Board

Since moving from Christchurch to Hamilton in 2008 to take up the role of Principal at Waikato Diocesan School, I have been an enthusiastic advocate of the city. I enjoy its natural environment, the active lifestyle it offers and the exciting growth and development that is increasingly evident. Nine years of leading the Dio community has also confirmed for me the importance of community engagement to personal purpose and wellbeing. For these reasons, I felt an immediate affinity with the purpose of the Alandale Foundation and look forward to utilising my governance, executive and property development skills and experience for the benefit of the village. I am committed to preserving and enhancing Alandale’s exceptional environment, first-rate facilities and vibrant community spirit and I support the philosophy which allows residents the independence of owning their own homes while also enjoying the security, opportunities and companionship of the village lifestyle.

In 2017 I relinquished the Principal’s role and my husband and I have valued the flexibility this affords us to visit our children overseas and to become more involved in the wider Waikato community. I am currently on the boards of Trust Waikato and the Perry Outdoor Education Trust and I find governance in the not for profit sector to be particularly satisfying. I am also a member of the Institute of Directors and a contractor with the NZ School Trustees Association, providing professional development in governance to school boards.

 

I was born in Morrinsville and have spent most of my life in Hamilton, completing my primary, secondary and tertiary education in Hamilton. 

I am a director of Braithwaite and Pearks Limited, a Chartered Accounting firm in central Hamilton with clients ranging from large corporates to small sole traders.  I am a fully qualified chartered accountant (NZ Institute of Chartered Accountants) and have successfully completed the Company Directors Course with the Institute of Directors.  This, along with my governance experience has given me comprehensive experience in financial and risk management and an understanding of the role, duties, skills and knowledge required by directors.  

Currently I am on the Board, and am Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee, for both Hospice Waikato and NZ National Fieldays Society Inc.  I have only recently retired from the Board of Waikato Diocesan School for Girls after nearly 11 years.  I am passionate about governance and find governance in the not for profit sector fulfilling.  I believe it is important to be involved with organisations where your values and beliefs align.  This is particularly what attracted me to Alandale and I fully support the philosophy of independent living of the residents while still being part of a vibrant and active community lifestyle.

I am passionate about governance, property, sustainability and building communities. With 12 years of board experience and over 20 years of senior management experience in the property industry, I have a deep understanding of the risks and rewards of the industry. I am a member of the Institute of Directors and have a Masters of Business Administration from Massey University.

Experience has taught me that having a long term focus drives the best outcome and returns for shareholders as well as delivering the best outcome for the built environment and the community. I have an extensive network of business and property relationships and am currently a Property Development Manager for Auckland International Airport. Current directorships include the Lake House Arts Trust in Takapuna, Auckland and the New Zealand Green Building Council.

I was born in Hamilton and attended Horsham Downs Primary School. I now have 4 children and live on Auckland’s North Shore but my memories of growing up in the Waikato are very strong which is where my interest in becoming involved with Alandale retirement village started. This is a unique community offering the benefit of freehold titles in one of the best parts of Hamilton nestled on the banks of the Waikato River. I am pleased to be part of the dedicated board looking to protect and enhance this wonderful development.

Paula joined the Alandale Board in April 2021 and is a Chartered Member, Institute of Directors, has a B.AgrEconomics (Massey) and an MBA (Distinction) from the University of Waikato. Paula is currently Trust Manager for the Braemar Charitable Trust. Previous governance roles include Deputy Chair at Hospice Waikato and the NZ Dietitians Board, Chair of Hamilton Cricket and board member of disability service provider Community Living Trust.

Paula currently sits on the Boards of Northern Districts Cricket Association, the Kerikeri Retirement Village, Waihikurangi Trust and Presbyterian Support-Northern. Paula is a Trustee for the Hamilton Sky City Community Trust and is a member of the Waikato Community Lotteries distribution committee.

Paula has an obvious passion for community development and working with organisations to build sustainable and resilient communities and to support the health and wellbeing of families/whānau.

Ruth and I moved into the village in 2017.  We appreciate what a great privilege it is to live in the Alandale community.  Since our arrival I have served briefly as secretary of the Social Committee followed by Treasurer of Advisory Committee.  These roles have enabled me to meet many village residents.  In the wider community I have served as a Trustee, Treasurer, committee person and advisor on a number community trusts and organisations.

My employment history was in Finance / Management roles for five dairy companies followed by Business Manager of St Paul’s Collegiate School.  In this role I not only had the responsibility for finance and administration of 6 entities within the Waikato Anglican College Trust group, but also for the management of buildings, facilities and grounds of the two campuses including oversight and management of some significant capital projects.

On the academic side I was a Chartered Accountant for 40 years and have also graduated with a Master of Business Administration from the University of Waikato.

My passion is to use the experience I have gained to the benefit of the Alandale community. 

It was an easy decision in 2022, for Mary & I to take up the "Easy Living By The River" lifestyle that Alandale offers.  The genuine village feel and layout; the beautifully maintained grounds; the great facilities on offer; the sense of security; the ownership model, and of course the villa we chose, continually reinforce that we made the right choice.  While we both have busy lives outside the village centred on family and our respective sporting interests, we have met and developed friendships with a number of residents who share the same perceptions.

My working life has given me a skill set that I believe will help me to fulfil the role of Resident Trustee.  I was involved in education for 20 years serving much of that time as a rural school principal and as deputy principal and long-term acting principal of an inner-city Hamilton school.

I also worked for 27 years in senior management roles with Livestock Improvement, the largest dairy herd improvement farmer cooperative in New Zealand and a world leader in diary genetics.  The staff management, farmer relations, strategic planning, and governance roles I held, are I believe, directly applicable to the role.

My focus will be to ensure that there continues to be alignment between the interests of residents and strategic direction of the Board.  I want to see Alandale adapt and innovate as required, to remain the village of choice in the Waikato.

 

Helen and I moved into Alandale Retirement Village in 2017.  We have enjoyed living in the village and have made a number of friendships as well as maintaining relationships with friends, family and organisations outside the Village.  We have found Alandale to be a friendly, safe, supportive community in which to spend our active retirement years.

I worked for over 55 years in the building industry in a number of general  management roles including responsibilities as a Board Member.  My practical skills were focused on timber processing, manufacturing and development, housing construction, general  building materials, marketing and retailing.

My objective as a Resident Trustee on the Alandale Board is to represent the best interests of the residents and the strategic future development of the Village.  Also to encourage open and frank communication between the residents, management and the Board of Trustees and to add my personal experience and knowledge to the considerable expertise that already exists with my fellow Board members.

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