Steve Lee

Director

Born in Fiji in the late 50’s, Steve has spent all his working life in the travel industry.

Brought up in Hawkes Bay he attended Bledisloe School, Taradale Intermediate and Napier Boys High before moving to Palmerston North and spending the last 2 years of secondary school at Palmerston North Boys High. Leaving Boys High he moved to Wellington to take up a cadet role at the Government Tourist Bureau and after two years returned to Palmy to join Dalgety Travel.

Another two years passed before the big OE beckoned and he travelled to the UK via Australia and Africa before joining NZ-owned Dalgety World Travel working in the corporate division for two years. Then off to Canada as Player/Coach for a rugby club in Winnipeg for a season before returning to Palmerston North to take up the role of manager for Dalgety Travel. Over that time many owners ensued – Dalgety Crown Travel, Focus Travel, Synergi Travel, TQ3Navigant and lastly Carlson Wagonlit Travel, before the formation of NZ Travel Brokers.

He has been married for over 30 years to Vicki, a musician & piano teacher, who was an integral part of the band ‘the String of Pearls’ for many years and travelled regularly with the late Sir Howard Morrison as a keyboard player and backing vocalist. She has also done several tours with Dame Malvina Major. Steve and Vicki have two adult boys in their late 20’s, John & Mike.

mobile: +64 274 811 411

email: steve.lee@nztravelbrokers.co.nz

Guy Flynn

Director

Guy Flynn is a Director of NZ Travel Brokers; he is actively involved in Broker Recruitment, Sales, Finance, Technology Solutions and overall Business Governance.

Based in Wellington, Guy has been involved in the travel & tourism industry since the late 80’s. After graduating with a Diploma in Hotel Management, he cemented his passion for the travel industry in his younger years travelling extensively to more than 50 countries over a 5 year period on his OE.

Guy’s career initiated in the hotel sector and progressed to Corporate Travel with Focus Travel, Synergi Travel, TQ3Navigant and Carlson Wagonlit Travel. During that time, he established his career with roles of consultancy, Sales Manager and Manager.

This was followed by the decision to partner with Steve Lee and establish NZ Travel Brokers in 2007. Since then his passion and drive has been to focus on all things ‘Travel Brokers’, aside from his family of course.

mobile: +64 274 811 412

email: guy.flynn@nztravelbrokers.co.nz

Kim Diamond

Business Systems & Implementation Manager

Kim Diamond is the Business Systems & Implementation Manager, based in Wellington.

She has acquired an abundance of knowledge, experience and expertise across a broad scope of travel sectors since entering the travel industry in 1990.

Her industry journey has spanned from Passport Holidays – American Express (London) – Synergi Travel – TQ3Navigant – Carlson Wagonlit Travel – NZ Travel Brokers.

Throughout her journey, her career has been guided from consultancy roles – Operations Manager – Business Process Analyst – Business Systems & Implementation Manager.

As Business Systems & Implementation Manager, she performs a visionary role to optimise our operation. Her focus is to manage system & infrastructure performance, project manage business improvement initiatives; manage the Broker on-boarding process and all training and development requirements. Kim is indeed an asset to our team to ensure we are operating to an optimum level.

When she isn’t travelling, she passionately spends her time with all things yoga, from teaching to participating in classes, workshops & retreats.

mobile: +64 274 811 415

email: kim.diamond@nztravelbrokers.co.nz

Kirsty Howlett

Client Services Manager

Kirsty is originally from Wellington and started in Travel over 25 years ago, beginning her career with AA Travel as a domestic consultant and then moving on to work at WP Maher Travel in Wellington.

Wanting to pursue her career she studied her Iata Diploma to get recognised as an International Consultant and headed to Australia. Working for 8 years in Sydney she managed to widen her knowledge and extend her work experience within the industry from retail, corporate, groups and wholesale travel before becoming a Travel Manager for one of Australia’s largest retail chains.

