Recent Publications
Address
The Supported Life Style Hauraki Trust
608 Queen Street
PO Box 524
Thames 3540
Contact
+64 (0)7 868 5038
[email protected]
Gordon Jackman
Chairperson
suplife.org.nzGordon has been Chair of The Supported Life Style Hauraki Trust since the start of 2024’. Gordon Jackman moved to the Kauaeranga Valley in 2008 with his partner Catherine Delahunty from his hometown Gisborne, where he worked as an archaeologist for many years. Gordon joined The Supported Life Style Hauraki Trust board in 2010 motivated by his experience of disability, having contracted polio in 1956, and a lifelong commitment to advocating for the rights of people with disabilities. Gordon also had experience of governance in several Not for Profit organisations. In 2015 Gordon developed a strategic plan for Polio NZ which has lead him become their project manager in 2015, and then the CEO of the Duncan Foundation in 2017.(www.duncanfoundation.org) He is inspired by the work of the Trust and the acceptance and integration of the Trust into the Thames community and feels very privileged to be able to contribute to the Trust.
Mike Noonan
Board Member
suplife.org.nz
Michael Noonan was Chair of The Supported Life Style Hauraki Trust from 2007 to 2018. Mike has 23 years’ experience in the not-for-profit sector. With a background in radio and TV, sales and marketing, Mike is an advocate with a strong network across various sectors. One of his other roles has been the establishment and leadership of the Coromandel Independent Living Trust, a charitable trust based in Coromandel Town, delivering a wide variety of Social Services and Community Development programmes.
Mike has also supported a number of local and national organisations over the years such Moehau Nga Tangata Whenua Trust, SPAN Trust, Inclusive New Zealand, Coromandel Community Services Trust and Driving Creek Railway, Arts and Conservation Trust, by being a governing member.
He is committed to developing organisations that will make a real difference to the communities of the upper Coromandel.
Mike is a full member of the Blind Foundation and Blind Citizens Aotearoa.
In his spare time, he and his wife, Alison Carter, a former documentary producer, live on a 5.5 hectare block, restoring it to native bush, thereby encouraging the return of many indigenous birds to the Coromandel.
Vince Ross
Treasurer
suplife.org.nzVince Ross has been the whānau representative on the Trust board for the last nine years. Vince and his wife Tanya have two sons, and one of those sons, Mario, has lived in the Trust community for the past 14 years. Vince grew up on a farm in Manurewa and went to school in both south Auckland and New Plymouth. He started work in the retail sector and has stayed in retail businesses ever since. He and Tanya currently live in Mount Maunganui, and have a business there named Machinery and Power Tool Centre. He states, “It is a pleasure to be involved with the Trust”.
Edward Benson-Cooper
Board Member
suplife.org.nzEdward is a successful business owner, company director, and health practitioner, managing a multidisciplinary health clinic and serving as the principal Chiropractor.
Having served on the Waitemata District Health Board (WDHB) and the New Zealand Chiropractic Board (NZCB), he brings a high level of governance and policy experience and holds a number of trusted positions on various Committees & Trusts, two of which he chairs and deputy chairs.
Edward joined The Supported Life Style Hauraki Trust in 2021 and has experience in the disability sector through his role as Chair of the Disability & Support Advisory Committee and involvement in various equity-focused strategies such as the prioritisation of Māori Health, shaping positive attitudes towards disability and incorporating a disability lens to facilities and programmes.
Brendon Wilkinson
Board Member
suplife.org.nzBrendon Wilkinson spent 25 years as an Electronic Engineer before studying Theology eventually being ordained as a Priest, he has been a Vicar in Thames since 2017 with a heart for community, engaging in ways such as Chaplain to our Police, hospital, St Johns and our RSA. He is part of our local Iwi Ngati Tamatera, his family is from Paeroa.
He joined The Supported Life Style Hauraki Trust in 2022 encouraged by the heart of the organization and its vision to enable and encourage our Life Stylers. He is excited and proud to be a part of The Supported Life Style Hauraki Trust as it evolves with the ever changing health and disability sector.
Amy Cavanaugh
Board Member
suplife.org.nzAmy Cavanaugh brings a wealth of experience in financial services and a passion for governance to her role on the board of The Supported Life Style Hauraki Trust. With over a decade in banking, insurance, investments, and property finance, and as the current Head of Transformation – Corporate Trustee Services at Public Trust, Amy has honed her business leadership skills.
As a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors and a contributor to the IoD Auckland Branch Under 40’s committee, Amy is committed to promoting and supporting the next generation of leaders. Her governance journey began with her appointment as an Independent Director at a boutique investment fund. She is also a board member of AFS International, a Not-for-Profit providing development opportunities for high school students to engage, lead and collaborate effectively in different cultural settings through overseas student exchanges.
Amy’s personal connection to the disability sector is deeply rooted in her experience growing up with a disabled mother, which instilled in her a respect for those living with disabilities and those dedicated to supporting them.
Melanie Kenrick
Board Member
suplife.org.nzMelanie has a younger brother (Nicholas) who has intellectual disabilities. This has influenced many of her life choices.
Previously Melanie had an extensive nursing and leadership background working in mental health, and with community services in both the United Kingdom and New Zealand.
Melanie and her husband Paul have three children, she was fortunate to have had the opportunity to be a stay-at-home mother for 11 years (although actively involved in many of their community activities and organisations).
In 2019 Melanie was elected a member of Kaipatiki Local Board (and re-elected in 2022) She enjoys being involved in building relationships and networking with a diverse range of people, as well as being part of the many positive initiatives within the local community.
In 2020 Melanie became a director for Hohepa Homes National Trust Board. Her brother has been living most of his life supported by Hohepa. She is inspired to work with organisations that enable people with disabilities to live a full life.
Melanie brings strong governance experience, combined with a personal and professional background of understanding to her role with the Supported Life Style Hauraki Trust.
Kirsty Griffin
Board Member
suplife.org.nzKirsty returned to her hometown of Thames after 30+ years in the New Zealand film industry. She first became involved with the Trust when she and her partner Viv Kernick were invited to produce and co direct a film celebrating the Trust’s 20 year anniversary in 2014. The project sparked a deep connection with the residents , their families and staff, providing a unique insight into the community and its distinct culture. The experience led to the creation of the Amy Street web series, which kept Kirsty involved with the residents for another year. She relished to opportunity to share their stories and shed light on the unique challenges they face, while highlighting the common thread that binds us all. Kirsty has developed a profound appreciation of the trust and its community . She is very pleased to be part of The Supported Life Style Hauraki Trust.
Paul Sullivan
Board Member
suplife.org.nzPaul has worked in the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors, in a variety of roles. He has over 20 years’ of board experience, and is a Chartered Member of the NZ Institute of Directors. He has held governance positions in the health and disability sector, including eight years on the Board of the Blind Foundation, and six years on the Board of Workbridge. He lives in Wellington, and has two daughters.