WHAT WE DO
What does the Te Awamutu Business Chamber Do?
The Chamber runs a year round series of events, including networking and professional development opportunities. We also administer the Support Local Te Awamutu initiative and advocate for local business locally, regionally and nationally, providing support to help business thrive. Members can pick and choose from relevant support on offer to suit their individual business needs.
| Professional Development Events |
| Networking Events |
| News |
| Promotion |
| Advocacy |
| Support Local Te Awamutu |
OUR TEAM
Megan Port, CEO
Megan is excited to be taking up the mantle as CEO for the Te Awamutu Business Chamber.
She spent the first half of her career living in the corporate world, first as an auditor and Chartered Accountant for KPMG, then nearly a decade with Fonterra as an accountant and process improvement specialist.
After having her first baby 11 years ago, she had a total career change and started a photography business, specialising in newborn and family photography.
She's lived and breathed the small business space since then, and have seen first hand how valuable a strong Chamber can be in supporting businesses, and helping business owners feel like they aren’t alone in what can sometimes be a lonely space.
She is has worked with the Chamber as their Treasurer for the last couple of years, and is thrilled to be getting even more involved.
Megan knows a lot of our members already, but she is looking forward to meeting many more over the coming months!
Fran Jones, Office & Events Manager
Fran Jones is the "jack of all trades" at the Te Awamutu Business Chamber. She is the friendly voice at the end of the phone, and the smiley face that greets our members at our events!
Fran has extensive experience in the administrative sector, particularly specialising in marketing, events management and communications.
Fran moved back to New Zealand in 2018 after spending ten years living and working in Melbourne.
She was raised in a small community and has fond memories of her childhood. Moving back to New Zealand and settling down in Kihikihi was the best decision for her and her family. Her children attend a rural primary school where she serves as board member.
Fran is passionate about her local community and enjoys her diverse role at the Chamber. She is a people person, and the best part of her job is interacting with our Chamber members.
OUR BOARD
Maria Heslop, Chair
Chair / Investment Adviser and NZX Adviser
Craigs Investment Partners
Maria is the Chair of the Te Awamutu Business Chamber and an investment adviser for Craigs Investment Partners servicing the Waikato with a large client base locally.
She was born and bred in Te Awamutu and her husband and son both work for businesses here. Maria does a lot of work in the community through Craigs for numerous organisations in sport, environmental, art, charitable trusts, women’s organisations and more.
Maria absolutely loves all things business and the Chamber is the essence of that. The Chamber is a strong, vibrant, growth orientated business hub where like-minded people network, learn and do business together and Maria loves being a part of making that happen and helping to govern its bright future.
Aaron Karam
Salon Manager and qualified hairdresser
Team Seven Hairdressing
Aaron is a qualified hairdresser and Salon Manager at Team Seven Hairdressing in Te Awamutu.
Aaron discovered that hairdressing was a great way of gaining valuable local knowledge from his client-base. His clients represent all pockets of the Te Awamutu community - from people who own businesses or belong to community groups.
Aaron has previous committee experience from roles he's filled within the New Zealand Association of Hairdressers.
Aaron is looking forward to help build on the strengths we have as a town and to make use of the valuable information he gets from his local clients.
James Clark
Owner / Operator, FreshChoice Te Awamutu
James has owned FreshChoice in Te Awamutu since 2018, employing over 40 staff.
Prior to moving to Te Awamutu, James and his wife Vanessa spent 17 years running a Contract Cleaning Company specialising in servicing the Supermarket industry.
James gained an MBA from Massey University in 2002.
James sits on the Brand Management Committee for the FreshChoice Group and is currently part of the executive working group for FreshChoice / Woolworths New Zealand negotiating for a fair pay agreement for the Supermarket industry.
Part of the rebuilding of Fresh Choice Te Awamutu was the strong commitment James had to the local community. FreshChoice sponsors many local sporting clubs, charities, and local individuals.
Enjoying the pace and the people of Te Awamutu, James is looking forward to actively contributing to the success of the Chamber and the wider community.
Tania Green
Partner at Findex
Tania is a partner at Findex Te Awamutu and a qualified Chartered Accountant.
