and international marketing roles for Fonterra and Heineken and Asia Pacific Breweries in Singapore.

René was appointed Chief Executive of Tourism New Zealand in April 2021. Before this, René was Tourism New Zealand's Director Commercial. In this role René led a team across 15 offices in 14 countries responsible for identifying key markets and audiences to target for travel to New Zealand. René also led the development of Tourism New Zealand's Aviation Strategy to guide partnerships with international airlines including establishing Memorandum of Understandings with major airlines including Air New Zealand.

Sarah was appointed to the NZ Story Reference Group in January 2026.  Sarah is a Chartered Fellow of the NZ institute of Directors with deep experience in marketing and management focused on the customer and growing brands and organisations. Following an executive career in New Zealand and Internationally with multinationals’, Unilever and DB/Heineken Sarah moved to governance.  She is currently Chair of Christchurch International Airport, and Whitestone Cheese Co, and is NZ Member on the APEC Business Advisory Council.  Additionally, Sarah is a director of Skyline Enterprises and Mt Cook Alpine Salmon and a member of the NZ China Business Council.

Previously Sarah has served on the Boards of EBOS Group, The Public Trust, Blue Sky Meats and as a member of the Inland Revenue Risk Assurance Committee and the Otago Southland Institute of Directors.  She proudly hails from Te Wai Pounamu, the deep south.

Simon Limmer is the Chief Executive Officer of Indevin Group, New Zealand’s leading producer of high-quality wine and the home of Villa Maria.

Simon brings extensive leadership experience across New Zealand’s primary industries and takes pride in showcasing premium New Zealand brands to the world. Before joining Indevin, he was CEO of Silver Fern Farms, New Zealand’s largest meat exporter, for six years. Prior to that, he spent a decade with Zespri, where he held a variety of roles producing and marketing kiwifruit internationally. Earlier in his career, Simon spent 14 years with French environmental services company Veolia, working in a range of international locations.

Appointed CEO of Indevin Group in 2024, New Zealand’s largest wine company, Simon brings international experience and strong commercial acumen to New Zealand’s wine sector, steering the business through a dynamic global market and championing the next chapter of growth for one of the country’s most iconic industries.

Victoria is an independent director, with roles including chair of high-growth trans-Tasman technology company Ackama Group, chair of Thankyou Payroll, and director of Acumen NZ, CDC Pharmaceuticals, and Copyright Licensing NZ. She is an owner-director of visitor experience design and screen production company Gibson International, and chairs the advisory boards of creative companies Uno Loco and Hula.

Victoria was chief executive of Gibson International both before and after she led a management buyout of that business and was the first executive director of Te Auaha School of Creativity in Wellington. She is a previous board member of Education New Zealand, MetService, and the Toi Mai Workforce Development Council.

Victoria is an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to theatre, film and television.

Andrew Baker (Te Arawa, Tūwharetoa) is Managing Director of Tika Learning Ltd, a strategic cultural consultancy helping businesses in their journey to discover the value in authentically embracing Māori culture. He was previously Cultural Development Manager for Air New Zealand where he designed and oversaw the implementation of Air New Zealand’s Māori strategy.

Andrew has vast experience in building Māori culture within mainstream businesses and has also been instrumental in establishing New Zealand Story’s Māori Advisory Group, which ensures a strong Māori lens in all stakeholder engagements and external campaigns.

Stacey Morrison (Te Arawa, Ngāi Tahu) is a radio and TV broadcaster and author whose projects have spanned 25 years. She is an author of several Māori language learning and storybooks on kaupapa Māori, and is active in promoting Māori language, culture and health.

As a winner of Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori Champion Award in 2016, and the winner of Waipunarangi – Te Reo and Tikanga Award 2021, as well as a graduate of Te Panekiretanga o te Reo (the Institute of Excellence in Māori Language), Stacey loves encouraging the learning and use of our country’s beautiful native language.

Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga, Ngāti Rārua, Ngāti Huia

Rachel Taulelei is a prominent business leader, and strong advocate for both the Māori economy and values-based business models. 

Following her role as New Zealand Trade Commissioner in Los Angeles, she founded sustainable seafood company Yellow Brick Road Ltd, developing an innovative, provenance-based supply of fresh, responsibly caught premium seafood. 

Her commitment to kaitiakitanga (stewardship) has been evident throughout her career – from Yellow Brick Road to being CEO of Māori-owned food and beverage company Kono, through to her current role as co-founder of business design and brand strategy firm, Oho. 

Rachel is Chair of Sky Stadium, and sits on the boards of Mercury, Wellington International Airport, the Warehouse Group, and ANZCO Foods.  She is a co-owner of Wellington’s professional women’s basketball team the Tokomanawa Queens, Chairs the New Zealand Rugby Appointments and Remuneration Panel, and acts as an advisor to Huia Publishing, Movac and New Zealand Story.  

