Ngā Pou Whakahaere
The Community Connections Board of Trustees
The Board is the legal authority for Community Connections Supported Living Charitable Trust (Community Connections). Board members represent the interests of the organisation and are entrusted to ensure the organisation is soundly managed to achieve its purpose.
Chairperson
Jocelyn Brace
Jocelyn has significant qualifications and experience in education, leadership and organisational development in both the public, private and NGO sectors. She currently works part-time as the People and Development Manager at Consumer NZ, and has a number of volunteering roles on the Kāpiti Coast where she lives.
Ngā Pou Whakahaere
The Community Connections Board
The Board is the legal authority for Community Connections Supported Living Charitable Trust (Community Connections). Board members represent the interests of the organisation and are entrusted to ensure the organisation is soundly managed to achieve its purpose.
Chairperson
Jocelyn Brace
Jocelyn has significant qualifications and experience in education, leadership and organisational development in both the public, private and NGO sectors. She currently works part-time as the People and Development Manager at Consumer NZ as well as a number of volunteering roles on the Kāpiti Coast where she lives.
Ngā Pou Whakahaere
The Community Connections Board
The Board is the legal authority for Community Connections Supported Living Charitable Trust (Community Connections). Board members represent the interests of the organisation and are entrusted to ensure the organisation is soundly managed to achieve its purpose.
Jocelyn has significant qualifications and experience in education, leadership and organisational development in both the public, private and NGO sectors. She currently works part-time as the People and Development Manager at Consumer NZ as well as a number of volunteering roles on the Kāpiti Coast where she lives.
Chairperson
Jocelyn Brace
Board member
Lee Rutene
Lee (Ngāti Porou) was born with cerebral palsy which affects his legs and his eyes. He first got involved with Community Connections as a service user then became a board member and has served for more than 10 years. Lee is very passionate about disability issues, and is committed to helping out where he can.
Board Member
Lee Rutene
Lee (Ngāti Porou) was born with cerebral palsy which affects his legs and his eyes. He first got involved with Community Connections as a service user then became a board member and has served for more than 10 years. Lee is very passionate about disability issues and committed to helping out where he can.
Lee (Ngāti Porou) was born with cerebral palsy which affects his legs and his eyes. He first got involved with Community Connections as a service user then became a board member and has served for more than 10 years. Lee is very passionate about disability issues and committed to helping out where he can.
Board Member
Lee Rutene
Board member
Esther Woodbury
Esther Woodbury (PhD) has been a member of the Community Connections board since 2019 and is delighted to be working collaboratively with her board colleagues. Esther is a Wellington-based (disabled) disability researcher and advisor, currently working as Lead Disability Rights Advisor at Te Kāhui Tika Tāngata Human Rights Commission. She had previously worked in government, tertiary research and the community sector, in research, monitoring, community engagement and advocacy.
Board Member
Esther Woodbury
Esther Woodbury (PhD) has been a member of the Community Connections board since 2019 and is delighted to be working collaboratively with her board colleagues. Esther is a Wellington-based (disabled) disability researcher and advisor, currently working as Lead Disability Rights Advisor at Te Kāhui Tika Tangata Human RightsCommission. She had previously worked for government, tertiary research and the community sector, in research, monitoring, community engagement and advocacy.
Esther Woodbury (PhD) has been a member of the Community Connections board since 2019 and is delighted to be working collaboratively with her board colleagues. Esther is a Wellington-based (disabled) disability researcher and advisor, currently working as Lead Disability Rights Advisor at Te Kāhui Tika Tangata Human RightsCommission. She had previously worked for government, tertiary research and the community sector, in research, monitoring, community engagement and advocacy.
Board Member
Esther Woodbury
Board member
Valerie Smith
Valerie has a disability and is strongly committed to disability rights and to seeing disabled people able to live well and with dignity in the community. From 2013-2018 she enjoyed being a part-time support worker for Community Connections. Valerie is the Chair of Capital Support’s Consumer Advisory Group.
Board Member
Valerie Smith
Valerie has a disability and is strongly committed to disability rights and to seeing disabled people able to live well and with dignity in the community. From 2013-2018 she enjoyed being a part-time support worker for Community Connections. Valerie is the Chair of Capital Support’s Consumer Advisory Group.
