Meet the Judges

Peter McCormick - Managing Director Puma Darts

Judge of the
​INNOVATION AWARD

Peter is managing director of Puma Darts a local company with a long history of successful manufacturing and exporting.  Peter has a management degree from Waikato University, majoring in accounting and law.  He has worked in production management and exporting since 1994 and is a member of the EMA. He attended the local playcentre, primary school and college.  In addition to being a businessman, husband and father, Peter is the chairman of the Board of Trustees and Katikati College, as well as the president of the Pauanui Surf Lifesaving Club.

Brett Soutar - Director/Arborist
​Short Back n Sides

Judge of the
​ENVIRONMENTAL AND COMMUNITY AWARD

 
Brett is a long term Waihi Beach resident at 23 years. As a Teacher Brett taught both primary and at secondary levels and was part of the first group of teaching professionals to import and implement Enviro schools in New Zealand. Enviro Schools has become a significant program, now operating in kindergartens and primary and secondary schools across New Zealand. The aim to increase children’s and young adults’ awareness of the natural world and their impact on it; then find solutions to lessen that impact.

After leaving teaching Brett retrained as an Arborist and then an ISA qualified Arborist - one of 50 in New Zealand. Soon after that, he became an industry trainer. Brett consults for a variety of groups and Councils on hazard identification and mitigation as well as environmental impacts, and large scale planting plans for parks, reserves and waterways for erosion control. He teaches pruning classes to community groups, and Council working groups. He also teaches organic beekeeping and runs a small beekeeping business as a hobby. 

Bretts Arboriculture business - Short Back n Sides - is currently in its 21st year and is continuing to reuse and repurpose as much tree waste as possible.

Kath Low - Head of Marketing
​Tourism Bay of Plenty

Judge of the
​TOURISM AWARD

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Kath has worked in travel and tourism for at least 20 years. She has worked in senior management marketing roles within InterContinental Hotels Group and have also worked as GM Marketing and Business Development for Christchurch & Canterbury Tourism.

Following the earthquakes in Christchurch, and while working in a corporate marketing role, Kath was appointed to the board of CCT. Although she has also worked for the likes of Kathmandu, Solid Energy and ANZCO Foods, tourism is the industry she keep coming back to. "It is all about creating memories and focussing on what makes people happy".

THANKS VERY MUCH TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS!