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.
After a corporate career in communications technology, software and services followed by a period in private investment, Brent and his family launched a wine brand from their winemaking operation and home in Wairarapa.
MA (Hons), University of Auckland
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.
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.
She is Past-President of the Waimate Rotary Club and continues to be an active volunteer in the club.
Rebecca supports Rotary clubs in Districts 9930 and 9999.
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.
Outside of ShelterBox, Landon is a Finance and Economics consultant at PriceWaterhouseCoopers, is actively involved in his community and is also a member of the Mount Victoria Rotary club in Wellington.
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.
The New Zealand organisation is volunteer-led.
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.