SKIWA Mentor · 2026 Cohort
Terry Austen
Group General Manager - Hospitality · TenGolf Group
From hotel porter to General Manager — 30 years of leading strong teams.
My story
After travelling when I finished school, I got a casual job in a hotel in Christchurch, New Zealand. From there I applied myself and put my hand up for roles, training and opportunities.
That eventually led to over 30 years in hotels, working from a porter role through to General Manager — with the rewards of working with great people, leading strong teams in exciting locations, and working through some complex challenges.
How I help
I give people a seat at the table so they can listen and contribute. It accelerates confidence in the workplace and strengthens their understanding of where the business is heading and how problems get solved.
Why I mentor
I'm as interested and inspired by a mentee's journey to date as I am in supporting the goals they're working towards.
