Tim Farmer

Background

About Tim Farmer

I’ve been immersed in events since the age of 15, starting with surf competitions and building a career that spans hospitality, policing, and destination event leadership. From age 18 to 29, I worked as an executive chef in high-end kitchens across Australia, including being awarded two chef hats awards at Bistro Moore. That experience instilled in me a deep appreciation for excellence, pressure, and delivering exceptional experiences. After returning to New Zealand, I spent seven years with the New Zealand Police in frontline, Acting Sergeant and field training roles across Auckland and Rotorua. This time shaped my leadership style and gave me a strong grounding in risk management, community engagement, and operating under pressure. In 2013, I took ownership of Nduro Events, where I led the growth of the Whaka100 MTB Marathon, Volcanic Epic, and a wider portfolio of running and mountain biking events across Rotorua and Hanmer Springs. These events have had a measurable impact on regional visitation and community pride and have been recognised nationally through awards. Now, as Events and Entertainment Portfolio Manager at RotoruaNZ, I’m responsible for supporting a programme of major events that activate our spaces and venues, reflect our cultural identity, and deliver strong economic and social outcomes for Rotorua. I work in partnership with iwi, industry, and community to ensure our city remains one of Aotearoa’s leading event destinations.