BEACH HOP

ABOUT US

About
Us

Enterprise Whangamata, please join us and help us paddle the boat faster

Formed in 2008, Enterprise Whangamata has been finding ways to promote this town and support local business for over 15 years. Over that time, committee people have donated 1000’s of hours - running meetings, organising events, working with many and varied council officials to help make Whangamata what it is today. Together our organisation and this community has created and delivered some remarkable town features. Like the surfboard downtown, artwork on the council fence, security cameras, a world first town emergency battery to keep our CBD up and running and many more initiatives.

We are proud to live in this town and honoured to be intrusted to make it better every day.

Enterprise Whangamata 2024

Chair

Patrick Kerr

Treasurer

Jeremy Mace

Administrator

Sally Smith

Committee

Chris Coombe

Jennie Black

Gavin Holmes

Saskia Markveld-Reynolds

Since 2008

Board Members

Dedication. Expertise. Passion.

Administrator

Sally Smith

Whangamata is a special place to live & work and it’s the people that make the town’s vibe. My experience and skills are from working in the travel industry, corporate administration and project administration. I enjoy the beach, yoga, tramping & playing croquet. I am looking forward to bringing some new ideas and events to Whangamata.

Chairman

Patrick Kerr

Retired business man having lived in Whangamata for the past 10 years. Well-travelled. For the past three years I have been delighted to being the Chairman of Enterprise Whangamata Inc. With the excellent support of our Committee we have a strong balance sheet, growing Membership and are running some six large events each year focusing on the off and shoulder seasons to attract visitors to our piece of Paradise.

Treasurer

Jeremy Mace

Retired Chartered Accountant, yachtsman, and a local volunteer with advise for economists, politicians, CEO’s and any others who will listen! Jeremy has been involved in Enterprise Whangamata since it’s inception. What could business leaders learn from a yacht captain? Plenty, in my experience... After 65 years of yacht cruising and racing, in NZ and offshore this is what I have gleaned from my life on boats with sailors of all levels and businesspeople at the leading edge of the economy.

Committee Member

Saskia Markveld-Reynolds

Saskia is mother of three children whilst running her own hair salon Saskia & Co on Port Road. Saskia brings to Enterprise Whangamata youth and a deep knowledge of local business, its pain, its pleasure and its rewards.

Committee Member

Gavin Holmes

After spending over 25 years moving from one project to another like many others in my field, I found the irresistible charm and ideal lifestyle that Whangamata has to offer simply too difficult to resist. The call for adventure in my mid-50s led me to Western Australia, where I was fortunate to be involved with CBI and Chevron in the construction of a large LNG processing plant. This experience broadened my perspective and added valuable expertise to my professional journey. While I previously played an active role with the Lions Club, I have since found a more fitting role with Enterprise Whangamata. The collaborative spirit and forward momentum in Whangamata continues to inspire my involvement and commitment to this wonderful community.

Committee Member

Jennie Black

I'm Jennie Black, most people know me as the owner of Whangamata & Waihi News. Your very local paper which started from scratch 5 years ago, I’ve been in newspapers all my life, and mostly community papers. Like all of our EW members, being in business has many challenges and many fantastic rewards. I was a former chair of Enterprise Whangamata and also on the executive committee of the RSA, means I get to meet a host of incredible people with great fortitude and business acumen.

Committee Member

Chris Coombe

Chris has lived in Whangamata for many years and is an integral part of the fabric of our community. A keen sailor and is president of our local yacht squadron. He owns Peddle &providing rent kayaks for all water-based activity here in Whangamata. He also has a range of hire bikes including the very popular Beach Buggies. Chris was a founding member of the committee of Enterprise Whangamata and a past Chairman.