Kaihautū | Chair

Agnes Naera, Global Women Chief Executive, leans strongly into amplifying the importance of diversity and inclusion and advancing the aspirations of Māori and Pacific people. She is purposeful in her mentorship of emerging female leaders particularly early career academics and professionals. Agnes is a trustee for a number of charities with a special interest in unleashing the potential of young people to enable them to ‘be the change they want to see’ in Aotearoa NZ. She brings a wealth of experience from her professional, community roles while drawing from her lived reality of her hapu and iwi Ngāpuhi experience. In the words of Sir James Henare ‘maha rawa wa tatou mahinga te kore mai tonu, tawhiti rawa to tatou haerenga te kore haere tonu’ (we have done too much not to do more, we have come too far to not go further).

Kaiurungi | Deputy Chair

Tara is Director Government and International Relations and CEO Middle East at Greenstone TV. With a background in the public and NFP sectors, she is a strategy, partnerships, business development and stakeholder relations leader with a focus on social change. She is an Executive Committee member of NZ Middle East Business Council and a Be.Lab Fab 50 member. Governance roles have included Leadership NZ, Massive Company, Rising Voices Youth Poetry Movement. She is actively involved in initiatives to support the arts and creative sector.

Trustee

Elise Sterback is a PhD candidate researching arts policy at the University of Auckland. She is the former Executive Director of Basement Theatre and has a background in marketing and community development, as well as producing theatre, festivals and artistic happenings through her company, Vibracorp. As a strategist and arts advocate, Elise has sat on the board of Creative Coalition, and participated in arts policy steering groups at local and national levels.

Trustee

Anne Blackburn has a background in journalism, public service, banking, governance and strategic advice. In the mid 1990's she returned to New Zealand after fifteen years working in international investment banks in New York and London. Concurrently with senior positions in a major New Zealand bank she took up board roles, becoming a full time director fifteen years ago. Her current work is concentrated in the financial and capital markets. Anne is also an experienced Director/Trustee in the not for profit sector across health, education and the arts. Her academic background is in Chinese – testament to the reinvention of life and career.

Trustee

With a career spanning more than 30 years, Carol Hirschfeld has worked as a journalist, director, presenter and producer. She is best known for co-presenting TV3's nightly news bulletin with John Campbell from 1998 to 2005, later producing Campbell Live for five years. In 2009, Carol joined Māori TV as head of programming and then became head of content at RNZ five years later, re-launching Checkpoint as the organisation's first foray into multimedia programming. Carol moved to stuff.co.nz as head of video/audio in 2018, where she helped commission a broad range of online documentary projects. In March 2022, she became executive producer of Mediaworks latest morning current affairs radio show. Carol is currently working for TVNZ as acting EP for current affairs programme Sunday and will produce the network's 2023 election coverage.

Trustee

Petrina has extensive experience in arts and culture management, governance, and creative roles. This includes 20 years as Member Services Manager for the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA), and production of the Annual Pacific Music Awards since the awards were founded in 2005. As a trustee of the Pacific Music Awards Trust, Petrina produces the Tautua Programme, which supports Pacific artists with artist development services, industry workshops and live showcases. In 2018 Petrina was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Pacific music. Petrina now works independently as a producer, booking agent, and event and project manager.

Te Kaihiringa | CE

Alison took the role of chief executive of Te Taumata Toi-a-Iwi in 2019. Since then, she has worked with its trustees to create and implement a new strategic direction for the trust focused on strengthening of the ecosystem that makes Tāmaki Makaurau a city alive with creativity. Symbolic of this change has been a rebranding of the trust to better reflect its connections to te ao Māori and home in one of the world’s most culturally diverse cities – and largest Polynesian city. Alison’s previous roles include chief executive of the Centre for Social Impact, GM of the Ministry of Youth Development, and chief executive of the Mental Health Foundation. She is Chair of Ember Innovations, and has been a trustee of Kia Puawai, Philanthropy New Zealand and the Vodafone New Zealand Foundation.

Executive Assistant & Creative Relationships

Narelle brings an extensive background in administration to her role at Te Taumata Toi-a-Iwi. Narelle is the first point of contact for many of our initiatives, and the person who just makes things happen for our team and our creative connections network. She also brings a passion for creative arts, and her own experience as an actor, improviser and writer

Creative Catalyst

Jane leads our advocacy initiatives, facilitates sector engagement, helps us build collaborative partnerships, and manages the design and development of strategic initiatives. A theatre director, creator, and arts policy and strategy maker, Jane has a Master of Theatre Arts in Directing from Victoria University and Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School. In 2019 she graduated with a Masters in Arts Politics from New York University: Tisch School of the Arts on a Fulbright scholarship. Jane previously worked with Wellington City Council on funding and creative strategy, and as Public Programmer at Toi Pōneke Arts Centre.