Ian’s back story is a fascinating journey, from growing up in a house without electricity in the 1950s, to being part of a company recognised globally as being at the leading edge of technology and innovation.

A former television presenter for TVNZ children’s programmes like Play School, Spot On, and New Zealand’s Funniest Home Videos, his very public life started when he joined the band Kal-Q-Lated Risk in 1967 as lead singer. After a stint in the army in the 1970s Ian went on to complete an LLB degree from the University of Otago before setting up Taylor made Media, a television production company in 1989.

The following year he established Animation Research Limited, which quickly became one of the top computer animation companies in New Zealand and known internationally for its work, particularly in television advertising and sports graphics.

At personal level. Taylor was inducted into the New Zealand Technology Hall of Fame in 2009 and was named North & South Magazine’s 2010 New Zealander of the Year. He was awarded an Honorary Fellowship of the Institute of IT Professionals (HFIITP) in 2010 (under its former name New Zealand Computer Society), the top honour of the tech sector in New Zealand. On 13 February 2019, Taylor was named Innovator of the Year at the annual New Zealander of the Year Awards. Awards organisers cited Taylor's business intuition and expertise as an exemplar of innovation in New Zealand.

In the 2012 New Year Honours, Taylor was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to television and business. In 2013 Taylor was named Outstanding Māori Business Leader of the Year. In the 2021 New Year Honours, Taylor was appointed to be Knight Companion of the said Order for services to broadcasting, business and the community.

Karl Burrows (Ngāti Maru (Taranaki), Te Āti Awa) is the General Manager – Pou Ārahi Māori at Tourism New Zealand. Karl has recently returned to Aotearoa from the UK. Based in London he cofounded and ran a professional kapa haka – Manaia, and founded a team building and leadership consultancy Haka Works, utilising tools from Māori culture to help build unity and purpose in professional teams. He has facilitated hundreds of leadership and culture workshops worldwide. Prior to this, Karl practiced as a lawyer specialising in property and Māori land law in Taranaki and commercial law in London. He was appointed a board member for his iwi Ngāti Maru and a negotiator to help settle their claim against the Crown for Treaty breaches. Karl has an LLB from Otago University and an MBA from Cranfield University in the UK. He is a speaker of te reo Māori. 

Ed Tuari (Ngāti Porou, Te Whānau-ā-Apanui, Ngā Puhi) is a cultural connector, strategist, and educator. As Manukura at Education New Zealand, he leads Rautaki Māori, shaping strategy and cultural capability. With 18 years in Dubai and a decade as a Māori bilingual educator, his impact is global. He co-presented New Zealand’s first mainstream Māori language preschool TV show, founded the first kapa haka group in the Middle East, was named New Zealander of the Year in Dubai for contributions to Te Ao Māori within the UAE, and was the Kaipupuri for the New Zealand Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, UAE.

Manaia Paki King (Tainui, Waikato, Ngāti Hauā, Ngāti Koroki Kahukura) is Deputy Secretary, Corporate, at Te Puni Kōkiri, Ministry of Māori Development.

He has been in the public service for 20 years and has worked in policy, service delivery and operations, corporate and community, and partner engagement.

Manaia’s previous role was as a Private Secretary in the office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Social Development and Employment and was the General Manager Māori, Partnerships and Programmes at the Ministry of Social Development. Prior to this, Manaia spent 10 years with the Ministry of Health in public health and prevention.

Manaia has a Bachelor of Laws, Master of Laws, a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health and an Executive Masters in Public Administration. Manaia is a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand.

Cliff Curtis has appeared in and produced many of New Zealand’s most celebrated movies – including The Piano, Once Were Warriors, Whale Rider, Boy, The Dar Horse.  

Curtis is of Māori (Te Arawa and Ngati Hauiti) descent and was born in Paraparaumu NZ.  

In 2004 Curtis formed Māori film production company Whenua Films with cousin, Ainsley Gardiner. The pair produced Taika Waititi's WWII short film Tama Tū (2005), debut feature Eagle vs Shark (2007), and Boy, inspired by Waititi's Oscar-nominated short Two Cars, One Night. Accumulating a cache of local and international acclaim and awards for each project it was Boy that became the highest grossing local film in New Zealand's history in 2010. Whenua Films also ran a NZFC Short Film scheme executive producing a number of successful short films, including Hawaikii, Coffee & Allah and Taua. 

In 2013 Curtis created production company Arama Pictures to continue his commitment to indigenous storytelling inspired by the work of mentors Merata Mita, Don Selwyn & Barry Barclay. Arama Pictures has executive produced feature The Dark Horse and short Ahi Ka, a story about Curtis's grandmother as a child. In 2014 Arama Pictures is set to produce a documentary feature about filmmaker Merata Mita. 