Born in Whanganui, Tania moved to Te Awamutu for school and has been here ever since, except for an OE she had in London for a couple of years.
Tania has been an accountant all her working life and got chartered in 1997. She worked for and eventually owned Kelly & Bryant Chartered Accountants Ltd, this went on to become Findex where she is currently an associate partner.
Tania is involved in a range of community groups – Altrusa International of Te Awamutu, Te Awamutu Sports Netball Club, Te Awamutu Sports Hockey Club, Stewart Alexander Golf Club.
She always puts her hand up to help in any finance capacity and is passionate about Te Awamutu and its business community.
Being on the Chamber board Tania would like to ensure all business owners make the most of what the Chamber can do for them.
Wendy Knight
Property Brokers
Wendy is a local and experienced real estate professional, and has had the privilege of working closely with the Te Awamutu community for many years. Her career has been built on strong relationships, honest communication and a commitment to helping people achieve their goals.
She is currently working under the Bayleys banner, and combines the strength of a national brand with a genuine local focus.
Bayleys will be opening a new office on the main street of Te Awamutu in October this year, a move that reflects their long-term investment in the town and commitment to supporting local growth.
Wendy lives locally, and her husband grew up in the area where he attended Pirongia School and Te Awamutu College - they know the town well!
With a background in sales as well as strong administration skills, she's passionate about championing Te Awamutu’s growth while keeping our unique local character front and centre.
She's keen to support the Chamber by bringing a practical perspective and a willingness to get involved and do the work.
Monique Venn
Business Owner, Virtually Venn
Monique is a proud Te Awamutu local since 2013 and a Chamber Member for the last two years.
For the last three years Monique has run her own business, providing executive assistant services to C-suite executives and independent directors in high-level governance. She enjoys the challenge both professionally and personally and it has taught her a lot of skills including resilience, planning, strategy and leadership.
Prior to owning her own business, Monique was an executive assistant on the senior leadership team for an agri-business in Te Awamutu. She's also had many years working in the corporate sector including finance, real estate and IT.
Monique also serves as board secretary for the Waikato Rowing Association.
Monique loves being a member of the Te Awamutu Business Chamber, meeting people, forming connections and contributing to our local community.
Monique is always up for a challenge and likes to expand her knowledge by taking on new opportunities. She brings a unique perspective to the board and is excited to help local businesses thrive.
Louis Wilks
Business Owner, King Tide Marketing
Originally from Auckland, Louis moved to the Waikato in 2012 to study and subsequently began his career in marketing.
His partner introduced him to Te Awamutu and he has called it home for several years now.
To date, Louis has been successful in his marketing career, launching products, living internationally, and taking on senior executive roles.
He took the leap in 2024 to start his own sales and marketing business, King Tide, based in Kihikihi and servicing clients across New Zealand, Australia, and Europe.
He considers himself to be civic-minded, practical, and fluent in the language of marketing.
He is excited to utilise these attributes to support the Chamber in its mission to champion Te Awamutu businesses.
Kate Donghi, Treasurer
Business Owner, Beyond Bold Bookkeeping
Originally from Auckland, Kate left straight after completing her Bachelor of Nursing, living and working in Thames and Hamilton before meeting her husband (a Taranaki local), deciding ‘the big smoke’ wasn’t her vibe and settling in Te Awamutu in 2019.
After a career change, a Diploma in Business (Accounting) and a few years of corporate and contracting work, she took a leap of faith in 2023 and opened the doors to her own business, Beyond Bold Bookkeeping.
She now works with retail and e-commerce brands across Aotearoa, helping them simplify their finances and streamline their processes so that they can grow with confidence.
With an aptitude for numbers and a gentle approach (thanks to her nursing background), Kate brings calm clarity to the often messy world of business bookkeeping.
She’s especially passionate about empowering small, female-owned brands to step into their space with confidence.
As Treasurer, she is thrilled to support the Chamber and contribute to a business community she’s proud to call home.
OUR SPONSORS
Get in touch
office@teawamutuchamber.org.nz
07 392 0007
