Our Trustees - Ngā Kaitarahiti
Our nine trustees, who form the Board that governs Community Trust South, are appointed by the Minister of Finance for four-year terms.
Trustees are from throughout our area and include a mix of community, investment, legal and financial expertise to assist us in achieving high governance standards and to ensure effective stewardship of the significant community resource they are responsible for.
The role of our Board is to set our strategy and policies, and to make decisions on all funding requests.
The Board has a code of conduct that reflects good governance standards and all trustees commit to declaring generosity, acting ethically and professionally, and to properly manage conflicts of interest.
To give effect to the Treaty principle of partnership the Trust is committed to recommending a Mana Whenua endorsed presence on the Board. Along with the usual roles of a Trustee the role of a Mana Whenua Endorsed Trustee includes connecting the Trust with Iwi, providing a Māori perspective into Trust decision making; encouraging consideration of issues surrounding Manawhenua and Iwi Māori; facilitating advice and guidance to the Trust in undertaking its operations in a manner that values and respects kawa (protocols) and tikanga (customs).
There are three sub committees of the Board:
- Investment
- Audit, Finance and Risk Management
- General Manager Assessment
The day to day running of our organisation is delegated to our General Manager who, along with staff, is responsible for delivering on our strategy.
Kirsty Pickett
Heamana - Chair
Ko Takitimu te maunga
Ko Skippers te whenua e hono nei ki taku whanau
Ko Te Anau te roto e tata ana ki taku ngākau
Ko Devon ko Turakina te waka
Ko Scotland tōku iwi
Nō Te Anau ahau
Ko Kirsty Pickett taku ingoa
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.
Stephen Canny
Heamana Tuarua - Deputy Chair
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.
Aimee Kaio
Trustee
Ko Motupohue te mauka
Ko Te Ara a Kewa te moana
Ko Tarere ki whenua uta te whenua
Ko Tahu Potiki te tangata
Ko Te Rau Aroha te marae
Ko Kai Tahu, Kati Mamoe me Waitaha oku iwi.
He uri ahau no Te Arawa me Nga Puhi hoki.
Ko Aimee Kaio toku ingoa.
Aimee is a born and bred Southlander, and she lives in Bluff with her husband, children and their first mokopuna. Aimee is part of the Ngāi Tahu Regional Investment Team, working with Papatipu Runaka of Ngāi Tahu to support their investment and intergenerational wealth aspirations. Aimee’s career has predominantly been in hapū, iwi and regional development.
Aimee is an active member of Awarua Rūnaka and of Murihiku Regeneration and holds a number of Governance roles, Kahui Māori for Deep South Challenge and the Antarctic Science Platform, a Board member of EAT NZ, Board member of COIN South and Co-Chair of Southland Just Transition. Aimee has a passion for social impact, climate action and entrepreneurship, where she mentors rangatahi and startups in these spaces. Aimee is a DBA candidate for 2023, with a focus on Iwi-led regional economic development.
David Goble
Trustee
Ko Kawarau te māunga
Ko Te Whaka-ata te roto
Nō Waihōpai ahau
Ko Ingarangi, ko Airihi ōku iwi
Ko Waihōpai tōku kainga noho
Ko David Goble tōku ingoa
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.
Leanne Samuel
Trustee
Ko Maungatua toku maunga
Ko Taieri toku awa
Ko Pakeha, Kuki Airani toku iwi
Ko Murihiku tohu papa kainga
Ko Leanne Samuel toku ingoa
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.
Leon Hartnett
Trustee
Ko Maungawhau te māunga
Ko Liffey te awa
No Dublin ahau
Ko Airihi, ōku iwi
Ko Waihopai toku kainga noho
Ko Leon Hartnett tōku ingoa
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.
