Auckland City Mission - Te Tāpui Atawhai leadership
Helen Robinson | Manutaki / CEO
On April 8 2021, the Mission formally welcomed the 10th Auckland City Missioner, Helen Robinson.
Helen has a wealth of experience in social services and a deep commitment to a more equitable Aotearoa. She also has a deep understanding of the social issues facing Aotearoa and a commitment to justice and equity in our country.
Senior Leadership Team
Joanne Reidy
Ngāti Tamaterā, Ngāti Hako, Ngāti Raukawa ki Te Tonga
Director Māori Development Services | Tumuaki Māori - Manutea
Brendan Short
Director of Housing and Health Services | Tumuaki Ratonga Hauora
Simon Harger-Forde
Establishment Director Systems Change and Advocacy
Andre Matthews
Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa
General Manager Māori Operations | Tumuaki Tiake Take Māori
Carolyn Pye
General Manager People | Tumuaki Hāpai
Denice Bennett
Chief Finance Officer | Tumuaki Take Tahua Pūtea
Ilana James
General Manager Housing Support | Tumuaki Tautoko a-Whare
Joe Rich
General Manager Marketing, Communications and Fundraising
Katherine Dace
General Manager Corporate Services
Tara Moala
Ngaati Maahanga Hourua Waikato-Tainui, Ngāti Paoa
General Manager Food Security | Tumuaki Tuari Kai
Venus Rangi
Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Te Wairoa
General Manager Auckland City Mission Housing Ltd | Tumuaki Tautoko a-Whare
Senior Māori Caucus
Anoushka Berkley
Ngāti Pikiao
Pou Whirinaki
Andre Matthews
Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa
General Manager Māori Operations | Tumuaki Tiake Take Māori
Kahurangi Mara
Ngāti Tūwharetoa | Nofoali’i | Sataoa | Lelepa | Manase
Project Manager Māori | Kaihautū Matua Kaupapa Whānui Māori
Kaylene Edwards
Ngāti Kahungunu
Wairua Practitioner
Leon Witehira
Lotoso’a Saleimoa, Ngāpuhi
(Te Uri Taniwha, Ngāti Hineira,
Te Uri o Hua, Ngaitawake ki Waoku,
Ngāti Hine)
Pou Ārahi
Puāwai Coward-Ramsay
Waikato‑Tainui
Manager Operations ACMHL | Kaihautū Matua Whakahaere Whare
Te Miha Ua
Ngāti Te Kanawa, Ngāti Uenukukōpako,
Ngāti Rangiteaorere, Ngāti Whakaue,
Ngāti Rangiwewehi, Ngāti Rakaiwhakairi,
Te Rūnanga o Moeraki, Te Rūnaka o
Awarua
Project Manager Māori | Kaihautū Matua Kaupapa Whānui Māori
Terrin Brown
Ngati Rangi, Ngati Rakaipaaka
Housing Team Leader
Tui Gallagher
Te Aūpouri
Te Whare Hīnatore Team Lead | Kaiwhatu
Board
Joanna Pidgeon, Chair
LLB (Hons)
Joanna is a lawyer, one of the founding partners of Pidgeon Judd, a boutique property and commercial law firm and a past President of the Auckland District Law Society (ADLS). She has a particular interest in property matters, sitting on the New Zealand Law Society Land Titles Committee, Chair of the ADLS Documents and Precedents Committee and sits on the ADLS Property Law Committee.
Gavin Rennie
Gavin Rennie is a Social Worker who for 30 years taught Social Work at Unitec. He was Chair of the New Zealand Schools of Social Work and for a number of years was a Board member of the International Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW). Prior to teaching he was the Director of Friendship House in Manukau City and also worked as a Community Development Manager for Waitemata City Council.
He has an undergraduate degree in Sociology from the University of Auckland and Post Graduate degrees in Social Work from Massey University and in Theology from the Maryknoll School of Theology in Ossining, USA. He has long-standing commitment to social justice and continuing interest in church social services and in housing issues.
