Our Board. Tō mātou pōari.

Kylie Clark

Trustee

Ko Tākitimu te pae mauka.
Ko Aparima te awa.
Ko Te Ara a Kiwa te moana.
Ko Tākitimu, ko Uruao kā waka.
Ko Kāi Tahu, ko Kāti Māmoe, ko Waitaha, ko Kāti Pākehā hoki kā iwi.
He honoka hapū ōhoku ki kā hapū maha o Kāi Tahu whānui.
Heoti anō ko Kāi Te Ruahikihiki, ko Kāi Tūāhuriri, ko Kāti Moki, ko Kāi Te Pahi, ko Kāi Te Atawhiua kā hapū matua.
Ko Ruapuke, ko Rakiura, ko Murihiku, ko Ōtākou anō hoki kā whenua tīpuna.
Ko Te Rau Aroha, ko Murihiku, ko Ōtākou kā marae matua, ekari he pāka hoki ōhoku ki marae kē atu.
I tipu ake ahau i Ōtautau heotī anō, kai Kapukariki ahau e noho ana i ēnei rā.
Ko Kylie Clark tōhoku ikoa, ā, nōhoku te whiwhi ki te tū hai mema o te Pōari nei e tautoko ai i tō tātau hapori whānui.
Nō reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā rā tātau katoa.

Tākitimu is the mountain range.
Aparima is the river.
Foveaux Strait is the body of water.
Tākitimu and Uruao are the canoes.
Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, Waitaha and Pākehā are the people.
I have connections to many of the extensive sub-tribes of Kāi Tahu.
Kāi Te Ruahikihiki, Kāi Tūāhuriri, Kāti Moki, Kāi Te Pahi, Kāi Te Atawhiua are the main subtribes.
Ruapuke, Rakiura, Murihiku and Ōtākou are the lands of my ancestors.
Te Rau Aroha, Murihiku and Ōtākou are the main meeting grounds but I have connections to others.
I grew up in Ōtautau however I am living in Kapukariki (Cust) these days.
My name is Kylie Clark and it is my pleasure to stand as a member of this board to support our wider community.

Kylie Clark brings significant leadership and insight to the Community Wellbeing North Canterbury Trust through her work as a Nurse Coordinator in the Nursing Workforce Development Team at Te Whatu Ora Waitaha. In this role, Kylie leads efforts to grow and support the Māori nursing workforce and works across the wider health system to embed Te Tiriti o Waitangi and cultural safety into nursing education and practice. Her mahi is grounded in equity, cultural integrity, and improving health outcomes—values that align strongly with the mission of CWNCT.

With deep knowledge of workforce development and a commitment to systemic change, Kylie plays an important role in shaping the future of nursing in Aotearoa. Her experience working at both strategic and frontline levels gives her a unique understanding of the barriers individuals and whānau face, and the types of support that make a lasting difference. This perspective brings valuable depth to her governance role on the CWNCT Board.

Kylie was drawn to CWNCT by its kaupapa and hands-on approach to community wellbeing. Early in her involvement, a visit to Karanga Mai Early Learning Centre left a strong impression. She was moved by the way the Centre integrates early childhood education with the Young Parents College, allowing parents to continue their education while staying connected to their tamariki. 

Kylie hopes to use her time on the Board to help share real-life stories that reflect the Trust’s deep community impact, and to grow awareness of the work happening every day to support those in need. She believes that building wider recognition of CWNCT’s role in the region will lead to increased support, sponsorship, and collective responsibility for the wellbeing of all in North Canterbury.

Leigh Kennedy

Trustee

Leigh is a proud North Cantabrian, a mum to two adult children, and a highly experienced Change Manager, Strategic Planning, and Governance Advisor. With expertise in change management, stakeholder engagement, strategic planning, and communications, she has worked locally, nationally, and internationally. Leigh brings a wealth of knowledge to our Trust.

Leigh believes that strong healthy communities mean strong healthy whānau, and vice versa. This is vitally important work that Community Wellbeing works towards as a high performing organisation making an incredible positive impact in North Canterbury, which drew her to be part of our mission.

Rae Wakefield-Jones

Trustee

Rae has been involved in our local community for many years; including working as a volunteer for the combined Student Army and Farmy Army during the Canterbury earthquakes and as a committee member of the Pegasus Residents’ Group for 3 years.  In 2021 Rae joined the Waimakariri Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) as a volunteer.  In June 2024 she became a board member of Volunteering Canterbury. 

Rae has extensive experience in establishing, improving and managing administrative systems and processes, financial management, reporting and funding applications.  She returned to New Zealand in 2005 after 25 years living overseas in Australia and England.  In March 2024 Rae retired after years as an Administration and Finance Manager for a national not for profit. 

The mahi that Community Wellbeing do is heartwarming and integral to strong, healthy and happy North Canterbury community and Rae is proud to be part of that.

Tsarina Dellow

CHAIR

Tsarina lives in Hanmer Springs and is a well-known and well-respected member of the local community. She has been committed to caring for people in the Hurunui District for over a decade, previously working as an administrator at the Hanmer Springs Health Centre and volunteering as an ambulance officer for St John, gaining a National Diploma in Ambulance Practice and holding the position of volunteer Station Manager. She continues her involvement in healthcare as a community representative on the Waitaha Primary Health Organisation Board, and is involved in a number of other local volunteer groups.