Louise Fowler
Mana Whenua Endorsed Trustee
Ko Hananui te mauka
Te Ara o Kewa te moana
Ko Takatimu te waka
Ko Uruao te waka tipuna
Katimamoe, Kaitahu, Waitaha nga iwi
E te taha o taku papa
Rakiamoa me Ngai Tuahuriri ona hapu
Ko Walter Momo Fowler ia
E te taha o taku mama
Ruahikihiki me Irakehu ona hapu
Ko Majorie Goodwillie ia
Ko Louise Fowler taku ingoa
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.
Melanie Montgomery
Trustee
Ko Takitimu te māunga
Ko Te Anau to awa
Nō Murihiku ahau
Ko Dickson toku whanau
Ko Montgomery toku whanau inaianei
Ko Mel Montgomery toku ingoa
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.
Becoming a Trustee
Trustees of Community Trust South are responsible for an investment fund of approximately $250 million and distributing income generated, to benefit communities of Southland, Wakatipu Basin, Tapanui and Heriot.
The Minister of Finance has responsibility for appointing Trustees. To assist the Minister to identify suitable people for consideration when a Trustee’s term of appointment is due to end, irrespective of whether that Trustee is available for reappointment, the Trust will advertise for expressions of interest from people in the Trust’s region.
As well as seeking nominations from the Trust, the Minister can also receive nominations directly from any other interested people. All applicants must reside in the Community Trust South area.
The Minister takes into consideration several factors when making appointments including the skills and attributes required.
Collectively Trustees must have the skills to manage the Trust, in particular:
• Sufficient diversity among Trustees (for example, in relation to background, skillset, ethnicity, demographics, and gender) in order to ensure that the communities in the Community Trust South area and their needs are properly represented;
• Sufficient Trustees who whakapapa Maori;
• Sufficient Trustees who have the skills required to manage the Trust Fund's investments (including compliance with financial and legal requirements);
• Trustees who collectively have skills in governance, community experience and the social sector; and
• Sufficient institutional knowledge of the Trust's affairs retained amongst the Trustees to enable smooth operation of the Trust.
Expressions of Interest for our Trustee positions are now closed, however, we have included the below information for you to read in the meantime.
If you would like to be notified when Expressions of Interest re-open, please email our Marketing and Communications Advisor Courtney Walker at courtney.walker@communitytrustsouth.nz.
Click here for information about becoming a Trustee.
Click here for information about exclusions to becoming a Trustee.
Click here for our Expression of Interest Information Pack.
If you have any questions about becoming a Trustee please contact Jackie Flutey, General Manager by phone on 0800 500 185 or email jackie@communitytrustsouth.nz.
External Committee Members
In line with best practice and the need for continuity, the Trust can appoint External Committee Members (ECM) to a Trust committee to support the Board in discharging its responsibilities.
The term of an ECM’s appointment will be decided by the Board taking into account the requirements of the committee, upcoming Trustee appointment rounds, the expected duration of the committee and the need for continuity on the committee. A person cannot be an ECM on more than one committee at one time.
Kathryn Ball
Audit, Finance & Risk Committee
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 the Chair of our Audit, Finance and Risk Committee, is a fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, and a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Directors.
Andrew Johnson
Investment Committee
Andrew is an investment professional currently focussing on governance roles. He has more than 25 years’ investment experience, including nearly 9 years as a consultant advising institutional clients.
Andrew is an investment committee member for two other organisations (including a Community Trust) and a board member of three restricted workplace savings schemes. He also provides ongoing advisory services to a retail managed fund provider, and undertakes ad hoc advisory projects from time to time.
Staff - Kaimahi
Jackie Flutey
Chief Executive Officer
Ko Tititea te māunga
Ko Wanaka te roto
Nō Otautahi ahau
Ko Liz rāua ko Ron Carson ōku mātua
No Wanaka rāua
Ko Ray Flutey toku hoa tane
Nō Akaroa ia
Ko Kai Tahu tana iwi
Ko Abby tāku tamahine
Ko Joseph tāku tama
Ko Waihopai toku kainga noho
Ko Jackie Flutey toku ingoa
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.
