Our Team
TRACEY RUDDUCK
Tracey Rudduck took over the reigns as Chief Executive in June 2004 and one of her first tasks was the rebranding of the Tauranga Community Arts Council Incorporated - to Creative Tauranga. She is extremely passionate and heavily committed to her role in leading Creative Tauranga in supporting and nurturing the arts and cultural sector of this community - now and into the future.
Tracey has had a wide and varied 27 year career, having lived 7 of those years in the UK and 15 in Tauranga. Prior to joining Creative Tauranga Tracey had her own business and her years of experience cover events management, team building, public relations, marketing and networking.
TE RAHUI AUGUST
Mai Rangipoua ki Rua Taranaki, mai Ngati Rangiwewehi, hoki penei mai ki Mauao e tau ana, tenei he uri no nga iwi, Ngai Te Rangi, Ngati Ranginui me Ngati Pukenga.
Born and raised in Tauranga Moana, Te Rahui August joined Creative Tauranga as the Maori Arts and Culture Co-ordinator - a community based position three years in the making.
After ten years in the media industry, Te Rahui is home to help support and foster Maori artists of Tauranga Moana and the Western Bay of Plenty. She has a Communications degree from the Auckland University of Technology and dedicates much of her spare time to organising community events.
Te Rahui is passionate about enhancing and creating more opportunities for interaction with Maori art, helping Maori artists achieve their own goals while promoting the Western Bay of Plenty as a strong artistic and cultural region.
DENNY SPEE
Member of the renowned Tarnished Frocks and Diva's team, Denny Spee has joined the Creative Tauranga team as the 'Creative Connector' - putting the pro in promotions. In charge of marketing, promoting and distributing Creative Beat, Denny has an advertising package to suit all budgets.
Denny's loves are music, dance, theatre, her seven mokopuna and her husband... especially when he does the dishes! From a family of singers and entertainers, Denny spent ten years as a dance instructor at her very own dance school based in the heart of Mount Maunganui.
For all advertising enquires and questions about our magazine 'Creative Beat' give Denny a call because she would love to help you in anyway she can.
JOHN BEECH
John joined the Creative Tauranga team in November 2008 as Community Arts Advisor/Gallery Curator, after having run his own gallery in Downtown Tauranga for the past two years. John has also had 15 years involvement with the Art industry in New York City as an art consultant and gallery owner.
Born in the Bay of Plenty and now residing here, he is inspired by the depth of talent and creativity here in the Tauranga Moana area, wishing to better improve resources to aid in professional development among the arts and cultural community.
Along with his Advisory role, John curates our Creative Tauranga Community Gallery which hosts and showcases many community based organisations and launches exhibitions for some of our local artisans in all mediums and genres.
John see’s the need for building strong relationships within the greater arts and culture base, for both individuals and groups, in our local Tauranga Moana and connecting them to national and international platforms.