Evan Davies
Evan is Chief Executive Officer of Todd Capital, a portfolio of businesses and investments including: Todd Property, Integria Healthcare, Todd Minerals and PartsTrader. Prior to joining Todd, Evan was Managing Director of SkyCity Entertainment Group, growing the company from a single site to having business operations throughout New Zealand, South Australia and the Northern Territory. Evan was named the Deloitte/Management Magazine Chief Executive of the Year in 2001.
Evan holds a Bachelor of Town Planning from the University of Auckland, a Master of Science in Tourism Management from the University of Surrey and a Master of Philosophy in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Birmingham. Evan has business interests in farming and viticulture and is involved in a range of charitable organisations.
Graeme Birkhead
Graeme has more than 30 years’ experience in the building sector. He is a Director of Graeme Birkhead Consulting and has considerable governance experience. He is National President of the New Zealand Institute of Building, a board member of the Property Council of New Zealand’s Auckland Branch and an advisory board member of the Auckland Council Urban Design panel. During his career Graeme has led major projects including large-scale housing developments, business parks, manufacturing facilities, infrastructure works and public sector facilities.
Paul Gilberd
Paul has significant experience in organisational change management, business development, service delivery and communications as well as in governance. He is the Chief Executive of Community Housing Aotearoa, a nationwide peak body for Community Housing Providers. Prior to this he was the General Manager of the social enterprise, Community Finance, which provides low-cost finance to New Zealand’s Community Housing Providers. He spent 10 years with the Meningitis Foundation as founding Director and Board Member. Paul has been a consultant to, and member of, the Anglican Church of Aotearoa New Zealand and Polynesia and advised various tikanga Māori and pakeha Boards of Anglican entities. He is a previous General Manager – Strategy and Development of the New Zealand Housing Foundation and was the Development Manager for the University of Auckland Business School.
Arend Merrie
Arend is a surgeon and senior health leader with governance experience. He has a particular interest in Māori and Pacific health inequity. Alongside his work in general and colorectal surgery, Arend is a trainer on Auckland DHB workshops related to interpersonal skills and culture and a senior examiner for General Surgery for the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. He was previously the Director of Surgical Services for Auckland DHB and the Chair of the DHB’s Surgical Board. His other previous governance and leadership roles include Board Member of the Gut Cancer Foundation; Member of the Clinical Advisory Group for MercyAscot Hospitals; Chair of the General Surgical Specialty Group for MercyAscot Hospitals; Member of the Executive for the New Zealand Association of General Surgeons; Director of the Auckland Colorectal Centre and Director of Endometriosis Auckland. In addition, Arend is an Honorary Associate Professor at the University of Auckland and a visiting surgeon at Auckland City Mission’s Calder Health Centre.
Erica Whineray Kelly
Erica is a Health Sector Consultant, Breast Cancer Surgeon and Executive Leader based in Auckland. Erica has shifted from clinical practice to sector consulting with an innovation and equity focus following 25 years as a doctor and advocate. Erica has considerable experience leading teams in high pressure environments, and leading innovation. Erica co-founded and was the Managing Director of both Auckland Breast Centre (ABC) and Focus Radiotherapy exiting the former to Private Equity. She has been a consultant with Breast Screen Aotearoa, an expert for the Health and Disability Commissioner, and was the founding Chair of the Advisory Board for InZone Girls. Erica is a Fab 50 leader with Be Lab advocating for accessibility, and a member of New Zealand Global Women. Outside of this, she is a mentor to STEM students, and married with two children.
Darryl Jhinku
As a professional Director, Darryl provides support to entrepreneurial organisations through sound governance, with a focus on New Zealand business. With a strong background as a CFO for some of the largest and fastest growing New Zealand companies, Darryl adds value to the financial oversight of businesses wishing to grow through thorough sound financial management. Darryl brings an entrepreneurial but risk-based approach to the board table, as well as a commitment to working together for the benefit of both staff and the wider stakeholder group. Darryl is a Chartered Accountant, Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors and holds a Masters in Management Studies.