The Board is the governing body of the BayTrust and currently has 12 members. They are appointed by the Minister of Finance for four-year terms.
The Board has among its members a balanced representation from throughout the Bay of Plenty and community, investment, legal and financial expertise to enable the Trust to apply broad-based skills and wisdom to it’s governance standards.
The Board is responsible for the policy direction of the BayTrust. This includes strategic planning, budgets and Investments, Grants and other Policies. It delegates the day-to-day management of the Trust to the Chief Executive.
The Board operates under a Charter which includes a Code of Conduct in which all Trustees commit to acting ethically and professionally and to avoid conflicts of interest with respect to their fiduciary responsibilities.
The Board has Three standing committees: Audit & Risk, Investments and HR
Chair
What motivated you to be involved with BayTrust?
The Bay of Plenty, especially the Eastern Bay, has been my home for my entire life. Though the Bay of Plenty has gone through some hard times, I sense the vibrancy returning to our communities with much more opportunity for the communities to grow and I wish to be a part of that.
What are you most passionate about in supporting the community?
I am very passionate about jobs and also supporting grass-roots community organisations that are the backbone of many of our communities.
What are your three favourite things about the local community where you live?
More than anything - it is about the people, the people, the people.
What are you excited about for the future in the Bay of Plenty?
There are so many different ideas and kaupapa to help in the betterment of the Bay of Plenty - it excites me each and every day to help bring those to fruition.
What motivated you to be involved with BayTrust?
As a family lawyer, I am aware of the issues that face our community. I saw becoming a Trustee as a way to help those who are attempting to make improvements for our community and environment.
What are you most passionate about in supporting the community?
I am passionate about finding the best solutions for children and those most vulnerable. Bay Trust was another way that I could serve my community.
What are your three favourite things about the local community where you live?
There is a maori proverb that perfectly articulates what I love most about my community;
He aha te mea nui o te ao?
He tangata, he tangata, he tangata
What is the most important thing in the world?
It is the people, it is the people, it is the people
What are you excited about for the future in the Bay of Plenty?
The BayTrust is innovative with its granting and I am excited to be part of that.
What motivated you to be involved with BayTrust?
I moved to Rotorua from London in 2012 and haven’t looked back. We love the region that is now home, and being a trustee is a great way for me to be able to give back.
What are you most passionate about in supporting the community?
Being able to support smaller organisations, who do so much good, but can often operate under the radar.
What are your three favourite things about the local community where you live?
We live near the redwoods in Rotorua, and I love walking with our dogs and the family there. We also enjoy the beautiful lakes around us and spend a lot of time there in the Summers. The weather is a huge improvement from the UK, so I really enjoy that too!
What are you excited about for the future of the Bay of Plenty?
More and more people are moving away from the bigger cities to regions that support better lifestyles. I think we will see growth as more people recognise what a wonderful place this is to live.
What motivated you to be involved with BayTrust?
I’ve worked with many communities throughout the Bay of Plenty, I enjoy helping our local communities reach their own goals and aspirations, and see the important work BayTrust undertakes as a great opportunity to continue supporting our local communities.
What are you most passionate about in supporting the community?
My focus is on initiatives that promote self-resilience and will foster impactful collaboration as we are all in this together.
What are your three favourite things about the local community where you live?
The natural environment in Lake Okareka, including the lake, walking paths, mountain bike trails, birdlife, and nature. Everything is close, proximity to great beaches and the remoteness and peacefulness you can find in the Bay.
What are you excited about for the future of the Bay of Plenty?
I'm excited about greater community collaboration and where technology innovation can add value for our communities, especially for our more rural communities.