About WEN

The establishment Steering group Was Formed from a cross-section of local business.

The steering group formed after the first convening workshop in March with members now serving on the governance board. Currently we’re recruiting for Chair, Treasurer and Secretary roles.

They've done the hard yards to get us to incorporation and launch.

We encourage you to register for our launch, check out the roles we are recruiting for, or sign up as a member.

You can download our prospectus here.

Marchelle Dann

Marchelle Dann  has more than 30 years of experience across the private and corporate sectors. She has worked in sales, management, marketing, and business development; across industries including pharmaceutical, skincare and real estate. She also established New Zealand’s first mobile appearance-medicine company which became a national brand. 

Over the past five years she has built her One Agency real estate business in Buller, and is dedicated to helping clients navigate the buying and selling process. Marchelle is also involved in a number of sporting and community groups, and is dedicated to supporting the community. 

One Agency Real Estate

Chrissie Dorey

Chrissie’s background is in retail banking, and she has transitioned into working as a Community Connector for Heartland Services, and a Real Estate Sales agent contracted to Ray White.

Chrissie spent time working in the Flood Recovery Community Hub, after the 2021 Westport floods, and there she saw first-hand the power of collective action.

For Chrissie, it’s important that we continue connecting, sharing, and empowering others every time we gather to build a resilient future for Westport together. Being part of a supportive business association is just another way she continues to give back to the community. 


Ray White Real Estate
ASURE Chelsea Gateway

David Gill

David Gill is a Westport-based business owner and operator with experience across accommodation, tourism, property operations and customer-focused service industries.  He has developed extensive experience in business operations, team coordination, property management, logistics and guest experience. Alongside his work in Buller, David also operates additional motel and property businesses in the North Island

Before moving into accommodation and tourism, he worked within healthcare services, where he developed a strong connection to community and people-focused support. That experience continues to influence how he approaches business today — with empathy, communication and a genuine commitment to helping others at the centre of his work.


Rachelle Henham

Heritage Jewellers

Rachelle's parents owned the jewellery shop in Westport for more than 35 years, and her mum was heavily involved in local business groups and was an integral part of the initial Main Street beautification projects. Rachelle is determined to contribute in the same way. With a background in retail and childcare, she spent 15 years working in Australia and Nelson before returning to Westport with her free sons. 

She is a founding member of Promoting Buller Inc and the Westport Enterprise Network and looks forward to the outcomes of current and upcoming projects. She says, "The future is in our hands, let's work together and make the most of it."

Luke Robertson

Shortjaw Brewing

Luke is the co-owner and founder of Shortjaw Brewing. He has worked a number of jobs, from unloading fishing boats on the Westport wharf to management roles in corporate media. For the past 16 years he’s worked in the beer industry, where he is a published author and award winning writer.

Since moving back to Westport, after 17 years in Melbourne, he has been focussed not only on Shortjaw Brewing, but the wider community. He volunteers with Civil Defence, and works for an environmental trust. Luke is passionate about connecting business, community, and the enviornment, in meaningful ways.

Not voting observers (associate membership tier):

Paul Zaanen

Buller District Council

To come

Creedmore Communicate & WEN Project Lead

Jessie Creedmore

Jessie has experience in marketing, product development, regional development, tourism, event delivery and project management, with earlier work in tech and systems administration. Her business, Creedmore Communicate, works across agencies, trusts, businesses and community organisations on the West Coast. This includes O'Conor Home's expansion fundraising, co-delivering the THRIVE economic diversification and resilience forum, activating KNECT's local food project, and leading establishment work for the Westport Enterprise Network.

She grew up off-grid in the Ruatiti Valley in the central North Island, which shaped how she works: practical, resourceful, and relentless commitment to get things across the line.


Kara Gray Smith 

Gray Smith Creative

Kara has almost three decades experience in photography, tourism, storytelling and publishing.

She has worked for regional tourism organisations, destination marketing groups and hospitality businesses. This includes producing content for digital platforms, visitor guides, and editorial campaigns. This includes RTO, Queensland Country Tourism, Drive Inland, Toowoomba Regional Council and LTO High Country Hamlets.

Kara is now creative director of Gray Smith Creative, a multi-media and photographic art gallery. She is also editor-in-chief of a new magazine, Sense and Wander, capturing long-form stories and artful photography of the West Coast, New Zealand.

Chris Jennens

Fresh Choice Westport

Chris Jennens is a co-owner of FreshChoice Westport. Since taking over the supermarket, less than a year ago with his wife Rose, Chris has quickly become involved in community initiatives, events, and conversations focused on the future of Buller.

Chris has a practical mindset, a strong work ethic, and a willingness to learn from others. Through the challenges and opportunities of running a local business, he has developed a growing appreciation for the importance of collaboration, local networks, and communities that back each other. As a father of two children, Chris is passionate about helping create a stronger future for Westport — a community where families, businesses, and people can continue to grow and succeed..


Ruby Eriksen

Buller District Council

Ruby founded and ran The Nourish Nook, with her partner Max from 2020-2025. Through that she built strong relationships across Westport and she saw first hand how much local businesses rely on each other,

Working with Buller REAP has strengthened those connections for Ruby. She began in the Mayor’s Taskforce for Jobs, and is now running the Adult Community Education Space, and coordinating an employment program.

This sees her working with the community at many ends of the spectrum.  Ruby has a passion for seeing Westport businesses grow, innovate, and succeed, and she’s excited to help shape a network that brings people together and strengthens our town’s future.