Eynon hails from Te Whānau Ā Apanui, Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Rongomai and Whakatōhea on his father’s side and Wales on his mother’s side. He has been part of the Auckland and national arts sector for over 30 years in various roles and is the Pou tikanga for Auckland Arts Festival. Eynon is currently chair of Hoani Waititi Marae, and is the past chair of Te Whānau o Waipareira Trust. He runs a whānau consultancy business focused on building partnership with business / organisations and Māori.

Sandi provides guidance to our board and team as our inaugural Ihorei, a title that reflects her mana within Te Taumata Toi-a-Iwi, and the wider arts sector and recognises the wisdom she brings from a lifetime of contribution to our region and to Aotearoa. Her contributions have included supporting arts and culture entrepreneurs, working in governance roles in local government and the Arts Board of Creative New Zealand / Toi Aotearoa, and being a founding trustee of Te Taumata Toi-a-Iwi as the regional arts trust for Tāmaki Makaurau, and of the Big Idea / Te Aria Nui Charitable Trust.

As Ihorei for Te Taumata Toi-a-Iwi, Sandi takes a leadership role in the promotion of our kaupapa. She helps us enhance development and opportunities for all within the sector, and is available as a sounding board and source of strategic counsel for our board and Chief Executive.

Jennifer is a researcher, editor and curator. She is the founder and editor-in-chief of Rat World magazine. Jennifer is passionate about community arts practices, alternative forms of storytelling, and curating more accessible spaces for people to experience arts and writing. She has previously worked as the guest curator for the New Zealand Young Writers Festival and the programme manager for the Auckland Writers Festival.

Kat is an independent consultant who has worked in the not-for-profit sectors in New Zealand and the UK for over 15 years since completing a BA(Hons) in Fine Art at Loughborough University. Her areas of work include strategy development, facilitation and co-design, research and evaluation. Much of Kat’s work is focused on the philanthropic sector, where she supports public and private trusts and foundations to invest effectively in social impact. She is also highly engaged with NGOs in the youth and refugee sectors. Kat is an Associate of the Centre for Social Impact and a trustee of The Funding Network

Michael is an experienced strategist, coach, economic development and creative economy professional. He worked in the film and television sector for over thirty years in production and post-production, focusing on animation and visual effects, including owning animation and VFX company Pencil Shavings. Recent roles include creative industries manager at Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, Auckland's cultural and economic development agency, and manager of Screen Auckland.

Michael has organised film festivals, and curated moving image-related exhibitions and screening programmes. His governance experience includes chairing Regional Film Offices New Zealand and board member of the international organisation AFCNet (Asian Film Commissions Network).

Governance Capability

Kylie leads for us this co-investment with Manatū Taonga to develop a collective impact model to build creative sector capability across Tāmaki Makaurau. An arts and events consultant, Kylie is passionate about collaborative practice and the value of the creative sector within Aotearoa. She is a skilled and experienced creative entrepreneur, project leader and strategic advisor. An alumni of ART Venture 2010, Kylie is Chair of the New Zealand Comedy Trust, a board member for The Actors Program and lectures in Arts and Production Management at the University of Auckland.

Chantelle is of Te Rarawa, Te Aupouri, Ngāti Raukawa, English and German whakapapa. Raised in Manurewa, Chantelle was influenced by the work of her whānau who were involved in key Māori community initiatives in South Auckland including Manurewa Marae, Toi o Manukau Arts Trust, and Taonga Teen Parent unit. She has held numerous arts and community development roles in local government and the not-for-profit sectors. She has produced and managed large scale community events, an art centre, art and event sponsorship portfolios and advised on local and regional art and cultural strategies. Chantelle has previously held governance roles with Massive Theatre and Te Kaha o Te Rangatahi.

Anahera Gildea (Ngāti Tukorehe) is a poet, short story writer, essayist and ‘artivist’. Her work has appeared in numerous journals and anthologies including Cordite, The Spinoff, Newsroom, Sport, Landfall, Takahe, and JAAM. Her first book Poroporoaki to the Lord My God: Weaving the Via Dolorosa was published by Seraph Press (2016) and her collection, Sedition was published by Taraheke (2022). She is the co-editor of Te Whē, a bilingual literary journal, is the co-chair of Te Hā o Ngā pou Kaituhi Māori, and sits on the board of ReadNZ│Te Pou Muramura. She has a Masters of Creative Writing from the International Institute of Modern Letters, as well as Graduate Diplomas in Psychology and Teaching, and is currently completing doctoral research at Te Herenga Waka │Victoria University of Wellington, developing a critical literary theory based on Māori intellectual traditions. She lives in Te Whanganui-a-Tara with her partner and son

Esther is working with Te-Taumata Toi-A-Iwi on the leadership programme being developed through our Capability+ project. She has over 15-years’ experience in the screen sector and has been instrumental in supporting our most exciting filmmakers. Executive Director of Script to Screen for eight years, she led the organisation through significant growth, creating and directing Big Screen Symposium and a number of high impact filmmaker development programmes including Story Camp Aotearoa, which she still leads. Since 2019 she has led projects for NZ On Air, NZ Film Commission, and the NZ Comedy Trust.

