OUR PEOPLE
People with purpose.
Working together for the Western Bay.
Our Trustees and team bring different skills, perspectives and experiences to Manawa Trust, united by a shared commitment to the Western Bay of Plenty and its future.
Together, they guide our direction, protect and grow the community investment fund, and work alongside communities to help turn possibility into lasting impact.
OUR TEAM
Here to help.
Our team manages the day-to-day work of Manawa Trust, from community funding and partnerships to investment, finance and communications. Most importantly, they're here to work alongside the people and organisations helping our communities thrive.
CHIEF
EXECUTIVE
Wayne Werder
Wayne manages the operations, investments and programmes of the trust on behalf of the trustees. He has a strong background managing community and not-for-profit organisations and has a Masters in Management studies from the University of Waikato.
Contact Wayne wayne@manawatrust.nz
COMMUNITY
IMPACT MANAGER
FINANCE AND
INVESTMENT MANAGER
Tricia Hudson
Tricia manages Manawa's accounting and finance functions and is responsible for the administration of Manawa's investments to ensure that they are in line with the trust's objectives and principles. She is a Chartered Accountant member of Chartered Accountants Australia New Zealand.
Contact Tricia
tricia@manawatrust.nz
INVESTMENT
MANAGER
Dougal Crisp
Dougal is the Investment Manager for Manawa Trust and BayTrust, providing support to the Investment Committees and Boards of both organisations. He works closely with each Trust's investment advisor and underlying fund managers to support portfolio oversight, reporting and effective collaboration across the Bay of Plenty.
Contact Dougal investments@manawatrust.nz
ACCOUNTS & BUSINESS
SERVICES ADMINISTRATOR
Jody Robertson
Jody plays a vital role in supporting the daily business and financial operations of the Manawa team. She provides essential administrative assistance and ensures that grant payments to community organisations are processed accurately and in a timely manner.
Contact Jody
jody@manawatrust.nz
GRANTS
ADVISOR
Tane Phillips
Tane's role is to provide advice and support to community organisations seeking funding from Manawa Trust, with a particular focus on our priority communities. He brings strong technical knowledge and a commitment to supporting initiatives that benefit the ageing population and youth across the Western Bay of Plenty.
Contact Tane
tane@manawatrust.nz
GRANTS
ADVISOR
Linda Kohi
Linda provides advice and support to community organisations seeking funding from Manawa Trust. Drawing on her background in finance, governance and the community sector, she guides applicants through the funding process and is committed to helping our local communities thrive.
Contact Linda linda@manawatrust.nz
GRANTS
ADMINISTRATOR
Fiona Robertson
Fiona supports the Grants Team with day-to-day grants administration, reporting and communication with the organisations we fund. Fiona has a background in volunteering with a focus on community education. She is your first port of call on how we may be able to assist your organisation with a grant.
Contact Fiona fiona@manawatrust.nz
GRANTS & EVENT FUND
ADVISOR
Maureen Chaytor
Maureen's role is to provide advice and support to community organisations seeking funding from Manawa’s Responsive Grant Funds. She also coordinates the application and panel assessment process for the Tauranga Western Bay Community Events Fund on behalf of the fund partners.
Contact Maureen maureen@manawatrust.nz
COMMUNICATIONS
COORDINATOR
Georgia Frame
Georgia manages Manawa's communications, ensuring the community is kept informed about our funding, impact and strategic direction. She leads the Western Bay Community Awards and shares the impact stories that celebrate the people and organisations making a positive difference across our region.
Contact Georgia georgia@manawatrust.nz
OUR TRUSTEES
Guardians for the future.
Our six elected Trustees are responsible for the governance and long-term stewardship of Manawa Trust. They oversee the Trust's strategic direction, investment fund and funding decisions, helping ensure the assets entrusted to Manawa continue creating benefit for the Western Bay of Plenty for generations to come.
CHAIRPERSON
Mark Arundel
Mark was elected as a Trustee in July 2018, and was re-elected in November 2022. Mark shares a vision of healthy, thriving communities where health, activity and connectedness are fostered for all. He brings nearly four decades of Community Pharmacy and health-related experience alongside governance and management roles.
DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON
Kate Barry-Piceno
Kate was elected as a Trustee in November 2022. She is a practising Barrister who specialises in resource management law and has considerable experience in local government, administrative and employment law. Kate has served on a number of boards in the past, including Surf Life Saving NZ and NZ Garden and Art Festival Trust, and is currently the Chair of Mount Main Street.
TRUSTEE
Peter Blackwell
Pete was elected as a Trustee in July 2014, re-elected in July 2018, and re-elected again in 2022. Pete retired as a Detective Sergeant in the NZ Police in 2014 and lives at the Mount with his wife and son, with 3 elder children having left home. Pete's passion is to make this community a better place and as such has worked hard to make a difference.
TRUSTEE
Don Brash
Don was elected as a Trustee in October 2024. He has had a long career in banking, including as Governor of the Reserve Bank for 14 years, and in politics. He has been a Director or Trustee of a number of companies, and is currently Chairman of a bank and Director of an industrial property company. He is keen to use that experience for the benefit of the people of the Bay of Plenty.
TRUSTEE
Rachael Gemming
Rachael was appointed as a Trustee in September 2022 and re-elected in October 2024. She is a Chartered Accountant and Corporate Tax Specialist, with experience supporting large organisations. Rachael lives in Welcome Bay with her husband and 3 school-aged children. Rachael is passionate about supporting Manawa Trust to thrive for the next generation.
TRUSTEE
Greg Brownless
Greg was elected as a Trustee in October 2024. He has been patron of local arts and sports organisations, and for many years active in community and musical theatre. Greg is also a trustee of the charitable trust he established. A particular interest is in supporting groups at a grassroots level. His desire is that Manawa Trust grows in its ability to assist a thriving community.
TRUSTEE ELECTIONS
Elected by our community.
Manawa Trust is governed by six Trustees elected by the community. Trustees serve four-year terms, with three positions coming up for election every two years.
OUR FUTURE DIRECTORS
Future Guardians
As part of the Future Directors® programme with the Institute of Directors New Zealand, Manawa Trust welcomes next-generation directors onto the board. These directors join discussions and gain experience, while bringing fresh ideas and talent to help shape decisions supporting the Western Bay of Plenty community. They are not permitted to vote and are assigned for 12 months until the AGM in November 2026.
Monique Va'ai Matatia and Ben de Farias
Growing up in Samoa, Monique is now deeply immersed in life here in the Western Bay, as a mum of four and a business owner. With experience as a lawyer, ECE teacher and business owner in the education and diversity space, Monique is passionate about ensuring our communities feel supported and connected.
Her background and cultural competency will bring a fresh lens to our board and she is looking forward to learning more about Manawa Trust’s Priority Communities strategic focus area.
Whereas, Ben hails from Te Puke and has a background in health and technology, working as an Audiologist and a business owner in the health sector. As a Future Director on the Manawa Trust Board, Ben hopes the experience will provide insight into how strategic governance can respond to the needs of our communities.
Investment into infrastructure and accessibility within the housing sector is a key focus area he hopes to gain more knowledge in.
Our strategy
See the purpose, priorities and values guiding the work of Manawa Trust.
Get in touch
Have a question or want to talk to our team? We'd love to hear from you.
The heartbeat behind a thriving Western Bay of Plenty.
NAVIGATION
WRITE TO US
The Kollective
DX Box HP40007
Tauranga 3112
VISIT US
The Kollective
145, 17th Avenue,
Tauranga
CONTACT
Phone us
07 578 5094
Email us
info@manawatrust.nz