The graduates were: Amanda Debenham, Discover the World, mentor: Mark Kennedy; Ashleigh Boyes, Allianz Partners, mentor: Tim Swan; Gabby Oliver, Oceania Cruises, mentor: Leanne Cheesman; Karyn McCutcheon, Globus family of brands, mentor: Tony Laskey; Kirsty Latham, Travel Managers, mentor: Kim Wethmar (Australia); Maree Robinson, The Walshe Group, mentor: Ange Middleton (Australia); Robyn Oretsky, Tandem Travel, mentor: Chris Jones; Selese Rowe, Travel Managers, mentor: David Caldwell.
TIME NZ’s Margaret Spiro made special mention to McCutcheon who travelled back from Sydney for her graduation and also to two mentors, Kim Wethmar and Ange Middleton who have both been mentoring New Zealand mentees and came across the Tasman for their graduation.
Another four new mentees joined the programme on Wednesday for intake 12: Esther Ru Bay, House of Travel Papamoa (NCL scholarship); Kate Tawhai, Travel Managers Group (Expedia TAAP scholarship); Paige Myocevich, Air New Zealand; Scott Jackson, Air New Zealand.
A total of 41 mentees have graduated since TIME was launched in NZ 2020 and there are currently an additional 12 mentees taking their TIME journey.
The TIME NZ chair, Andrew Gay reiterated his plea to attract more mentors. ‘We have a serious need for more mentors, we are having to send people (who want to be mentees) away. We’d like to encourage previous mentees to think about becoming mentors themselves.’
The function was hosted in conjunction with Tourism Australia and state and territory partners.
Angela Middleton, NCL; Joe O’Sullivan, Cruise World; Kate Tawhai, Travel Managers
Mike Van Beekhuizen, Allianz Partners (second from left), Jo Inglis, Courtnay-Jane (CJ) McCarthy, Tim Swan, all Air New Zealand 
Daniel Wright, Tourism Australia; Yvonne McMurtrie, Robyn Oretsky, both Tandem Travel; David Caldwell, STH New Zealand
