Trust Board

Brian Davey

Trustee

Brian has lived in Ohoka, with his wife Linda, for the last 10 years and very much enjoys being part of this diverse community. 

Brian has 36 years experience in global sales and has worked in more than 40 countries. He has very much enjoyed meeting and working with people from very different cultures but strongly believes that New Zealand is the best place to call home.  

Brian was Board Chair of Community Wellbeing North Canterbury Trust from 2018 to 2022. He feels privileged to be using his skills and experience to assist a fantastic team in their endeavours to create a thriving North Canterbury. 

Kylie Clark

Trustee

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

Sam has lived in Rangiora for over 20 years and loves being part of the local community. Sam and his wife Tina have four children aged from 11 through to 21.

Having a strong business development and management background in the technology sector, Sam has travelled extensively introducing NZ tech to the global market. Sam’s current role is as Business Development Manager for a locally based technology company.

When Sam isn’t working or relaxing at home with his family, he is kept busy with various activities including teaching adults and kids to sail and racing yachts on Lyttelton Harbour.

As well as being a Community Wellbeing trustee, Sam is the Commodore at the Waimakariri Sailing Club and a member of the board at Rangiora Borough School.

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.

Pauline White

Trustee

Pauline was born, raised and educated in Rangiora where she resided until 2016 when she moved to a lifestyle block in Broomfield with Nigel, her husband of 20 years, and her three teenaged daughters. Pauline is the Hurunui District Council representative on the Trust Board and is thrilled to be serving in this role.

She has 28 years educational experience in teaching in primary and area schools in Christchurch and North Canterbury. Pauline has also spent time working via distance with qualified teachers for the University of Canterbury in tutoring upgrades to degree qualifications. She currently teaches at Broomfield School where she leads the junior team.

Outside of Council and work responsibilities, Pauline enjoys work on the lifestyle block, mountain biking, reading and travelling the country by motor home.

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.

Niki Mealings

Trustee

Niki has lived in Ohoka for 24 years with her Kaiapoi born and bred husband and their three children. A second term District Councillor, elected to the Oxford-Ohoka Ward, Niki has been appointed to the Trust Board as the Waimakariri District Council (WDC) representative. Niki has been active in Waimakariri for many years and loves the friendly, caring community she serves.

Niki’s extensive community involvement includes participating in the Council’s Drug and Alcohol Harm Prevention Steering Group, WDC liaison for the Waimakariri Youth Council, being a member of the WDC’s Community and Recreation Committee and holding the Council’s Climate Change and Sustainability portfolio.

Niki holds a Bachelor of Commerce and has lived and worked in Japan, Taiwan, South Korea and the United States. She brings a keen interest and appreciation of other cultures to her community roles.

Niki has a passion for gardening and biodiversity and has undertaken many community plantings in the district. She also founded the Waimak Lifestyle Block Group in 2018 as a way to help people network and learn from one another. The Group connects on lifestyle block management issues such as biodiversity, animal husbandry and civil defence. In her spare time Niki also enjoys kayaking and spending time in the outdoors with her whānau.

With her strong connection to North Canterbury, and her incredible commitment to community service, Niki is proud to become a Trustee for Community Wellbeing North Canterbury Trust.

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.