Moving to Perth, she decided to focus on Corporate Leisure and Incentive Travel for the same chain and enjoyed a further 2 years in this role before deciding to return back to New Zealand to take a break from the Industry. Taking a break from the Industry and being involved in a family run business and then becoming a mum gave her time to refresh and realise her true passion was to continue back in the Travel Industry, returning in 2003 to work 10 years for House of Travel as a Leisure Consultant and lastly Orbit at Massey University as a Corporate Travel Consultant.

Joining us in 2014 Kirsty enjoys the mix of looking after Brokers in a Support Role and maintaining her knowledge and skills looking after corporate clients for business travel along with detailed Leisure Trips.  Kirsty has travelled extensively through the majority of Australia as far north as Cairns and as south as Hobart. Her favourite destinations around the world are Colorado, New York, Canada, Italy, Switzerland and parts of Europe and she has also travelled through most Asian Countries and the Pacific.

mobile: +64 274 815 492

email: kirsty.howlett@nztravelbrokers.co.nz

Rachael Rowe

Client Services

Rachael brings all the knowledge that naturally comes with an individual who has been dedicated to travel consulting for over 29 years. We are indeed privileged to have Rachael on our team.

Born and educated in the Manawatu, Rachael started her travel career in Taupo in 1988 before returning to Palmerston North in 1992 and joining Steve Lee back then at Focus Travel. During her lengthy time there, Rachael demonstrated commitment beyond the norm and had undertaken a variety of important roles within that organisation.

In her personal time, Rachael is a mad keen sportsperson having represented Manawatu in her chosen sports Tennis and Hockey. Her efforts on the sports field are mirrored in the work environment where she has also highly achieved. Now with NZ Travel Brokers, Rachael will focus on consulting to the local market and supporting our wider team.

Her experience and passion for the travel industry and dedication to the customer will prove invaluable and complimentary to our success.

mobile: +64 27 372 7901

email: rachael.rowe@nztravelbrokers.co.nz

Rochelle Julian

Client Services

Rochelle was born & raised in Palmerston North before moving to Sydney with her family in 1985.

In 1991, Rochelle attained her Travel Diploma and she has now returned to her home town, joining us in 2012 with 20 years of experience working in the travel industry primarily working in Sydney. Her first job as an 18 year old was with Value Tours for 8 years and then with Gullivers Sport Travel for 13 years. Within this time she has had various roles from reception, through to wholesale supervisor and then as a group consultant for the last 13 years.

She has travelled to mainland USA & Hawaii, Canada, the UK, South Africa, Hong Kong, Singapore and Bali along with travel within Australia & New Zealand. Upon returning to Palmerston North, she was employed by House of Travel as a leisure consultant and has found her way back into groups which is her passion.

mobile: +64 21 118 0155

email: rochelle.julian@nztravelbrokers.co.nz

Kathryn Sinclair

Client Services

Adding to the considerable experience of the Palmerston North team, Kathryn brings a wealth of retail leisure knowledge to the office.

Kathryn began her travel career at STA Travel as a Travel Advisor in Palmerston North in 1992 before becoming the Branch Sales Manager of Palmerston North in 1995 for 3 years before starting a family. During the children’s (Monika, Matt & Emma) early years she took on a part-time role as Travel Advisor at STA for several years to keep her hand in, subsequently joining House of Travel for 4 years.

mobile: +64 273 088 811

email: kathryn.sinclair@nztravelbrokers.co.nz

Michele Averis

Finance Manager

Michele joined NZ Travel Brokers in May 2010, and is now the Finance Manager, leading a team of 3. She has over 30 years experience in Finance and Office Administration, from foreign exchange dealing with a major New Zealand trading bank, to accounting and administration with various companies ranging from property valuers, public relations to a shipping company.

She has always had a keen interest in travel and has travelled widely.While working in Foreign Exchange she spent time working and living in London and Singapore. In 2011 she completed her Level 4 qualification at UCOL in Palmerston North to further her knowledge of the travel industry.

mobile: +64 21 184 8546

email: michele.averis@nztravelbrokers.co.nz

Kirstie Mayo

Finance Administrator

Kirstie has worked in the travel industry since 2014 and is the finance administrator, working closely with the finance and administrative team.

