About us
Ensuring that Christchurch becomes a smart, world-class contemporary city requires the best public and private thinking, experience and expertise.
Board
Anake Goodall
Chair, Board Member (NZ)
Anake currently Chairs his own Seed The Change | He Kākano Hāpai change-making initiative. He is also an Adjunct Professor at the University of Canterbury’s Ngāi Tahu Research Centre, and Chairs the Terra Nova Foundation.
Anake’s past roles have included: Director of Meridian Energy, Trustee on the establishment boards of Tē Pā o Rākaihautū and the Environmental Protection Authority, Co-founder and Chair of the Hillary Institute of International Leadership and Chair of the Ākina Foundation, CEO of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, Ngāi Tahu’s Claims Manager during its Treaty settlement process, nurseryman, and meat workers' union delegate. He also is a Harkness Fellow.
Anake is particularly interested in regenerative community initiatives that contribute to the more beautiful world that our hearts know is possible.
Annabel Holland
Deputy Chair, Board Member (NZ)
Annabel Holland is from Ōtautahi. Her career was in architecture, and she also holds an MA (Pols) in biomedical policy. Annabel more recently found new interests through volunteering in the arts sector, and is Chair of NZ Opera. She is also passionate about sports, and believes the opportunities provided through participation and connection, in the arts or through playing a sport, can lead to positive personal and community benefits. Through connecting people and encouraging philanthropy, Annabel believes The Christchurch Foundation provides a key platform from which people’s generosity can strengthen and benefit our unique city and environment.
Graham Dockrill
Board Member (NZ & UK)
Graham is an experienced entrepreneur within the digital and software industry, having founded and grown a number of companies over the past 20 years within the United Kingdom and New Zealand.
His most recent start-up, Citrus Tree Consulting, focuses on assisting Southern Hemisphere companies successfully expand into the Northern Hemisphere market, has found success globally with his clients extending to North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific.
Graham splits his time between Christchurch and London and sits on a number of commercial and not-for-profit boards.
Paul Deavoll
Board Member (NZ)
Paul is currently General Manager Customer and Stakeholder for Orion NZ Ltd, a local electricity distribution business. Previously, Paul spent 20 years within Spark NZ, holding several senior roles including three years as Head of South Island. Paul has a strong engagement with his local community. He is Chairman on the Ronald McDonald House SI Trust Board, and a member of the Canterbury Employers Chamber of Commerce Board. Previously Paul had three years on the NZ Technology Industry Association Board.
Pauline Cotter
Board Member (NZ)
Pauline has been a City Council elect since 2013, representing the Innes ward and is now the Deputy Mayor. She has resided in St Albans since 1987 and raised her four children in an original two-storey villa in St Albans. “From 1990 until 2010 I was a company director with my partner. We owned and operated two home-based businesses; “Strydes Ahead Fun Pants”, and “Aroha Rentals”.
Since becoming an elected member, her focus has been on Councils’ 3 waters programmes and environmental projects and was a member of the regional Bio Diversity Champions group for the past 2 years. She was a Councillor representative on the Christchurch West Melton Zone committee for 6 years, and a member of the Canterbury Museum Trust Board for 5 years. “It is really important to retain strong links with local communities and local projects while retaining a city-wide lens in making good decisions around the Council Table.”
Pauline is a keen gardener and always has a book on the go for relaxation, along with enjoying cycling around Christchurch on her E-bike, especially on our beautiful safe cycleways.
David Tikao
Board Member (NZ)
David is the Investment Manager Endowments at Ngāi Tahu Holdings and a former Executive Director of operations at Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu retirement savings scheme, Whai Rawa Fund Limited. He commenced working for Te Rūnanga Group in October 2011. Prior to joining Whai Rawa, David worked in the finance and banking sectors in London for 20 years, holding positions within RBS/NatWest and HSBC Banks prior to his return to Aotearoa New Zealand.
Since 2012 David has been a Director of Te Poho o Tamatea Ltd, a holdings company of Te Hapū o Ngāti Wheke (Rūnanga) and is a former Trustee and Treasurer of Rāpaki Marae. David is a member of the Leadership Group at Toitū Tahua: Centre for Sustainable Finance and a Grant Panel Member on Waste Minimisation and Plastic Reduction Fund at Ministry for Environment.
In early 2024 David joined the Wealth Fund Secretariat at Squamish Nation, British Columbia. In 2015, David graduated from Massey University with a Master of Business Administration (MBA).
Jonathan Love
Board Member (NZ)
Jonathan Love is an entrepreneur and media professional with a passion for content creation, sponsorship, broadcast and online media.
As the founder of ASN Media, he has led innovative projects and driven strategic initiatives with global brands, government, and industry associations. His expertise lies in bringing people together, whether it's through stakeholder engagement, strategic vision and implementation, or crafting compelling digital content strategies. ASN's work has reached over 60 million people globally, delivering curated content to targeted audiences.
With a diverse background that spans media, sport, music and entrepreneurship, he continues to explore new avenues for creative expression and professional growth, always striving to make a positive impact.
Michael Prentice
Board Member (NZ)
Michael is owner and Director of Thinking Out Loud, a strategic consultancy that works with organisations and brands to help clarify and communicate their story. Michael was formerly Managing Director of the Christchurch office of strategic design consultancy Designworks, and Group Strategic Director for Strategy Design and Advertising. He has extensive managerial and commercial skills and has developed the brand and advertising strategies of some of New Zealand's most recognised brands.
