TRUSTEES
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Left to right - Tina Ngati (Trustee), Charelle Stevenson (Trustee), Justin Ford-Robertson (Trustee) Wiremu Doherty (Chair), David Glover (Trustee), Karilyn Te Riini (Trustee).
Wiremu Doherty - Chair
Professor Wiremu Doherty is the Chief Executive at Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi. Prior to this appointment, he was Deputy Chief Executive Academic Provost (3 years),Executive Dean (3 years) and Head of School (1 year).
Wiremu is the Chair of Ngā Kaitūhono, the Body established by New Zealand Qualifications Authority to ensure Māori content is used appropriately. He is a former Director on Te Uru Taumata for Tūhoe and former Chairman of Manawaru Tribal. He is the past president of Te Akatea, the National body representing Māori Principals and Deputy Principals, and within this capacity has worked with several Education Ministers and Secretary of Education on numerous initiatives.
His whakapapa connections are Tūhoe and Ngāti Awa and he is an active participant in governance, iwi strategic and development issues. Wiremu has been a valued member of the leadership team at Awanuiārangi since 2009 and has held various executive roles. As Chief Executive, Wiremu has a portfolio of leading an organisation that has three main locations (Whakatāne, Tāmaki, Te Tai Tokerau) with a reach across Aotearoa of students from Level 1 to PhD programmes.
Tina Ngatai
Charelle Stevenson
Owner / Operator of Peppers Building Supplies, responsible for all Communication, Marketing & HR. As a Buildlink Group Shareholder Charelle is part of the annual review of the Financial reports and national business plan strategy. Holding a certificate in Communication Studies - AUT and is in her first year in Bachelor of Business - Massey University.
David Glover
A past CEO and director with strong leadership, marketing and communication skills, including multinational advertising agencies in four countries. Co-founder and Chair of award-winning digital start up and a fellow of Institute of Management & Leadership.
Karilyn Te Riini
Previous co-owner of a small silviculture business with strong negotiations contracting works with Forestry Managers. Member of IOD, IOD Director Training, and holds a degree in applied management and strategic management.
Justin Ford-Robertson
Justin has considerable global experience focussed on sustainable land use and energy systems, climate change, and responsible supply chains. He has worked with numerous organisations in NZ and overseas, including academic research, commercial consulting and government advisory services. Justin recently returned to NZ following a few years working to reduce deforestation and exploitation in SE Asia. He is currently enjoying having more time to work on his off-grid property near Opotiki.
OUR TEAM
General Manager Strategy - Karl Gradon

General Manager Operations - Ian Morton
Ian was employed by Bay of Plenty Regional Council (BOPRC) as the Science and Strategy Manager, responsibilities include (i) delivery of the council Freshwater outcome (leveraging teams across council) and (ii) support economic development opportunities across BOP between 2012 and 2018.
Ian is a professional programme manager with over 20 years of project, risk and programme management experience, working in various sectors from defence, telecommunication and more recently local government.
Ian has a Bachelor of Science (Hons) from Napier university (Edinburgh), he enjoys sea fishing, mountain biking and golf. Ian lives with his wife and eight year old son in Ōhope.
Manager Workforce Development - Barbara MacLennan
Barbara has management experience in local and central government, community organisations and the private sector. She specialises in cross-sector collaboration to achieve results around community-led aspirations and plans at local and regional levels. She’s been actively involved in the Ōpōtiki Harbour Development project for over a decade, and helped catalyse Eastern Bay’s focus on workforce as a key enabler of inclusive growth and development.
Barbara leads Toi EDA’s Workforce Development Programme. This supports locally-led and regional cross sector innovation to address barriers to workforce participation, and create new pathways into good Eastern Bay jobs and careers.
Barbara has an MA in social policy.
Manager Te Ara Huringa o Pupuwharau - Andrew Watson
Andrew is Facilities Manager for our driver-operator training centre based in Kawerau and serving the wider Eastern Bay of Plenty.
With a wide-ranging background in management, IT, education and road safety, he enjoys the role of managing the facility and working alongside the community to provide relevant, industry led training opportunities across the region. He's excited to be involved in the growth of the logistics and transport industries across the Eastern Bay of Plenty by helping locals to acquire the skills needed to work in the industry.
Andrew holds an NZIM Diploma in Management.
Office Coordinator - Lisa Baty
Lisa has a sound history of office management at an executive level. Previous roles include Executive Assistant, Operation Manager, Office and Events Coordination. Lisa has a diverse range of skills and brings a fresh and enthusiastic personality to the team.