Waikato’s regional economic development agency Te Waka has appointed a new Strategic Partnerships and Projects Manager, Michelle Hollands.

Hollands brings strong strategic business experience to the organisation, having spent the last five years as General Manager (Regional Leadership) at Sport Waikato.

There she worked across government-funded projects, using funding from local authorities and central government (via Sports New Zealand) to deliver opportunities for people in the community to be physically active.

Prior to this, Hollands worked as a Commercial Strategy Consultant for nearly 15 years in Christchurch. In that role she worked with privately owned commercial entities looking for growth opportunities for their businesses.

In accepting her new position, Hollands says that one of the attractions of the role at Te Waka is that it gives her an opportunity to work in an organisation that partners with connections she made during her time working in sport.

“More so it gives me a chance to use the commercial strategic skillset that I have developed over my career.

“I’m excited by the prospect of working in economic development and business growth and partnering with local businesses.

“It’s a start-up opportunity. Te Waka is a fresh organisation with lots of opportunities to cement it’s place and presence amongst Waikato businesses with huge potential,” says Ms Hollands.

Hollands thrives on making complex scenarios simpler to understand and tackle, a skill she hopes to use as Strategic Partnerships and Projects Manager.

Te Waka CEO Michael Bassett-Foss says the organisation is delighted to have Hollands on board.
“Michelle brings a wealth of experience guiding businesses with straightforward strategic business advice, and managing large projects from beginning to end, so we’re pleased to have her joining the team at Te Waka.”

Hollands starts her new role at Te Waka on Monday 26 August.