Our Team
Kia ora – we are the people behind Tāhuna Beach Holiday Park. We are involved in the Park because we love Nelson, we love being involved in tourism and hospitality and we love sharing this special place with visitors.
70 Beach Road, Tāhunanui Nelson 7011
David Pattinson - Chief Executive
David has a long association with the Holiday Park having holidayed here every year with his family when a child and returning with his own family. A chartered accountant with more than 30 years’ experience, he opened and ran his own tourist attraction in the Nelson Tasman region for seven years giving him strong operational experience in the tourism sector.
David joined the Holiday Park in 2019 and became general manager at the end of 2020.
Joe Adams - Facilities Manager
Originally from the UK, Joe was a seasoned traveller by the time he came to live in New Zealand in 2013 after meeting his wife while backpacking. Having started his working life in the building trade, Joe moved into the Facilities Management sector where he has gained 10 years’ experience in several hands-on and management positions on both sides of the globe. He broadened his skills while exploring New Zealand, working in Dairy farming, Hospitality management, Sales and Orchard work before settling back into an FM role in Nelson in 2015.
Joe now oversees all the Facilities, Grounds and Maintenance around the Holiday Park.
Tina Thomas - Customer Services Manager
Tina’s career has spanned a number of roles in the customer services and health insurance industries including Sky Television, AIA (previously Sovereign) and Southern Cross, having identified that service excellence and process refinement was something she is drawn to and has a natural flair for. Tina joined us in December 2021, excited to be bringing her knowledge and skill base to the Holiday Park, and working alongside a team that she quickly recognised as dedicated to seamless service and genuine interest in a happy guest experience.
Debbie Armatage - Marketing, Communications and Events
Debbie trained as a journalist out of school then retrained in marketing after living in the UK for some years. Her career has spanned many years of marketing management and consulting, as well as journalism and public relations management, predominantly working in the Tourism, Food and Hospitality sectors. She has been in the Nelson region for several years after moving with her family from Christchurch. The Events part of her role with the Holiday Park covers the holiday programme we run during summer as well as our involvement in trade shows and community events.
Tracey Stuart - Housekeeping Manager
Originally from Wellington and trained as a hairdresser, Tracey moved to Nelson 25 years ago and fell in love with the place and the people.
She has previously worked as a caregiver at a retirement home, a supervisor and product service representative with New Zealand’s largest retail group, and held housekeeping roles over the years in various places including holiday homes, holiday parks, commercial offices and domestic homes. Joining the Tahuna Beach Holiday Park team in 2018, guest satisfaction is Tracey’s top priority.
Nicola Symonds - Accounts and HR
Nicola has called Nelson home for most of her life although travelled far and wide over the years. Handling the accounts for various sized businesses, property management and tour guiding around the South Island contribute to the broad skill base she brings to the role.
One of those essential sorts in any team, Nichola also helps out on Reception supporting the Customer Services when needed.
Housekeeping Team
Leanne, Natalya, Sam, Nicola, Jacqui, Teysha, Cynthia, Amber and Sarah. Our housekeeping team is known for their careful eye for detail and efficiency. Keeping all the surfaces clean and tidy, our guests’ comfort is their main priority.
Customer Service Team
Alison, Kim, Monika, Amelia and Wendy with manager Tina. This friendly, helpful team of customer relations professionals take care of our guests all day every day – from reservations to check-in, washing machine tokens to games equipment, and activity advice and bookings. Between them they speak five languages in addition to English: French, German, Spanish, Swiss-German and Portuguese.
Grounds and Maintenance Team
Gavin, Barry and Ian. This team has a wide range of hands-on skills that help keep the park in tip top shape year round. While no two days are the same, an average day might include anything from fixing a leaky tap and painting to mowing, and building things in the workshop to enhance the guest experience. They have invaluable knowledge of the inner workings of the park including all the plant and machinery that needs to be looked after.
Governing Board of Directors
The 54 acres that Tahuna Beach Holiday Park sits on is owned by Nelson City Council and leased back to the Tahuna Camp Incorporated Society to run the Park. Anyone can be a member of the society. The Board is elected from the society members or co-opted on, and board members serve two-year terms.
The current TBHP Board is:
Dennis Christian – Chair
Steve Cross – Vice Chair
Paul Dayman
John Murray
Melinda Harvey
Joy Shackleton
Melanie Madden
Prue Smith (Secretary)