Tsarina is a Chartered Accountant and enjoys working in a community-based practice in Amberley, where she interacts with Hurunui locals on a daily basis. Tsarina is passionate about the wellbeing of others and is proud to have become Board Chair of Community Wellbeing North Canterbury Trust in 2022.

In her downtime Tsarina enjoys spending time in the backcountry with her horses and two dogs.

Jessica Powell

Trustee

Jessica Powell is a Chartered Accountant with strong expertise in financial management, business advisory, and organisational strategy. Her career has spanned leadership roles in both professional services and the agricultural investment sector, where she is currently Finance Manager at FarmRight Ltd.

Jessica brings to the Board a depth of experience in financial oversight, risk management, and governance, along with a people-centred approach that emphasises care, trust, and long-term sustainability. Passionate about supporting local communities, she values using her professional skills to strengthen organisations that make a difference.

Susan Mowat

Trustee

Susan has lived in North Canterbury all her life, except for a time teaching in England. She is a secondary school teacher in Maths, Health and Science, having trained via a guidance counselling programme. She lives on a farm with her husband near Motunau after growing up in Oxford.

Susan has a strong passion for wellbeing and mental health with a focus on those in more rural communities, especially youth. For several years, teaching at an all-boys high school, she had a particular interest assisting teenage males to flourish through becoming more resilient and happier within their own skin.

Susan is part of the North Canterbury Rural Support Trust and was on the Waitaha Primary Health Board, formerly Rural Canterbury PHO. She has been a past member of the Canterbury District Health Board’s Family Advisory Council.

With her three sons now teenagers, Susan feels strongly about giving back to the community. When she isn’t teaching, or following her children’s interests and sports, she enjoys the outdoors.

Shona Powell

Trustee

Shona brings strong local knowledge and governance experience, currently serving as a Waimakariri District Councillor and previously as Chair of the Woodend–Pegasus Community Board.

Shona lives in Waikuku and has deep connections across the district.

She is passionate about community development, local voice and ensuring that services remain responsive to the needs of whānau.

Alison Hood

Trustee

Alison moved from the UK to New Zealand 18 years ago after she met her Kiwi husband on holiday. With extensive international experience and a background in business psychology, she runs her own consultancy as a Leadership and Team Development Coach. Her wide range of clients across Christchurch and other parts of NZ include private companies, government organisations, charities and trusts.

Strongly believing that relationships are at the heart of every successful organisation, Alison’s work in the wellbeing and resilience space highlights that with a trusting, honest and safe culture, there is no limit to what people can do: It’s the people, it’s the people, it’s the people.

Alison lives in North Canterbury on a lifestyle block with her husband Malcolm and her cat Peanut. She joined the board as a trustee in 2024 and is incredibly excited about supporting the Community Wellbeing North Canterbury Trust in all that they do.

Jamie Dudfield

Trustee

With over 15 years of experience as a Chartered Accountant, Jamie Dudfield brings extensive expertise in financial strategy, compliance, tax management, and risk assessment. His career spans the agricultural, commercial, and retail sectors, beginning with eight years in Southland before refining his skills at Brown Glassford & Co in Canterbury. Transitioning to the retail industry as a Finance & Operations Manager, Jamie bridged the gap between commercial financial strategy and rural business needs, deepening his passion for helping clients optimise their financial health. Now at Prosser Quirke, he is dedicated to empowering clients with clear insights into their financial situations, guiding them towards business success.

Jamie serves as Treasurer for Big Chats, applying his values-driven approach to financial oversight. His expertise in budgeting, forecasting, and risk management ensures the organisation’s long-term sustainability while aligning financial strategies with its mission. Originally from Southland, Jamie now resides in Tuahiwi, North Canterbury, with his wife, embracing the region’s opportunities for tramping, fishing, motorbiking, and outdoor recreation. He’s also an avid fan of American Football, following the sport with enthusiasm.

Steve Hutt

Trustee

Steve is a Hurunui District Councillor and long-time Amberley local, bringing more than 40 years of experience in service roles across the armed forces, police and wider government public service.

Steve is a local businessman and has run a family business through challenging financial times, giving him strong insight into resilience, community needs and practical problem solving. He and his family own the well-known Nor’Wester Café and Restaurant in Amberley, and Steve also serves as Village Manager, supporting residents and ensuring smooth day-to-day operations.

Louisa Sullivan

Trustee

Louisa’s interest in community wellbeing stems from a career in primary healthcare. Louisa has worked in clinical practice and clinical leadership including urgent after-hours care. Louisa’s work has taken her to many rural locations across Te Waipounamu including a locum role on Rēkohu Wharekauri Chatham Island. Louisa also enjoyed a few years as a lecturer. She taught nursing students undertaking clinical placements (including placements in Waimakariri and Hurunui).

Louisa now works for the Hospice Palliative Care Service at Nurse Maude. She is their Community Clinical Manager. In this role Louisa leads an interdisciplinary team. The team support GPs and district nursing providers throughout Waitaha Canterbury.

Equity is a priority for Louisa. She is excited to support the precious mahi undertaken by Community Wellbeing. She recognises the importance of collaboration and partnership with iwi.

Louisa lives with her husband on a lifestyle block in Balcairn. Their three children come and go from home base around study, flatting and OE experiences. A situation Louisa loves! The family have strong ties to Fox Glacier and spend significant time in South Westland. Their large country garden is where you’ll find Louisa when time allows. A passion passed down from her grandmothers.