Executive Director

em@nikaufoundation.nz

Since arriving in New Zealand in early 2015, Em is proud to call Wellington home. Having worked across a range of sectors in the UK and NZ, Em has proven leadership skills in fundraising, strategic partnerships, marketing, and communications. Passionate about making a difference, Em is an Advisory Board member for a non-profit supporting women in the Hutt Valley.

Em lives in Johnsonville with her family and is a mum to a curious, creative, and energetic five-year-old. She loves nothing more than enjoying everything our amazing region has to offer at the weekend.

Chief Financial Officer

denisa@nikaufoundation.nz

Denisa is a Chartered Accountant with many years of experience, having started her career in public practice accounting firms in 2007, followed by years in the corporate world. She now enjoys sharing her expertise and knowledge in the for-Purpose sector, helping drive impact and performance. Denisa is a strategic thinker passionate about getting things done.

Denisa is a proud mum of two and enjoys playing an active role in their education. When she’s not number crunching, Denisa sparks her creativity with interior design and fashion.

Funding and Relationships Manager

lindy@nikaufoundation.nz

After working locally and abroad, Lindy originally came on as Nikau Foundation’s Operations Manager before taking a break to set up and run a Wellington based gluten free baking company. With a passion for relationship-building, community and making a difference, Lindy now works as Nikau’s Funding and Relationships Manager.

Lindy is a TRX, Pilates and boxing enthusiast who loves Wellington and lives with her whānau in the eastern suburbs.

Marketing and Communications Manager

maddie@nikaufoundation.nz

A seasoned marketing and communications professional with many years working in agencies and client-side, Maddie has recently returned to her hometown of Wellington, following stints in Christchurch and Western Australia.

Outside of work, Maddie can be found cooking, gallery hopping or walking one of Wellington’s great trails.

Accountant

robyn@nikaufoundation.nz

With many years of experience in accounts administration, Robyn is excited to now be working in the non-profit sector. Over the years Robyn has volunteered her time to help various local community groups involving her children and lately has been assisting with food rescue and delivery.

Robyn lives in Eastbourne and is currently getting used to life with just her husband, as the last of their children have recently left home. She enjoys making the most of the local beach and bush with her dog Jack.

Executive Administrator

hilaire@nikaufoundation.nz

Hilaire has extensive experience in administration and events management from across the public sector and creative organisations such as New Zealand on Air, Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School, New Zealand Fringe Festival and the New Zealand International Comedy Festival. Hilaire’s happy place is where creativity and the public meet so can often be found at theatre and comedy performances, music gigs, art galleries or one of the many cultural events happening in Wellington city.

Dame Fran has deep governance experience across the public and private sectors. In politics, she has been a Cabinet Minister, Mayor of Wellington and Chair of the Greater Wellington Regional Council. In business, she has been on or chaired a number of boards and currently chairs the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, the Remuneration Authority, the Asia New Zealand Foundation and the Royal NZ Plunket (Whanau Awhina Plunket). Dame Fran was CEO of the NZ Trade Development Board for six years and has acted in other capacities including Chief Crown negotiator for Treaty of Waitangi Claims, NZ representative on the APEC Business Advisory Council and various leadership roles in the arts and philanthropy. She is a Chartered Member of the NZ Institute of Directors.

Adrian has an extensive career in economics and public sector finance. His career history includes Directorships and International Governance, previously serving as Chair of the International Forum of Sovereign Wealth Funds, and Chair of the Pacific Pension and Investment Institute. Adrian is New Zealand born and bred, and primarily of Cook Island and Irish descent. He is married to Sue, a novelist, and they have 3 adult children.

Horiana Irwin-Easthope (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungunu and Rakaipaaka) is a Director of Whāia Legal, a kaupapa Māori law firm that works predominantly for Māori clients across different areas of law. In her legal mahi, Horiana pushes the status quo to affect change within, and outside of, the legal system to recognise the unique place of whānau, hapū and iwi within Aotearoa. Horiana currently sits on the Boards of the Wellington Community Trust and the New Zealand Climate Action Network. She has previously sat on the boards of the Te Awe Māori Business Network, Motu (Economic and Public Policy Research) and Te Hunga Roia Māori o Aotearoa – the National Māori Law Society. Horiana, her husband Scott and son Rōpata live in Ōtaki.

Peter has over 30 years’ experience in New Zealand investment markets. He was formerly Head of NZ Multi-Asset Group at AMP Capital, General Manager of AXA Global Investors and Head of NZ Investment Consulting at Mercer. He has extensive investment and asset consulting experience including working with a large number of charities. He has facilitated investment education sessions for Philanthropy NZ and WorkplaceSavings NZ and has presented at many investment forums and conferences. He lives on the Kāpiti Coast with his wife Gina and son James. Peter and James share a passion for native flora and fauna.

Rachel is a communications and strategy specialist. For over fifteen years, through her company Outlook Media, she’s worked with not-for-profit organisations, business and government agencies. Her clients’ fields are as diverse as community-led development and Search and Rescue. Her skills and experience cover consultation, insight and support of wide-ranging goals, multi sector forums and projects, including search and rescue prevention, philanthropy, not for profit capability and communication tactics. Rachel is married to Chris; they have two teenage boys and live a great life in Wellington’s inner city.

With extensive experience in governance and advisory in both the public and private sectors, Warren is a past President of the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants, former Country Director of Audit and past President of the International Federation of Accountants.

Wendy is an independent board director and consultant. She is a director of Plant and Food Research and GNS Science, a board member of the New Zealand Auditing and Assurance Standards Board, an independent member of the Treasury’s Audit Committee for the Government Financial Statements, and chairs the risk and assurance committees of Stats NZ and the Parliamentary Counsel Office. She is a former partner at EY, deputy chief executive at the Ministry of Social Development and assistant Auditor-General.