David has held a portfolio of interests across international trade, technology, economic development, and charitable causes. He has held a number of General Management roles in New Zealand Trade & Enterprise, most recently working with the technology sector to help fast growing tech companies grow internationally and New Zealand companies adopt digital commerce channels to market. He has also held leadership roles at NZTE in products and services, customer and corporate services. Prior to this David had an extensive career in leadership roles with Microsoft in New Zealand and Asia Pacific. 

David is a passionate New Zealander and storyteller by nature. He has successfully started businesses, been a comedian, TV and Radio actor, a talented author and semi-finalist for New Zealander of the Year. 

Amy Knightley (Ngāi Takoto, Te Waiohua Tainui-Waikato) is an experienced leader in brand, marketing and communications, who is an advocate for harnessing the power of storytelling and world-class creative to change perceptions and drive strategic outcomes. Her career spans roles in both public and private sectors, working in New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

Amy’s previous governance and leadership roles include Trustee for the Starship Foundation, GM Marketing & Communications for the New Zealand Law Society and Head of Marketing & Business Development for DLA Piper.

As Director of Marketing & Communications at New Zealand Story, Amy is responsible for research, brand management, and the curation of New Zealand stories to promote and elevate Brand New Zealand internationally. 

With a background in customer experience design and capital market communications, Nicky’s experience spans industries and countries. Most recently Nicky established Strategy Lab at AUT University, interrogating student experiences to inform strategic decision making. Previously Nicky founded Learning Experiences at Better by Design, part of New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, leading their iconic CEO Summits, US Study Tours, and design thinking masterclasses with Stanford University. Nicky also developed consultancies to help New Zealand start-ups position themselves for funding, and assist Asia-Pacific companies with their capital market ambitions.

In New York and London Nicky was Director of Taylor Rafferty, the world’s leading cross-border Investor Relations consultancy, before establishing their Asian office in Tokyo. 

To recharge Nicky loves family adventures with her two daughters and thrives on outdoor sporting activities including water skiing, tennis, snow skiing and running. 

Jonathan has spent 25 years telling stories that matter in the major events, theatre, and screen industries. Projects include: Executive Director – APEC CEO Summit 2021, Creative Director – New Zealand Country and Trade Pavilions CIIE Expo in Shanghai, Creative Director – Queens Wharf Auckland Fan Zone for the Lions Series 2017, Creative Producer – Auckland visits of both Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China and Li Keqiang, Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, Creative Director – The Advantage Line New Zealand in London during RWC2015, Creative Director – Opening Ceremony of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 in Christchurch.

Other stories include: five years as a rotation director on Shortland Street (over 200 episodes); director for four episodes of Go Girls (SPP); co-producing Jailhouse Rock – The Musical in the West End of London, alongside producing and directing many other musicals, plays and operas.

Kristin is the General Legal Counsel for the New Zealand Story team, with a particular focus on the FernMark Licence Programme. She has considerable legal experience in New Zealand and the United States (Boston and New York) where she worked for a leading global law firm, Ropes & Gray, and a biopharmaceutical company. Before joining New Zealand Story, Kristin worked for New Zealand’s leading commercial law firm, Bell Gully. Kristin is mum to three children and loves spending time with family and friends, travelling, being outdoors, doing crosswords, and keeping fit through mountain biking, running, netball, and walking up hills in Wellington.

As Operations Manager at New Zealand Story, Savannah oversees the implementation of the organisation’s strategy, supports the CEO and leadership team, and drives operational excellence across projects and governance processes.

Savannah brings expertise in project delivery, organisational management, and strategic advisory. Her career spans governance roles and positions across banking, education, the public sector, and entrepreneurship—enabling her to combine analytical insight with practical execution.

Lynda is responsible for managing our creative and content projects. Working alongside the Marketing and Communications teams, and the FernMark Licence Programme to deliver key projects, as well as leading and managing the high-quality production requirements of both video and stills film shoots, website, and brand toolkit content management.

She is also the brand guardian for the FernMark across NZ Inc and responsible for the associated brand guidelines.

Lydia is an experienced Marketing and Communications Manager. She spent 10 years in London working for global organisations such as the Red Cross and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). She has strong experience in communications specialising in PR, strategy, planning and partnerships. Lydia is passionate about telling stories that deliver impact and working on campaigns that drive action.

When she’s not at work, Lydia is hunting down a great coffee or cheering on the family’s horses in the tangerine at Ellerslie racecourse. 

Izzie is passionate about digital storytelling and is a bilingual social media marketer. She has over 10 years of experience helping businesses and organisations stand out on social media platforms, including promoting Ōtautahi Christchurch as a place to visit, live, study and do business. A content marketing enthusiast, Izzie believes that good storytelling and creating relevant content are more valuable than anything else to beat the algorithm.