Originally from Marton, Kirstie spent around 16 years with the Rangitikei District Council in various roles including Executive Assistant to the Mayor and Chief Executive Officer.  After starting a family she worked part-time keeping her hand in office administration roles.

Kirstie has three children (Olivia, Charlie and Hannah) and lives in Palmerston North with her family.

Kirstie has a keen interest in travel, and her strong administration and financial skills make her a great asset to the team.

mobile: +64 27 202 5787

email: kirstie@nztravelbrokers.co.nz

Ange Bocock

Marketing Manager

As Marketing Manager, Ange leads our marketing team. She is responsible for marketing NZ Travel Brokers as a whole and supporting our broker team with their marketing efforts.

Originally from New Plymouth, Ange moved to Palmerston North to complete her degree in Marketing from Massey University. After graduation, she never got around to leaving the Manawatu and worked for a range of local businesses as a marketing consultant before joining NZ Travel Brokers in 2015.

Ange has travelled throughout Europe, the UK, the USA, Australia, the pacific islands and around New Zealand.

mobile: +64 21 263 1595

email:  ange.bocock@nztravelbrokers.co.nz

Pip Fear

Business Improvement Co-ordinator

Pip comes extremely well qualified and experienced to the role of Training & Development Co-ordinator, a newly created role in 2015.

Having attained her Certificate in Travel in 1997, Pip then began her career in the Travel Industry.  She spent four years working for Rosenbluth International Travel, moving through the ranks from receptionist to senior consultant, followed by four years working for a corporate travel agency in London and travelling around Europe.

Returning to Auckland in 2005 she attained a role working for Travelport as a trainer.  After covering a maternity leave contract in this role for one year, she then moved to FCm travel as a team leader.  After 10 months in with FCm, Travelport came calling and it was back to working as a trainer – a role that she is very passionate about.

Joining NZ Travel Brokers in 2015, Pip’s strong travel and training background will assist her greatly in the role of Training & Development Co-ordinator.

mobile: +64 21 022 17 182

email:  pip.fear@nztravelbrokers.co.nz

Ashleigh Prendergast

Travel Administrator

When you call or drop by the support office in Palmerston North, Ashleigh will be your first point of contact.

Ashleigh relocated to the Manawatu from Wellington in July 2016, previously working in admin in Lower Hutt and with children as a centre educator and at an after school program.

Although she is new to the travel industry, Ashleigh has her sights set on exploring one day.

Ashleigh brings with her strong organisational skills and a real passion for helping people, therefore a great asset to the support office and the wider broker team.

phone: +64 6 356 9988

email:  ashleigh.prendergast@nztravelbrokers.co.nz

Jessie Renton

Marketing Assistant

Born and raised in Palmerston North Jessie has lived in Palmerston North almost her entire life. After moving to Auckland for a brief period after high school, she decided to come back to her hometown to study at Massey University.

She has recently completed her Bachelor of Arts; Majoring in Media Studies and minoring in Marketing. She has always enjoyed helping people; spending a lot of her formative years in scouting, going on to achieve her queen scout just after returning to Palmerston North.

phone: +64 6 350 3849

email:  jessie.renton@nztravelbrokers.co.nz

Stewart Green

Operations Support

Stewart is the newest member of the NZ Travel Brokers support team.

His first job after leaving St Johns College in Hastings was with Westpac, which gave him an insight into the travel industry through Westpac Travel.

Stewart has been in the travel industry for 35 years and has held a variety of consulting, training, store management and project management roles in retail, corporate and wholesale with Thomas Cook, Travelex, GO Holidays and Air New Zealand.

He has a Diploma in Business Management Level 5 and is also an accredited trainer for Sabre Red Workspace Reservations and Ticketing and Sabre Agency Manager.

In 2010 he joined Air New Zealand to set up and oversee the Air New Zealand Holidays Travel Broker group. The majority of the Air New Zealand Holidays Brokers were merged into the NZTB group from July 2018.

phone: +64 27 445 5919

email: stewart.green@nztravelbrokers.co.nz