As the old saying goes –‘Aim for the moon because if you miss, you may hit a star'.

'What I want to accomplish is for more people in the Bay, across New Zealand, and eventually around the world, to come to Tauranga to enjoy the festival,” says newly-appointed Bay of Plenty Garden and Art Festival director Marc Anderson.

On Tuesday the NZ Garden & ArtFest Charitable Trust, which runs the Tauranga festival, announced Marc would be taking over from outgoing director John Beech, who's held the position since 2011.

'I'm absolutely excited and delighted to be the festival's new director and very interested in carrying on the good work of the former director and the trust, and making this festival as great as it can be.

'John, with the help of the trustees and everyone who helps to run the festival, has developed it into what it is now. I've been involved in a lot of festivals and events all over the world and I think the potential of what this festival can do is amazing.”

Marc also feels fortunate former director John Beech has 'taken me under his wing” during the transition.

'He knows the lay of the land and is keen to share his experience with me as well, which is great. I'm looking forward to spending more time with him.”

Raised in Whakatane, Marc and his family – wife Katrina and their three children – have returned to New Zealand after living abroad for the last seven years in Australia, and more recently, Ireland.

'While all my kids are Kiwis – one was born in New Zealand, one was born in Ireland and one was born in Australia – we've been away for seven years, so the New Zealand lifestyle is quite new to them. The last seven weeks has been great for them to get a feel of what we're all used to.”

He has extensive experience as an event and project director, a concert and music producer, a tour manager and creative director, and has produced and directed a variety of sporting, musical, cultural, historical and commemorative events.

Marc believes part of the beauty of the festival is the fact the garden show is staged around, which gives festivalgoers an opportunity to explore not only Tauranga but the Western Bay of Plenty too.

'That is fantastic for the festival, fantastic for the gardeners and fantastic for the region as well.

'Tauranga has a number of great events, but I think the potential of what the Garden and Arts festival can do is huge. So to promote the area through things like this festival is also fantastic and I'm excited about putting my five cents worth in and seeing what happens.”

Trust chair Nikki Burley says while it was with sadness they accepted John's resignation, they are also fortunate to have been able to appoint a very experienced successor.

'Marc has an excellent connection with artists and with the creative community. He will rapidly engage and form an easy rapport with the festival's gardeners, volunteers and community,” says Nikki.

Nikki believes as a board they've relied heavily on John, who was director of the 2012, 2014 and 2016 festivals. John was also a trustee on the board prior to taking on the role as director.

She says his creative direction for the festival aligns firmly with the strategic path set by the board, and while the Garden Trail remains the cornerstone of the festival, the Festival Hub, plus a number of community events, art and entertainment were all developed under John's stewardship.

'The festival has been strengthened and the appeal has broadened to include a wide demographic and regional and national attraction.

'John leaves the festival at an exciting phase in its development and Marc is well placed to continue with this direction and growth.”

For more information about the Bay of Plenty Garden and Art Festival, visit: www.gardenandartfest.co.nz