Our Patron
Dame Cindy Kiro, GNZM, QSO
Much of Dame Cindy’s career has been in the tertiary education sector, where she became a distinguished researcher and held leadership roles at Massey University, Victoria University Wellington/Te Herenga Waka and the University of Auckland.
Her public sector roles have included Children’s Commissioner (the first woman and first Māori to be appointed to the role) membership of the Ministerial Cross-Sector Forum for the Ministry of Education, and Chair of the Welfare Expert Advisory Group.
Dame Cindy has had extensive experience in the public health sector, including a role as General Manager Funding and Services Planning and Māori Health for the Auckland District Health Board.
Prior to taking up her role as Governor-General, Dame Cindy was Chief Executive of the Royal Society Te Apārangi. Dame Cindy is the first Māori woman to be appointed as Governor-General.
OUR EXECUTIVE TEAM
Brent Eddy
CHAIR, DIRECTOR CORPORATE PARTNERSHIPS & TRUSTEE
Brent joined the ShelterBox Board in February of 2019.
From being in the service of the King of Swaziland to interviewing Meatloaf, orchestrating business strategies, and commercial negotiation Brent has accumulated an eclectic melange of career experiences.
His corporate career spans enterprise software, ICT, consulting, services and broadcasting industries predominantly managing programs related to engagement, brand, business development, performance and strategy. Currently balancing private investment, coaching and advisory work. Brent maintains active interests in international development and political-economy; regenerative economics and ethical finance are a particular focus.
Dr Claire Achmad
IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR & TRUSTEE
Claire was appointed to the Board of ShelterBox New Zealand Charitable Trust in March 2016, and has previously been Chair from early 2021 until early 2023. She is an international children’s rights law and policy specialist and child rights advocate, and holds a PhD in international children’s rights law. Claire has held roles internationally across government, intergovernmental organisations, and non-government organisations. In 2010 she took up a Rotary Global Grant Scholarship, studying for an Advanced Masters in Public International Law specialising in Peace, Justice and Development. Claire became aware of ShelterBox through her Rotary scholarship, and she is happy to be able to continue to build on this relationship and contribute to ShelterBox’s global mission through her governance role. Claire is Chief Executive of Social Service Providers Aotearoa.
Todd Cain
TREASURER & TRUSTEE
Todd was appointed to the Board of Shelter New Zealand in May 2023 and acts as its Treasurer. Todd is a Chartered Accountant and seasoned finance professional, with extensive experience in working with small medium sized enterprises in the services industry. As a CFO with a strong background in financial analysis, risk management, and strategic planning, Todd is known for his ability to add value through strong controls and process improvements. Todd is committed to helping individuals and organizations grow and achieve long-term success. Todd is currently self-employed providing CFO services to small medium sized enterprises who are ready to move it to the next level but not yet ready to employ a full-time person.
Robyn Walker
DIRECTOR VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT & TRUSTEE
Robyn Walker joined the ShelterBox New Zealand Board in May 2023. With a professional career focused on sales and sales management Robyn brings a wealth of experience in bookkeeping and finance to our Board. Robyn has an enormous passion for volunteering, she believes that volunteering not only supports the growth and success of not for profits, but it also very valuable in growing the skills and knowledge of the individuals that volunteer. She has always been a volunteer, spending time as a St Johns Ambulance driver to being a Chaplain with the Salvation Army.
Rebecca Murray
DIRECTOR ROTARY ENGAGEMENT & TRUSTEE
Rebecca is a Police Officer working in Child Protection as a child evidential interviewer. Rebecca worked on the front line for 13 years before taking up the specialist role and also assists with the local Scene of Crime Officer uplifting fingerprints when time allows.
Rebecca is a keen volunteer – she has been a volunteer fire-fighter for 9 years and joined Rotary in 2013 after being accepted as part of The Rotary Group Study Exchange to Ireland, where she was first introduced to ShelterBox.
Rebecca supports Rotary clubs in Districts 9930, 9970, and 9980.
Peggy Carlaw
DIRECTOR ROTARY ENGAGEMENT & TRUSTEE
Peggy joined the board of ShelterBox New Zealand in November 2021 to support Rotary clubs in Districts 9910, 9920, and 9940. She is a retired entrepreneur, having started and sold several businesses. In 2018, she joined ShelterBoxUSA as an Ambassador, became district coordinator for her Rotary district, and sat on the Ambassador’s council for the US.
Peggy joined Rotary in 2009. She was a member of the Jacksonville-Applegate Rotary Club in Oregon and sat as its President in the 2019-20 Rotary year. She’s currently a member of the Whakatū Rotary Club in Nelson and is a multiple Paul Harris Fellow.
Landon Smith
DIRECTOR ROTARY ENGAGEMENT & TRUSTEE
Landon’s journey in international disaster relief is rooted in his family’s history. His parents met in Africa while providing disaster relief to those affected by the Rwandan genocide through the Salvation Army. For the entirety of his childhood, Landon’s parents continued to serve others through the Salvation Army and raised him with a strong desire to help those in need.
In 2021, Landon discovered ShelterBox through a work colleague. The organisation’s mission to provide essential aid to the most vulnerable during disasters resonated with him, leading him to start volunteering as an ambassador for ShelterBox. In 2022, he was appointed as a Director to the organisation.
Tereska Thornton
SECRETARY
In her full-time employment, Tereska has worked for Education New Zealand since 2014, initially as EA to the CEO, and now as Global Citizens Advisor, and has many years of experience in supporting Boards (both public and private).
Tereska has also supported the Polish Community in Wellington for many years in a volunteer capacity, having served on the Polish Association of New Zealand for two terms, and is currently a member of the SPK committee (the equivalent of the NZ Returned Service Association). She recently received an award from the Polish Government for her services to the Polish community in New Zealand.
LEGAL AND GOVERNANCE
ShelterBox New Zealand is a registered charity with Charity Services; charity registration number CC49035 and is an approved donee organisation for the purposes on the New Zealand Income Tax Act 2007.
ShelterBox’s ultimate decision making authority is its board, which has full legal responsibility for running of the charity. The trustees act as the directors of the organisation. Trustees are appointed in light of their commitment to ShelterBox and their experience and skills which enable them to undertake the responsibilities of trusteeship of a large and complex charity.
The board meets at least four times a year and designated members of the executive team attend these meetings as non-voting observers to advise and inform the board.
ShelterBox recognises the responsibilities placed by law on a charity trustee and provides a full programme of induction training in all appropriate matters. This includes governance and compliance for all new trustees, as well as refresher training for existing trustees in order to keep them up-to-date with current legislation.