Valerie has a disability and is strongly committed to disability rights and to seeing disabled people able to live well and with dignity in the community. From 2013-2018 she enjoyed being a part-time support worker for Community Connections. Valerie is the Chair of Capital Support’s Consumer Advisory Group.
Board Member
Valerie Smith
Board member
Dr Pouroto Ngaropo
Dr. Pouroto Ngaropo is a revered figure among Māori, affiliates to many iwi from Northland, Waikato, Rotorua, Tauranga, Taranaki to Wellington region. He resides humbly at his self-built marae in Matatā, which stands testament to his longstanding commitment to his people of Ngāti Awa.
As a stalwart and champion for the revival of Te Reo Māori and its tikanga, he has received numerous accolades, including the Queen’s Service Medal, MNZM, and an honorary doctorate. He is also recognised as a Tohunga or specialised expert to many.
He has made extensive contributions to Māori media, arts, and education earning him widespread recognition. His enduring legacy lies in his dedication to preserving and promoting the Māori language and culture, inspiring generations to embrace their heritage. We are happy to have him on board as our Pou Tikanga.
Board Member
Dr Pouroto Ngaropo
Dr. Pouroto Ngaropo is a revered figure among Māori, affiliates to many iwi from Northland, Waikato, Rotorua, Tauranga, Taranaki to Wellington region. He resides humbly at his self-built marae in Matatā, which stands testament to his longstanding commitment to his people of Ngāti Awa.
As a stalwart and champion for the revival of Te Reo Māori and its tikanga, he has received numerous accolades, including the Queen’s Service Medal, MNZM, and an honorary doctorate. He is also recognized as a Tohunga or specialized expert to many.
He has made extensive contributions to Māori media, arts, and education earning him widespread recognition. His enduring legacy lies in his dedication to preserving and promoting the Māori language and culture, inspiring generations to embrace their heritage. We are happy to have him on board as our Pou Tikanga.
Dr. Pouroto Ngaropo is a revered figure among Māori, affiliates to many iwi from Northland, Waikato, Rotorua, Tauranga, Taranaki to Wellington region. He resides humbly at his self-built marae in Matatā, which stands testament to his longstanding commitment to his people of Ngāti Awa.
As a stalwart and champion for the revival of Te Reo Māori and its tikanga, he has received numerous accolades, including the Queen’s Service Medal, MNZM, and an honorary doctorate. He is also recognized as a Tohunga or specialized expert to many.
He has made extensive contributions to Māori media, arts, and education earning him widespread recognition. His enduring legacy lies in his dedication to preserving and promoting the Māori language and culture, inspiring generations to embrace their heritage. We are happy to have him on board as our Pou Tikanga.
Board Member
Dr Pouroto Ngaropo
Board member
Ross Pritchard
Ross is a Fellow of the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ) and is currently Chief Financial Officer of JH Whittaker & Sons Ltd (Whittaker’s), the iconic New Zealand family owned company voted New Zealand’s most trusted brand.
Board Member
Ross Pritchard
Ross is a Fellow of the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ) and is currently Chief Financial Officer of JH Whittaker & Sons Ltd (Whittaker’s), the iconic New Zealand family owned company voted New Zealand’s most trusted brand.
Ross is a Fellow of the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ) and is currently Chief Financial Officer of JH Whittaker & Sons Ltd (Whittaker’s), the iconic New Zealand family owned company voted New Zealand’s most trusted brand.
Board Member
Ross Pritchard
Board member
Shirlene Anand
Shirlene works as a Deputy Chief Legal Advisor at the Health & Disability Commissioner. She has been a Community Connections board member since 2020.
Board Member
Shirlene Anand
Shirlene works as a Deputy Chief Legal Advisor at Health & Disability Comissioner. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Proin in lectus ac justo pharetra facilisis. Nulla eu semper justo. Vivamus vel gravida mi. Suspendisse blandit porta leo quis sollicitudin. Aliquam vitae massa aliquet, venenatis lorem sit amet, molestie
Shirlene works as a Deputy Chief Legal Advisor at Health & Disability Comissioner. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Proin in lectus ac justo pharetra facilisis. Nulla eu semper justo. Vivamus vel gravida mi. Suspendisse blandit porta leo quis sollicitudin. Aliquam vitae massa aliquet, venenatis lorem sit amet, molestie
