Our Region

Nigel Smellie

Chair of the Central Otago Advisory Committee

nigel.smellie@findex.co.nz

Nigel is a Chartered Accountant and Partner of Findex Central Otago where he is responsible for helping businesses with all their business advisory requirements. He strives to provide relevant and reliable, accounting, taxation and business advice to all his clients.

Nigel is also the current Treasurer of the Alexandra Blossom Festival Committee.

In his spare time, Nigel enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter.

Jenny Denley

Estate solicitor at AWS Legal

Jenny, an accomplished property, rural, trusts, and estates solicitor at AWS Legal in Alexandra, boasts a wealth of experience. Joining AWS Legal in 2017 after stints in Invercargill and Auckland, Jenny honed her skills in litigation, commercial, and property transactions. Outside the office, she enjoys skiing and exploring Central Otago. Raised in Alexandra, she's chosen to raise her family there, embracing the region's exceptional lifestyle. Jenny's also service on the Central Otago Community board and have a deep passion to see the region grow and prosper.

Tamah Alley

Mayor of the Central Otago District

mayor@codc.govt.nz

Tamah Alley, of Alexandra, was elected as the new Mayor in October of this year. Tamah comes to the role as a district councilor and now former chair of the Vincent Community Board. Earlier this year she was also appointed Zone 6 chair of Local Government New Zealand, when she replaced Clutha district Mayor Bryan Cadogan. 

Dewald De Beer

Business Strategist at Big Bear Consulting

Dewald is a financial advisor and a member of the management team at C&R Insurance Broker. Previously, Dewald has worked in diverse industries such as Mining, Hospitality, Coffee and Tea, and Media, holding various management roles.

He has also held leadership positions in the non-profit sector, served on various sporting committees, and currently serves as the Chair for Business South Central Otago. Additionally, he is a Business Mentor with Business Mentors NZ. Dewald and his family moved to Central Otago 7 years ago and has fell in love with the region, people and lifestyle.

Mike Borthwick

Executive Director at Landpro

mike@landpro.co.nz

Born and raised in Southland, Mike started his career with the Royal New Zealand Navy’s Hydrographic Surveying branch. After numerous deployments around New Zealand and the South Pacific gaining experience in all aspects of Hydrographic Surveying, Mike left the navy to start a role in a survey consultancy firm in the south.

Mike then moved into a mining role at Macrae’s Gold Mine, before heading overseas to work on a variety of projects, including Oil and Gas, Railway, Roading and civil projects. At the start of 2008 Mike returned to New Zealand, and with his two business partners now runs consultancy firm LandPro.

With 30 years in the survey industry, Mike has experienced multiple changes in the market and can apply those lessons learned along the way.

Nick Lanham

Economic Development Manager at Central Otago District Council

nick.lanham@codc.govt.nz

Nick grew up in Alexandra but left at the end of high school to pursue higher education, a career and his OE. Six years ago, Nick, his wife Christine and his young family decided to return to Central Otago and they haven’t looked back.

As Economic Development Manager, at the Central Otago District Council, Nick’s role is about creating an environment for the economy to prosper in a way that meets the aspirations and values of the community. Day-to-day this may involve connecting individual businesses with council processes or government funding opportunities, undertaking research to inform decision and policy makers, working with groups of businesses to overcome a collective problem such as labour shortages or creating an eco-system to support start-ups in Central.

Sally Smith

​​sallysmith103@xtra.co.nz

A leading business identity across the Roxburgh and Teviot Valley district, Sally is the owner of the iconic 103 The Store on Roxburgh's SH1 and has business interests across other sectors. Sally is also the Roxburgh and Districts Business Group convener.

Sally brings to the committee a deep appreciation for retail, hospitality and the needs of the community.

Rod Sinclair

Co-founder Southland Copier Company

With a background in Chartered Accountancy and a BCom in Accounting from Otago University, he founded Focus Technology Group in 1994, serving as CEO until 2022. Concurrently, he co-founded the Southland Copier Company and now serve as CFO. Transitioning to a full-time role in their software division based in Alexandra, he maintains strong ties to the community. Beyond business, he chaired the board of Myross Bush Primary school and served on the Southland Chamber of Commerce board.

Familywise, married for 29 years to Nan Sinclair, they've embraced rural living, moving to a 15-acre lifestyle block in Central Otago. Known for financial expertise and team-building skills, he advocate for local commerce while indulging in golf, hunting, and motorsports.

Vicki McLean

Business Owner at Central App

Vicki McLean has specialised in guiding businesses to transform themselves over the last two decades. She has used her expertise in senior leadership consulting for local and national companies including multinational corporations. A founder, senior leader, and owner of multiple businesses, including The Central App. With strong negotiation skills and strategic insight, Vicki is a valuable asset to the advisory board and is always ready to tackle complex challenges and lead effectively.

Bonnie Zareh

Director at Southern Peak Law

Bonnie Zareh has an honours degree in Law and a BA in Psychology. She is a director of Southern Peak Law, specialising in property, commercial, rural and relationship property law. 

Bonnie leads the Cromwell Business Network and is involved in various other community groups. From the primary school PTA, to being a business mentor for the Young Enterprise Scheme and heading up Cromwell DanceFit. 

Bonnie and her young family are living the dream on their lifestyle block and love all things Central Otago. Bonnie believes she will bring expertise, energy and representation for Cromwell to the position.

Annabel Berry

Creative Director of Design Federation

Annabel is the Creative Director of Design Federation, an award winning interior design studio and retail store based in the heart of Oamaru.

 Annabel is passionate about the community in particular supporting new and emerging businesses, the revitalization of the CBD, being an advocate for retail and marketing of the district.

 She is also a Mother of three children and supports her husband Simon with their family business Whitestone Cheese.

Geoff Douch

Chief Executive of Network Waitaki

Geoff is the Chief Executive of Network Waitaki, a role he has held since joining the company in 2019.  Prior to joining Network Waitaki, Geoff held a number of leadership, management and operational roles in the electricity distribution sector in New Zealand and has had a close association with the wider infrastructure sector over that time.

 Network Waitaki is a 100% locally owned electricity network company based in Oamaru supplying over 13,100 connected customers in North Otago and parts of South Canterbury, as well as undertaking electrical contracting work across the Otago region and further afield. Network Waitaki is both a significant regional employer and also a key part of powering the local economy now and into the future, and has a strong connection with the local business community.   

 Geoff is also a Board member and the vice president of the Electricity Engineers Association, a membership based industry association.

Julia McClennan

Business Manager, Westpac

Julia is a business manager for Westpac in Oamaru and part of a wider South Island Team and has been with this Company for over 20 years.. She is an active member in the North Otago Community and is very interested in seeing business thrive and prosper in this district.

Cara Tipping Smith

Founder and Co-director of The Business Hive

Cara is the founder and co-director of The Business Hive, Oamaru's coworking space and business support centre. Cara was a professional copywriter in the UK before bringing her trade back home to NZ. Arriving in the Waitaki in 2016, Cara saw the opportunity deliver the kinds of business infrastructure and support she experienced in bigger cities at home and abroad. Cara is Chair of Stronger Waitaki's Economic Development Group, part of Stewardship Groups for Stronger Waitaki, Waitaki Ara Kahui Ako and the Waitaki Community Hub project. She is a passionate champion of SMEs with a drive to get things done.