Trustees
Trustees
Our trustees have backgrounds in local government, social services, publishing, Maori affairs, business and tourism and are all Waikato proud.
MICHAEL COX: CHAIRMAN
MICHAEL COX OBE ACA Retired
Michael has been a professional fundraising consultant for over ten years having successfully fundraised in excess of $10 million dollars over three elections as Honorary Treasurer and Fundraiser for the New Zealand National Party. He was also a Trustee of the Waikato University Foundation and part of an active team of fundraisers that raised over $13 million, over 18 months, towards building the Performing Arts Centre on campus.
Michael’s time as a former Member of Parliament representing the Manawatu electorate and most recently as a Councillor of the Waipa District Council has given him a thorough understanding of the local community. He has also been a Rotarian for over a decade and was a former President and is the current Treasurer for the Te Awamutu Rotary Club.
Michael was awarded the Queens Commemoration Medal in 1990 and in 1995 became a member of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for Public Service and work as Party Treasurer. Michael was also a member of the Casino Control Authority which issued SKYCITY Hamilton their Casino License in 2003.
GARY DAWSON: TRUSTEE
GARY DAWSON has a strong involvement in Waikato rugby and is currently the CEO for the Chiefs.
Recently Gary has also been appointed the CEO of the A1GP event in Taupo. This role involves overseeing the management and marketing of the Kiwi round of the World Cup of Motorsport.
Throughout Gary’s extensive career in sports administration, he has been involved in many local and wider community sports groups.
SHANE NGATAI: TRUSTEE
SHANE NGATAI
Shane is an experienced school principal with fifteen years experience across all deciles, who currently leads Rhode Street School in Dinsdale, Hamilton. With an entrepreneurial and energetic approach, Shane demonstrates a real commitment to the community. Shane has a real passion for nutrition and has created Sustainable Kids, an inspiring model of healthy and sustainable living which has been embraced by the Dinsdale community.
Shane is of Maori and Scottish descent, a talented landscape artist, sculptor, printer and proud father of six children.
Currently, Shane is a Board Member of the Ministry of Education of New Zealand where he provides independent advice on best practice in pedagogical theory and practice in ICT in schools on the Ultra-Fast Broadband Governance Group. Shane also provides advice to Iwi on educational strategies as an Educational Advisor with Ngai Te Rangi Educational Strategy Runanga.
BERNADETTE KIRKHAM: TRUSTEE
Bernadette Kirkham, Marketing Manager of the Waikato Times and Marketing Manager of Fairfax Newspapers in Education has had over 25 years experience in the media.
She has a passion for the industry and is responsible for the Waikato Times brand development, sponsorships, promotions and research.
She leads a multi award winning marketing team which has collected numerous international marketing awards.
Bernadette is a current board member of the Hamilton Gardens Arts Festival, and a past trust member of the Hamilton Christmas Parade. Bernadette was also for many years a committee member for the Westpac Trust Business Awards. She has also served on the committee for the Hospice campaign which saw over $7.5 million dollars raised to build a Hospice facility for the Waikato region.
Bernadette has recently created two new successful events for the Waikato; the Waikato Times Food, Wine and Jazz Festival and The Waikato Times 'tempo lawn' event at the Waikato Times Gold Cup day.
In her Fairfax Newspapers in Education (NIE) role, she leads a team who produce weekly tabloid educational resources which are curriculum-based and are sold to schools as teaching aids.
Bernie is also an artist, exhibiting regularly and a qualified piano teacher.
ROGER FITZGERALD: TRUSTEE
Roger is an experienced Trust administrator having worked with Guardian Trust for 19 years administering Estates and Trusts. Roger is currently the Branch Manager at Forsyth Barr in Hamilton and has been with this company as an Investment Advisor for almost 16 years.
Roger is active in the community and is a Trustee of the Hamilton Rotary Club Charitable Trust, The Hamilton Hydrotherapy Pool Trust, The RotoArt Charitable Trust, Waikato Community Hospice Trust and the B & C Hewett Charitable Trust.
An active Rotarian, Roger has been a member of the Hamilton Rotary Club for 19 years and has served most of this time on the Board of Directors.
KAY GREGORY: TRUSTEE
Kay Gregory is a Journalist with an extensive background in Broadcasting. She has worked as a Reporter/Presenter for Radio New Zealand, Coast to Coast Television and TVNZ. She is a former Presenter of TV One's ‘Breakfast' programme.
Kay spent three years as a Hamilton City Councillor, where she chaired the Events Sponsorship Committee, before leaving to dedicate her time to conducting Marriage and Funeral ceremonies. She also works part-time as a News Producer for TVNZ and is a busy Public Speaker and M.C for a variety of functions and events.
Kay served a term as Ambassador for Dress for Success, is a volunteer for Rowing New Zealand, and is on the board of the New Zealand Neurological Foundation. She is also a member of International Training in Communication - an organization that named her Speaker of the Year in 2001.
ANTHONY RIRINUI: TRUSTEE
Anthony Ririnui is the National Manager Maori Relationships, currently charged with implementing ASB's organisational and strategic relationship management strategy for key Maori relationships. During Anthony's 17 years with ASB Bank, he has developed skills in management, strategic business development, relationship management, within the banking and financial sector frameworks.
Anthony is the Chairman of Te Humeka - Waikato Maori Business network, member of Nga Kaitatau Maori o Aotearoa, National Maori Accountants Network and a Trustee of Community Waikato.
Anthony's other passions outside of the bank include his whanau, playing sport and finding any opportunity to contribute to the economic and social development of Maori communities.