Phil is a Chartered Accountant with 30 years’ commercial experience, and 20 years of commercial governance experience as a former Director of Lowe Corporation, Apollo Apples, and First Light Foods. He is a former Trustee of the Helicopter Rescue Trust and St Patrick’s School.
Phil is semi-retired and continues to assist businesses with strategy, governance, and finance. In his spare time, he enjoys golf, fishing, spending time in Taupo and supporting his extended family.
A director of Star Food Service, Kurt has a strong focus on process and structure. Completing a Bachelor of Business studies in 2014, Kurt is also a negotiator and transaction specialist, with empathy and understanding towards people from all walks of life.
Away from work Kurt has a young family and a keen interest in substance rehabilitation and assisting people who are wanting to change their lives.
A Senior Health Executive with over 20 years as a CEO across a range of healthcare providers and commissioners including Waikato DHB and Hawke’s Bay DHB. Prior to this Kevin spent 20 years as a public health physician. Kevin has a focus on addressing inequity particularly in relation to the rights of Maori and Pacific peoples.
Kevin is a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors.
John’s career over the last 30 years has included practising as commercial lawyer with Chapman Tripp, focusing on a wide range of capital markets and financing transactions. John brings a wealth of legal, commercial and governance expertise to the WITT Board. He is also a director of the Hawke’s Bay Rugby Union.
In his spare time John enjoys walking, watching sport, and playing scratchy golf.
With 40 years of nursing under her belt, the past 15 of which as Hawke’s Bay DHB’s chief nursing and midwifery officer, Chris McKenna says nursing has definitely been the right career for her. Chris is a fantastic advocate for nursing and the value this role brings to primary and secondary services. In the last three years, Chris has been the Covid 19 Senior Responsible Officer when regional case numbers topped 1,000 daily. This was challenging and evolved into developing intersectoral partnership and particularly with lwi to get the mahi done, which has resulted in over 400,000 Covid vaccinations for the sector.
Chris has four children and 10 grandchildren. In any spare time she has Chris enjoys gardening, walking, and fishing.
Andy is committed to effective governance and brings to the Board strategic planning experience, particularly in the not for profit and social services sectors. With a background in special education and the disability sector, he has an informed understanding of the needs of vulnerable people. After 35 years in education, Andy joined Hohepa spending ten years as General Manager, where he oversaw a number of changes and achievements. Andy is also General Manager of Hawke’s Bay Restorative Justice and has several years’ experience on boards. Until recently, he was on the national association board for Restorative Practice Aotearoa. He has been Chairperson of the WITT Board for six years.
In his leisure time Andy enjoys wood turning, trout fishing, boating and classic cars.
Ewan brings extensive experience and capabilities in financial matters, planning, growth projection and business growth to the Board. He has held both senior management and governance positions and has been a director of commercial companies.
A classic car enthusiast, Ewan spends his spare time indulging his passion for old Fords and hot rods from the 1930s and 40s. He lives with his artist wife on a lifestyle block on the outskirts of Napier and loves gardening, family time with his grandchildren, and holidaying “wherever there’s a car show”.
Bill’s professional life was centred on the insurance industry. Founding HB Insurances Limited in 1984, Bill has had a keen interest in community projects and investing in the region he lives in. Bill has been with WITT since 2019 retiring recently after selling his insurance brokerage firm. He has been Chairman of the Napier Rugby Sub Union since 1990.
John joined the WITT Board in November 2014. From his career in the shipping industry, he developed skills in accounting, management and personnel training. Starting in the 1980’s John worked as a security consultant for 20+years concentrating on many ‘high-risk’ projects, for government agencies, commercial and retail clients.
A Rotarian for more than 33 years he has served in many office bearing roles, including President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
He has been awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship.
John’s hobbies include gardening, wine collecting and appreciation, and extended family. He is also an armchair sports critic, and he hopes to learn and master the art of fly-fishing.
Jemma is a registered social worker at Oranga Tamariki-Ministry for Children. She has extensive experience with voluntary work and was a member of Napier Community Patrol (NACP) for over five years.
Jemma is also an accredited visitor through Age Concern and volunteers with Hawke’s Bay Restorative Justice. As an EIT student in social work, Gemma received an award of excellence from the Rotary Club of Taradale. She enjoys playing netball and squash and spending time with family and friends.