Our People

Mata is of Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Wai and Ngāi Pakeha decent and was born and raised in Invercargill, and after time away, returned to live in Bluff. She was appointed as a Trustee in 2015, and appointed to Chair in 2021.  Mata holds degrees from Waikato University in Social Sciences, and Law. She has held leadership and governance roles in the health, social and education sectors, and currently runs her own business and enjoys serving iwi Māori as well as her wider community in matters that contribute to improving its wellbeing. 

Bill Moran (MNZM) is a former Deputy Secretary at the Treasury and has extensive governance experience, starting 16 years ago as co-founder and chair of Play It Strange through to today where he is Chair of both Sport NZ and High-Performance Sport NZ, Chair of Turn Up the Music Trust, a director of Pioneer Energy and a trustee of Youthtown amongst other roles.

Michael, who lives in Invercargill, was appointed in 2018. A solicitor for Oranga Tamariki - Ministry for Children, Michael is also a Disputes Tribunal Referee. Admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor in 1992, Michael has also practiced in commercial and regulatory law in Auckland and Wellington, as well as holding corporate governance roles.

Stephen (MNZM, MIOD)  is a Business and Strategic Projects Group Manager. He has managed the successful completion of large projects such as Southland’s Regional Energy Strategy, Whole Community Broadband Network as well as major civil and mechanical engineering projects including satellite and space ground stations and terrestrial television.

Stephen has been Chairman of the National Broadband Forum, Chairman of Junior Worlds 2012 Limited and President of Cycling New Zealand Road and Track. He has presented at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) events and at numerous international conferences.

David was appointed as Trustee in 2019 and is also chair of our Investment Committee. He is a Financial Advisor and an Investment Advisor at Craigs Investment Partners. David has an NZX Diploma and holds a Bachelor of Arts from Otago University. He has a commercial background, having worked for over 35 years in the financial services sector, starting out in the Trustee Industry and latterly in the investment sector. David is a member of Invercargill North Rotary Club, as well as past President. He is former Chairman of rural group Livestrands.

Appointed to the Trust in 2020, Louise has recently retired from Presbyterian Support Southland where she was a Cultural Advisor, Team Leader and Social Worker since 2002.  Louise has a long involvement with local iwi in governance roles; current Trustee of Awarua Rununga, Chair of Awarua Whanau Services, Chair of Te Rourou Whakatipuranga EEC, Director of Awarua Tio Company and an Awarua Whakapapa group member.

Appointed to the Trust in 2020, Kirsty is a company director and award-winning journalist, based in Te Anau.  Having spent 15 years as a journalist for The Southland Times, Kirsty went on to become the first female editor of the Wanganui Chronicle in 2006.  Returning to Te Anau in 2008 Kirsty co-founded the Advocate South newspaper, created Southland’s first escape room business, Fiordland Escapes, and developed the Southland App – a digital news and information portal for Southland. A teacher and judge of highland dancing, Kirsty is also active in Scottish cultural circles, including the Te Anau Tartan Festival.

Mel lives in Central Southland and is the financial controller at ILT Stadium Southland.  Mel is also the manager of the Southland Indoor Leisure Centre Charitable Trust, owns a rural contracting business alongside her husband, is the chair of a local rural primary school, and was a director of Invercargill City Forest for four years.  Mel has a strong connection to the rural community and has been involved in a number of community organisations in varying capacities over her career.

Leanne is the Southland area manager for IHC/IDEA services and has held executive clinical leadership/management roles in District Health boards and more recently in the intellectual disability sector. Qualifications include Nursing, Midwifery and a Masters degree in Health Service Management. Leanne is also qualified in Civil Defence Emergency management.  Born and raised in Otago and Southland, Leanne was as a previous member of the Trusts’ Murihiku health scholarship committee.  Leanne’s whanau is a mix of NZ European and Cook Island Maori descent and Leanne serves as a board member on a rural health services provider trust and with local Maori and Pacific organisation. 

Born and raised in Dublin, Ireland. Leon has professional qualifications in accountancy and tax law and worked as an accountant for 20 years. Leon was the Charter President of the Rotary club of Invercargill NRG, founding director of Greenlight Innovations and director of Helping Hands Southland. He also works for IHC New Zealand.

Leon, his wife and three children have lived in Invercargill since 2011 and are heavily invested in the community. Leon is committed to the wellbeing of the community especially as regards those who are disadvantaged.                

Kathryn, a chartered accountant with more than 30 years’ experience in public practice, is currently a self-employed consultant, principally to McIntyre Dick.  Kathryn was a partner/principal in McIntyre Dick and Partners for many years, and prior to that a partner in PricewaterhouseCoopers and Coopers and Lybrand.

A director of SBS Bank since 2006, and deputy chair since 2016, Kathryn chairs the bank’s Audit & Risk Committee.  She is a director of Invercargill Central Ltd, and was previously a director of Stadium Southland Ltd and a councillor of Southern Institute of Technology (SIT), chairing the Audit & Finance Committee and serving a period as deputy chair.

Kathryn is a fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, and a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Directors.

Bringing a range of management experience in the grantmaking and tertiary education sectors, Jackie joined the Trust in early 2018. Jackie’s commitment to fostering relationships and partnerships with other funders and the community ensures the Trust is well positioned and continues to build on its solid foundations established over the past 30 years. Her pragmatic and level-headed approach enables her to empower staff and effectively support the trustees to carry out their mandate.

Email: jackie@communitytrustsouth.nz

With nearly 20 years working alongside the people of the South, Dianne brings an empathic and sound understanding of all things community. Her knowledge of working with your organisation is a vital link in sharing your passion and advocating for your services and projects with trustees. Dianne’s strength is getting to the heart of a project and working alongside groups to achieve their goals.

Email: dianne@communitytrustsouth.nz

With a wealth of experience in financial services, administrative systems and support, Michelle brings a positive and friendly approach to supporting community groups and individuals ensuring your grant or scholarship application is in very safe hands. Her part-time role supports our Grants Manager in the day-to-day administration of funding activities.

Email: michelle.baron@communitytrustsouth.nz

Ngaire’s down-to-earth approach, combined with a diverse range of skills and responsibilities, ensures she's the glue that holds our office together. With over ten years’ experience at the Trust, Ngaire knows the organisation inside and out and is your first point of contact.

Email: ngaire@communitytrustsouth.nz

With over 20 years’ experience as a chartered accountant in the private and community sectors, Jen brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role. When it comes to numbers, Jen thrives on detail and can bring numbers to life, ensuring our investments and operations are managed based on best practice.

Email: jennifer@communitytrustsouth.nz

With a Bachelor of Physical Education and Postgrad in Rehabilitation, Robyn brings a wide range of skills and experiences to her role of over 10 years. Having her finger on the pulse and knowing what’s happening in our community and the wider grantmaking sector ensures our strategy and grantmaking decisions are well informed.

Email: robyn@communitytrustsouth.nz

With a sales and marketing background, Justine brings years of experience to communicating the amazing work and achievements of people and community groups supported by the Trust. She also keeps everyone informed about funding opportunities and what’s new at Community Trust South.