Adrian Field is an independent consultant and researcher. Through his company, Dovetail, Adrian supports positive social change in communities (www.dovetailnz.com). Adrian’s work helps people and organisations see the impact they’re having and plan for the future. Adrian is an honorary academic at the School of Population Health (University of Auckland), a board member of ANZEA (Aotearoa New Zealand Evaluation Association), and he is an associate of the Kinnect Group and the Centre for Social Impact.

Chloe has over fifteen years’ experience of working in the philanthropic sector. Her career in the sector started at Britain’s National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA), where she awarded funding to innovative and pioneering learning projects. In New Zealand, Chloe worked for the country’s largest community trust, Foundation North, where she was the Strategy & Innovation Manager where she was closely involved in the development of innovative and targeted funding such as the Foundation’s Catalysts for Change Programme, Māori and Pacific Education Initiative (MPEI), GIFT (Gulf Innovation Fund Together), South Auckland Community Innovation fund and participatory grant making approaches.

Kerryanne is an independent communications, marketing and strategy consultant, with experience working in New Zealand and the UK. She was previously the General Manager/Head of Members at New Zealand’s independent online magazine The Spinoff. Kerryanne has also held senior marketing and public relations roles at Spark, MTV and Expedia. She’s passionate about helping organisations articulate their value, tell meaningful stories and increase their impact

Rosabel Tan is a writer, strategist, and producer. She is the Director of Satellites — producing events, exhibitions, and encounters exploring the contemporary experience of the Asian diaspora in Aotearoa — and founding editor of arts-and-culture publication The Pantograph Punch.  Elsewhere, Rosabel sits on the board of Silo Theatre and is a member of Auckland Council's Public Art Advisory Panel.

Rachael Trotman is a human ecologist, social researcher and evaluator with over 20 years experience. Her passion is to support change makers of all kinds to make a positive difference in the world. Rachael is a founding member of ANZEA, Aotearoa’s ‘home’ for evaluation, co-architect of the What Works, and an Associate with the Centre for Social Impact. She has her own company called WEAVE, see https://weavingchange.nz

Borni Te Rongopai Tukiwaho (Tūhoe, Te Arawa, Tuwharetoa) - is an experienced producer, director, singer and actor. He is educated in the arts and health sectors and has leadership roles in both industries with a national and international, published works to his credit. Borni works actively to help national organisations and artists build tools for self-sustainability resilience. Te Taumata Toi-a-Iwi is now collaborating with Borni on his Te Whakawhirinaki Kete project, an initiative to produce a national hauora and wellness resource to nourish the wellbeing of the creative community in Aotearoa.

Toluma‘anave Barbara Makuati-Afitu, of Samoan heritage, and Kolokesa Uafā Māhina-Tuai, of Tongan heritage, are the founders of Aotearoa New Zealand based Lagi-Maama Academy and Consultancy. Toluma‘anave has a background in stakeholder management and community engagement and Kolokesa in Art History, Social Anthropology and Museums and Heritage Studies. They work within and across a range of different sectors including GLAM (Galleries, Libraries, Archives, Museums), cultural, funding, philanthropy and corporate spaces with communities at the heart; and a strong Samoan and Tongan Indigenous foundation informing their approach of navigating, activating, connecting, championing, negotiating and challenging the status quo

The Centre for Social Impact helps grant-makers and funders invest for impact, and enables their community partners to turn that investment into inspiring and sustainable social change. They draw on a range of expertise from their team, and networks of specialist associates and partner organisations, to respond to the needs of clients to help them achieve their goals. Insights and learnings are captured by the Centre and its clients so that successful social change initiatives can be replicated and integrated into mainstream policy and practice. www.centreforsocialimpact.org.nz

The national programme for Community Governance engages across New Zealand working with community governance leaders, community governance board members and organisations to lift the capability and capacity of the sector. Foundation North and Centre for Social Impact provide the backbone support for this mahi along with contributions from 11 Community Trusts of NZ

Te Ora Auaha, Creative Wellbeing Alliance Aotearoa, is a national network and resource for people interested in the contribution of the arts to health and wellbeing. Te Ora Auaha aims to connect people working across this diverse and innovative field to grow a thriving community of practice. Te Taumata Toi-a-Iwi works with Te Ora Auaha to explore how they can work more sustainably, by activating and supporting regional and sector-specific partnerships and networks. We provide backbone support for the network across administration and communications. Find out more about Te Ora Auaha at www.creativewellbeingnz.org