To recharge, Izzie loves the outdoors and nature; she spends her weekends exploring the beautiful backyard of Aotearoa New Zealand; paddleboarding, hiking or playing tennis with friends.

Julie Chadwick joins New Zealand Story on a 12-month secondment from New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE), stepping in for Lydia Roseby during her parental leave. Julie is a valued member of NZTE’s Communications Team, bringing with her close to seven years of institutional knowledge and communications expertise.

Julie has spent over a decade honing her skills in the communications field, with a particular focus on collaboration, fostering meaningful connections with stakeholders, driving impactful narratives and delivering outcomes.

Prior to her role at NZTE, Julie managed communications at natural health-products company, Comvita (NZ:CVT), an NZX-listed company. During her tenure, she was integral to the company's reputation management and investor relations efforts, effectively managing communications with shareholders and the financial community. Her experience in this area has equipped her with a deep understanding of corporate communications and the importance of transparency and trust.

Rose is the Marketing Specialist at New Zealand Story. With marketing experience in the education sector, she is passionate about building brands that support New Zealand's international reputation. Rose loves telling compelling stories through marketing and creating engaging content. She believes understanding your audience is key to enhancing brand reputation.
 
Outside of work, Rose enjoys going on walks, going to the gym, and spending time with her family and friends.

Carina is a communication designer focused on delivering people-first outcomes. Her experience spans service design, visual design, content creation, and photography across government, corporate, and education sectors. She enjoys problem-solving, collaborating, and crafting meaningful solutions that balance creativity with strategy.

When she’s not working, Carina can usually be found outdoors hiking, camping, or at the beach, enjoying time with whānau and friends.

Lisa is an experienced Voice of Customer and Insights Specialist. Using her design thinking background, she has applied this most recently at Auckland University of Technology developing Strategy Lab, where she understands the student voice through empathy research. Prior to this, Lisa project managed the domestic components of NZTEʻs Better By Design Learning Experiences programme. She has worked in various other industries such as business coaching, IT, commercial real estate and tourism.

In Lisa’s spare time she enjoys adventuring the great outdoors with her family and friends, either mountain biking, hiking or kayaking.

Jessica is the FernMark Engagement Manager. She is particularly interested in helping Kiwi businesses with their international growth strategies. Jessica has strong international experience having worked in China, the UK and Australia as a trademark consultant. Before joining New Zealand Story, she worked for BNZ on the Asia Desk where she was responsible for developing pathways for customers exporting to Asia. 

Jess hails from Queenstown, so naturally loves the outdoors, especially snowboarding, and is partial to a good Central Otago Pinot Noir.

Nick is a Customer Manager at New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, advising some of New Zealand’s most prominent exporters with international revenues exceeding $1 billion. He is passionate about uncovering the value overlap between companies and their customers – where mutual success is built.

Currently seconded into the FernMark Licence Programme team as the FernMark Growth Manager.

With a career spanning continents and industries, Nick brings a global perspective and deep commercial insight to every challenge. His background in sales, marketing, and product management has equipped him with a broad understanding of business dynamics across sectors – from agritech and industrial gases to packaging and business advisory.

He has held international roles, including Product and Market Manager for an iconic Kiwi agritech manufacturer, where he led global initiatives. His eight years in the industrial gases and cryogenics sector sharpened his ability to understand customer applications and solve complex challenges. In the packaging industry, he gained firsthand experience as a distributor, deepening his appreciation for brand stewardship and channel dynamics.

Outside of work, he’s a devoted dad who finds balance and inspiration in outdoor adventures.

Lynette is the FernMark Licence Programme Coordinator, welcoming new licensees and doing all things FernMark. She has previously worked as a graphic designer and cooked in cafes and restaurants while living in the UK for 12 years and travelling.

Outside of work Lynette enjoys cooking, learning to garden and outdoor adventures.

Tom began his career at a leading marketing media agency, delivering nationwide behaviour-change campaigns for government and commercial clients. This experience sharpened his ability to think strategically and collaborate with diverse stakeholders. Motivated by a passion for law and its role in shaping reputation and commerce, Tom transitioned into private practice, where he developed core legal skills across commercial and private client matters.

Today, as Legal Counsel for New Zealand Story, Tom brings together his legal knowledge and marketing insight to help protect and promote Brand New Zealand—a role that perfectly blends his background in marketing and law.

Kate is our PR and Communications Manager and a passionate storyteller.

She joined New Zealand Story following a successful career in journalism, having worked in radio and TV newsrooms in the UK and Aotearoa New Zealand. Most recently Kate was the World News Editor for TodayFM, and brings with her a wealth of international experience having worked as a Broadcast Journalist and Producer for the BBC World Service in London. She is an advocate for sharing compelling and engaging stories that shift perceptions, inform the masses, and open doors.