TECT Board of Trustees
TECT is governed by six trustees who are elected by beneficiaries for a 4-year term.
The terms of appointment of trustees are staggered so that three trustees retire every two years. The next election of trustees will be held in 2024. The trustees, acting in accordance with the trust deed, are responsible for ensuring that the trust operates according to its key roles and meets all its regulatory and legal requirements.
Mark Arundel
Chairperson
Mark was elected as a Trustee in July 2018, and was re-elected in November 2022. Mark shares a vision of healthy, thriving communities where health, activity and connectedness are fostered for all. He brings nearly four decades of Community Pharmacy and health-related experience alongside governance and management roles.
Kate Barry-Piceno
Deputy Chairperson
Kate was elected as a Trustee in November 2022. She is a practising Barrister who specialises in resource management law and has considerable experience in local government, administrative and employment law. Kate has served on a number of boards in the past, including Surf Life Saving NZ and NZ Garden and Art Festival Trust, and is currently the Chair of Mount Main Street.
Peter Blackwell
Pete was elected as a Trustee in July 2014, re-elected in July 2018, and re-elected again in 2022. Pete retired as a Detective Sergeant in the NZ Police in 2014 and lives at the Mount with his wife and son, with 3 elder children having left home. Pete's passion is to make this community a better place and as such has worked hard to make a difference.
Don Brash
Don was elected as a Trustee in October 2024. He has had a long career in banking, including as Governor of the Reserve Bank for 14 years, and in politics. He has been a Director or Trustee of a number of companies, and is currently Chairman of a bank and Director of an industrial property company. He is keen to use that experience for the benefit of the people of the Bay of Plenty.
Greg Brownless
Greg was elected as a Trustee in October 2024. He has been patron of local arts and sports organisations, and for many years active in community and musical theatre. Greg is also a trustee of the charitable trust he established. A particular interest is in supporting groups at a grassroots level. His desire is that TECT grows in its ability to assist a thriving community.
Rachael Gemming
Rachael was appointed as a Trustee in September 2022 and re-elected in October 2024. She is a Chartered Accountant and Corporate Tax Specialist, with experience supporting large organisations. Rachael lives in Welcome Bay with her husband and 3 school-aged children. Rachael is passionate about supporting TECT to thrive for the next generation.
Future Directors
Institute of Directors New Zealand
TECT has joined as a host board for The Future Directors® programme through the Institute of Directors New Zealand. The programme is designed for the next generation of directors, where Future Directors are invited to sit on a company’s board and participate in all board matters. However, they are not permitted to vote.
The programme provides people with governance potential and ambition the opportunity to participate on a board. As well as benefitting Future Directors through mentorship, host boards benefit from exposure to diverse talent, ideas, and experiences.
TECT has assigned two Future Directors for 12 months until the TECT AGM in November 2026.
Ben de Farias
Hailing from Te Puke, Ben has a background in health and technology, working as an Audiologist and a business owner in the health sector. As a Future Director on the TECT Community Trust Board, Ben hopes the experience will provide insight into how strategic governance can respond to the needs of our communities.
“I am genuinely blown away by the work TECT does to lead change and enable growth across Tauranga and the Western Bay. I am excited for the opportunity to learn from our experienced trustees and see first-hand how the funding decisions have impact.”
Investment into infrastructure and accessibility within the housing sector is a key focus area he hopes to gain more knowledge in.
Monique Va'ai Matatia
Growing up in Samoa, Monique is now deeply immersed in life here in the Western Bay, as a mum of four and a business owner. With experience as a lawyer, ECE teacher and business owner in the education and diversity space, Monique is passionate about ensuring our communities feel supported and connected.
“I am excited for the opportunity to learn from the high calibre of trustees on the TECT board and experience first-hand how funders can make long term social change to our regions communities.”
Her background and cultural competency will bring a fresh lens to our board and she is looking forward to learning more about TECT’s Priority Communities strategic focus area.
Write to us
The Kollective
DX Box HP40007
Tauranga 3112
Visit us
The Kollective,
145 17th Avenue,
Tauranga, New Zealand
Phone us
07 578 5094
Email us
