Committee - 2011

Emma Puletaha - Chairperson

Emma Puletaha has been on the Halamoana committee for the last 2 years and has loved every minute of it. When the position of Chairperson became available, Emma with her experience and abilities, was the obvious candidate.

Emma started her rise in the hospitality industry 16 years ago in the shearing capital of the world, but after realising that Te Kuiti was not quite for her, she headed to New Plymouth. Emma began work at Crowded House 13 years ago soon becoming an indispensible manager, proving her worth so great she was made a shareholder last year. Emma also is the Marketing Manager of KDJ Ltd which runs 3 of the area’s top hospo venues including Taranaki’s largest independent music venue.

Not content to just keep revenues increasing across the board at 4 large venues with her marketing flair Emma has also been instrumental in the Central Business District Alcohol Accord. As its Co-crdinator since it was formed in 2009, Emma as worked tirelessly with Licencees, Police and DLA to keep the streets safer and create a better environment for all.

Emma’s passion and drive that she puts into everything she does, backed up by goddess like powers of organisation, will doubtless make this another superb event.

Caroline Medway-Smith

Caroline started her hospitality journey in Glasgow some 36 years ago, the highlights of her career would be the parts of the world it has taken her e.g. London, the Middle East, Borneo, India, China and New Zealand. Being passionate about Food and Beverage Service and training people in this sector, she was lucky enough to be able to combine the two and found herself in the tertiary sector for a number of years here in New Zealand. Carloines focus now is still with training and has the good fortune to work for HSI. This enables Caroline to keep her hand in with training and to be involved with competition work both regionally and nationally in the training of competitors and in the judging process.

The most satisfying aspect for Caroline is training young people for competition, to see the progression from someone who is unpolished but keen and has the right attitude, to the polished gem who smiles excitedly when receiving their medals. The growth and journey that person goes on is what one can only describe as the most rewarding aspect of training at competition level.

Brooke Wolfe

Born and bred in Taranaki, Brooke is passionate about this province.

Having left New Plymouth in 1991 he ended up in Auckland working for a corporate design company. While working late and long hours to endless deadlines he was introduced to BurgerFuel.

After 5 years of the rat race in Auckland he moved back home, brining BurgerFuel with him.

BurgerFuel was Brooke’s first step into the hospitality world and now six years on he has not looked back.

Brooke has been a member of the committee for four years, two of them serving as co-chairperson.

Jade Morgan

Jade has been involved in the Halamoana Hospitality Awards since it's inception in 2006.

The original committee members chose About Image, of which Jade is a shareholder, designer and art director, for the Halamoana graphic and web site design. The web site and annual concept designs continue to be provided via sponsorship from About Image.

Through this work, Jade has become a firm supporter of the awards, made many friend in the industry and in 2010 was invited to join the committee.

Jade is committed to providing a fresh new look each year to revitalize the awards and make them interesting and enjoyable for the industry nominees.

Sonya Cole

Sonya has been a member of the Halamoana committee for three years. Through her company Designed Weddings & Events she provides the administration and event co-ordination for the Awards.

Sonya brings with her a strong administration background, working in a wide range of industries both in New Zealand and internationally in Sydney and London. Her passion for events was sparked when she planned her own wedding and was further fuelled when she worked as an executive assistant for a high-profile business woman in Auckland, planning extravagant soirees.

Her co-ordination and organisational skills combined with an aptitude for event management and a natural flair for styling and design we are thrilled to have Sonya as part of our committee providing us with such wonderful support.

Joe Deegan

Born in Ireland began work in hospitality at 14 as Kitchen porter. Joined Royal Caribbean Cruise line in 1988 and worked in various roles within the F&B department. Moved to New Plymouth in 2001 and after stints at The Devon and Grand Central moved to PIHMS in 2006 as a Food and Beverage Instructor.

Has been on the RANZ Taranaki Committee since 2007 serving as President since 2010. Joe is married to Colleen and they have 3 young children. As well as supporting all things "hospo" in Taranaki Joe is still an active member of Taranaki Rugby referees Association.

Josh Silby

Joshua Sibly operates the Stumble Inn, in Merrilands, and is the 'Cafés' representative. He has enjoyed being part of the Halamoana Awards for the past two years, and is a passionate advocate for both Hospitality and the Taranaki Region as a whole.

Being on the committee has also provided Josh with an opportunity to network with like minded 'hospo' people. This thoughts on the industry – "I have found hospitality work attracts a 'special' type of person, generally someone who is outgoing, 'interesting', efficient and especially people who know how to have fun!" "I'm looking forward to another great celebration of everything 'Hospo'!"

Denis Duthie

Denis started his career in hospitality as an Apprentice Chef in the New Zealand Army in 1963. During his apprenticeship he sent on various postings to T.H.C Hotels and overseas with the army.

After leaving the army he ran his own business for a year before heading off on a OE. He spent six years travelling and learning in Australia, Asia, England and Europe and worked in a great variety of places and positions in the industry.

He returned to New Zealand in the early eighties and held the position of Executive Chef for Lion Breweries in Auckland and then the Travelodge in Wellington.

He then relocated to New Plymouth in 1991 and took up his teaching role at WITT, which he enjoys immensely, and he still holds. To “keep his hand in” he works weekends at Tairoa Lodge in Hawera.

It’s been a busy 48 years for Denis – his summary of his career “Hospitality is a great job”.

Linda Morrison

Linda says she has always been involved in “hospitality” in some form.  In her early career, working in hospitality supplemented her main income and she worked in restaurants in New Plymouth before heading to Europe on her OE and working in the UK where she gained bar experience.

After three years away Linda returned to New Plymouth where she worked in her parents catering business before heading to Wellington to manage a busy Motel.  After living away for 10 years Linda returned back to Taranaki and eventually moved south to Hawera where she and her husband Steve started their business Tairoa Lodge.  The Lodge provides boutique accommodation, out-catering and a venue for weddings and private functions.

Linda says the best part about her work is meeting all the wonderful people from around the globe who have stayed at the Lodge.  All the hard work over the past ten years was rewarded last year when Tairoa Lodge won the Westpac Taranaki Chamber of Commerce Tourism & Hospitality Award.  Linda is proud to support and represent the hospitality businesses in South Taranaki.

Shona Nicholson

Shona has worked in the hospitality industry all her working life, apart from a stint in retail management before taking up an offer from' Southern Catering Ltd' to come back to Taranaki and as manager of the 'TSB Hub' in Hawera.

The Dawson Falls Lodge is where it started for Shona, at the tender age of 14, she has also worked in the Hawke's Bay and Waikato in various cafes and restaurants including function centre's and chartered river cruise boats before coming back to New Plymouth where she now lives.

Even though Shona still thrives on front of house service and being hands on she became more involved in the management side at an early age but still is passionate in bringing the young and keen through the industry and also manages two consultancy role's as well as judging for the occasional food competition.

This is Shona's first year on the Halamoana committee and her extensive experience in the industry and in particular her connection with South Taranaki is a proving valuable.