100% pure enjoyment

February 2009

In 2001, Narelle Clayton (GradDipTourism 2000) combined her marketing skills and her love of travel to secure a job at Tourism New Zealand’s (TNZ) London office.

Ms Clayton’s most recent role was events manager (UK and Europe). She staged events in the region to promote New Zealand as a tourist destination in line with the well-known 100% Pure New Zealand campaign. These ranged from trade and consumer shows in the UK, France, Scandinavia and Spain, to large-scale events associated with the America’s Cup, Chelsea Flower Show and the Rugby World Cup.

Prior to that, she had progressed through a variety of roles in TNZ’s public relations, marketing and trade development departments.

“I’ve loved promoting a destination that is so unique and amazing, and I’ve had the opportunity to experience some wonderful journeys in New Zealand. While promoting the destination to key clients from UK and Europe, I’ve been bungy jumping, jet boating, heli-hiking on glaciers, whale watching, cruising in Milford Sound … all in a day’s work!” Ms Clayton said.

Tourism New Zealand's giant inflatable rugby ball venue in London

Ms Clayton developed a love of travel from an early age and was a regular visitor to New Zealand (her mother was born in NZ). After completing her diploma she followed the advice of her Monash course director, moving to London to take up an internship with Tourism Australia. Four months later, she joined TNZ.

She believes her Monash course played a significant part in kick-starting her career.

“The [Monash] course was invaluable in equipping me with the skills and confidence to pursue a career in tourism along with an excellent base to build a network of contacts from,” Ms Clayton said.

Ms Clayton left TNZ in December 2008, returning to Melbourne where she hopes to further her career in events and/or tourism. She finished on a high note after organising a successful event that attracted global media attention.

“The most ambitious project I have worked on was the coordination of a series of events inside a giant inflatable rugby ball, brought to London to promote New Zealand as the host nation of the 2011 Rugby World Cup,” Ms Clayton said.

“We secured a prominent site for the rugby ball with the iconic Tower Bridge as a backdrop. On our opening day, visitors to the venue included the All Blacks rugby team, the New Zealand Prime Minister, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Queen of England!”