Dianne Williams
Grants Manager
Ko Takitimu toku māunga
Ko Aparima toku awa
Ko Nightcaps te whenua, e hono nei ki
taku whanau
Ko Kotirani, ko Airihi tōku iwi
Ko Waihopai toku kainga noho
Ko Dianne Williams tōku ingoa
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.
Michelle Baron
Funding Advisor
Ko Motupohue te māuka
Ko Te Ara a Kiwa te moana
Ko Takitimu te waka
Nō Te Moutere a Ruapuke ahau
Ko Te Rau Aroha tōku marae
Ko Tuhawaiki Te Rangitira
Ko Kai Tahu, ko Katirani oku iwi
Ko Kati Mamoe, ko Waitaha ōku hapu
Ko Waihopai toku kainga noho
Ko Michelle Baron toku ingoa
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.
Jennifer Hay
Accountant
Ko Takitimu te māunga
Ko Waiau te awa
Ko Wakatipu te roto
Ko Kotirani, Ko Airihi, Ko Werehi oku iwi
Ko Jennifer Hay toku ingoa
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.
Robyn Koehler
Research Manager
Ko Takitimu te māunga
Ko Waihopai te awa
Ko Pladda te waka
Ko Kotirani, ko Airihi, ko Wiwi ngā iwi
Nō Roslyn Bush ahau
Ko Waihopai tōku kainga noho
Ko Beadle, ko Thomas tōku whānau
Ko Robyn Koehler tōku ingoa
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
Ngaire Hamilton
Office Manager
Ko Takitimu te māunga
Ko Waimatuku te awa
Ko Napaeleon Toru te waka
Ko Drummond te whenua, e hono nei, ki
taku whanau
Ko Kotirani toku iwi
Nō Otatara ahau
Ko Ngaire Hamilton toku ingoa
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.
Marcia Xavier
Marketing and Communications Advisor
Ko Agulhas Negras te māunga
Ko Wakatipu te roto
Nō Brazil ahau
Ko Waihopai toku kainga noho
Ko Marcia Xavier toku ingoa
Na reira, tena koutou, tena koutou, tena tatou katoa
Marcia is originally from Rio de Janeiro and has been living in Southland since 2020. With over fifteen years of experience in Marketing, Communications and Management positions in both Aotearoa NZ and Brazil, she brings a multinational approach to Community Trust South. Marcia is always keen on learning something new, with a positive attitude to make the difference in the community. Marcia has also a passion for nature, an active lifestyle and is a volunteer at IHC Invercargill and Coastguard Bluff.
Email: marcia@communitytrustsouth.nz
Vacancies
DIRECTOR – INVEST SOUTH (CLOSED)
Owned 100% by Community Trust South, Invest South is an investment equity fund which invests predominantly in businesses connected to the Community Trust region (Southland, Fiordland and Queenstown), which are looking for capital and expertise to fund growth and/or succession. Invest South’s focus is on partnering with management teams to increase and realise the value of a business. As well as equity investment, Invest South provides board expertise, strong networks and hands on management support to assist with the moments of change that underpin successful growth.
As shareholder, Community Trust South is seeking expressions of interest from people wishing to be considered for appointment as an independent director on the Invest South Board. It is recognised that Invest South’s portfolio of investments range across a wide number of different business stages and industries and thus a diverse set of skills and experience is required on the Board. Applicants must be able to demonstrate through their skills, qualifications, and relevant experience which enable them to create and add value at a governance level.
Community Trust South is particularly interested in appointing directors that possess some of the following skills and attributes:
· Investment, banking, accounting and company structuring experience
· Governance or leadership experience with businesses focused on growth
· Experience with business growth at a national and/or global level
Director’s fees are paid.
For further information about the activities of Invest South, visit www.investsouth.co.nz. The Position Description and the online application form can be found below or email info@communitytrustsouth.nz for the link to the application form. If you have any questions, please contact Community Trust South on 0800 500 185.
Applications close on Monday 10 July 2023.
Click to see the Position Description