Michael was a member of the former Arts Board of Creative New Zealand, and joined the Arts Council in May 2014 under the Council’s new unitary governance structure. Michael also founded and chaired the trust board of contemporary dance company Black Grace, and is a former director of Auckland performing arts facilities organisation The Edge.
Mariann Matai
IoD Emerging Director Appointee (NZ)
Mariann is originally from Budapest, Hungary, and spent 10 years in London before moving to New Zealand in 2005. Throughout her 25 years in the IT sector Mariann founded and was the director of a number of successful start-ups before joining Catalyst IT, a New Zealand owned and operated software company with a number of international branches across the globe. Mariann is currently the General Manager of the South Island operation of Catalyst IT in New Zealand. In her more recent governance roles Mariann served on the board of the Christchurch Collective for the Homeless and is on the board of the Canterbury Tech Cluster.
Mariann is a Chartered Director at the Institute of Directors New Zealand and also one of the recipients of the IoD's Emerging Directors' Award 2022 which enabled her to join the Board of the Christchurch Foundation as an Ex-officio Trustee.
Mariann is an advocate for Planet Earth and all creatures living on it. She's passionate about restoring the balance of our ecosystems in Canterbury and beyond for current and future generations to enjoy.
Stew Whitehead
Chair (UK)
Stew Whitehead is a kiwi expat, who grew up on a farm in rural Canterbury and subsequently went to school and University in Ōtautahi Christchurch, where he studied law and commerce. He now works for New Zealand based company, Oritain, in its London based office as Chief of Staff. He is a proud and passionate advocate for Ōtautahi, especially as it emerges as a resilient and modern world class city in light of many adversities the city and its people have faced.
Karen Pflug
Board Member (UK)
Karen moved from northern England to New Zealand to begin her working life. While in Ōtautahi Christchurch both her and her husband became kiwi citizens. Her career has primarily been in innovation and design, working for some of the biggest brands on the planet around the world. She returned to the UK and is the Chief Sustainability Officer at Ingka Group, a global data insight and business intelligence agency that is owned by the founders of IKEA. Karen lives in the Surrey Hills with her husband and two children. They look forward to bringing the kids to Christchurch in the near future.
Sam Martin
Board Member (UK)
Sam is a kiwi who was educated in Ōtautahi Christchurch, both for high school and university. He describes his time in the city as his “formative” years. Sam is co-owner of the distinguished landscape architectural practice Exterior Architecture Ltd who work across the UK and Europe working on the design of large-scale urban developments, town centre renewal and master planning. The company employs several kiwis. Sam lives in London with his wife and one of their children. Their eldest son is studying in Dunedin at the University of Otago and their eldest daughter is finishing Year 13 at school in Ōtautahi Christchurch.
Ambassadors
Humphry Rolleston
Ambassador
Humphry is a Christchurch based businessman. His family company Asset Management Ltd owns businesses involved in the Security, Hydraulics, Tourism, Manufacturing and disruptive technology sectors. He is a fellow of the NZ Institute of Directors and the NZ Institute of Management.
Humphry was the founding chair of The Christchurch Foundation and remains involved in his capacity as an Ambassador. He is particularly passionate about education and leadership. As such is heavily involved in our Alexandra Shackleton project.
Andrew Ellis
Ambassador
Andy is a Cantabrian growing up in Christchurch playing rugby for the Crusaders in Super Rugby, Canterbury in provincial rugby and the All Blacks, more recently he finished his second season with Rugby United New-York in the United States as scrumhalf.
Before Andy Ellis was an All Black, he was a landscape architecture student at Lincoln University. He put his degree on hold to play professional rugby but did gardening work on the side. He has never lost his passion for gardening and the environment. He has even competed in the Ellerslie International Flower Show and Singapore Garden Festival. He has a passion for ecology and native biodiversity and his parents and grandparents are horticulturists. Andy wrote a book “Kiwi Back Yard” with his friend and fellow landscape architect Danny Kamo, celebrating their love of the outdoors.
Andy is the Ambassador for the Green Philanthropy Fund but is also passionate about our work with sport as a means to address social issues.
Eli Matthewson
Ambassador
Eli Matthewson the Ambassador of the PRIDE Endowment Fund. Eli will be a familiar face to many having been involved with The Court Theatre as a Court Jester and appearing on television screens since 2013. He's appeared on Shortland Street, as a panellist on 7 days, and most recently he was the head writer of Have You Been Paying Attention. Eli wrote Golden Boy, and hosts an (almost) weekly podcast, The Male Gayz, with friend Chris Parker.
Eli is a leading voice in the modern New Zealand comedy scene and has earned accolades for his work nationally and globally. In 2021 he won the Fred Award for Best Show at the NZ International Comedy Festival.
Growing up gay in Christchurch was at times challenging for Eli. He hopes that through his ambassadorship that he can help support others in the queer community here to thrive.
Gemma McCaw
Ambassador
Gemma McCaw is the Ambassador for the Women in Sport Fund. Gemma represented New Zealand in Hockey at three Olympic Games and is a passionate advocate for the benefits of sport and active recreation.
McCaw, a mother of two young girls, said she was excited to be involved in the initiative that will help foster strong supportive relationships for women and girls involved in sport.
Gemma has a business working with women and girls to grow confidence and aspiration.
Hon. Lianne Dalziel
Ambassador
Lianne is the Ambassador of our Kate Sheppard Women's fund.
Lianne was the Mayor of Christchurch for three terms and was elected in 2013 after serving for 23 years in the New Zealand Parliament where she held Ministerial roles.
Lianne has previously served as the Chair of the Canterbury Mayoral Forum, Chair of the Canterbury Joint Committee on Civil Defence and Emergency Management and as a member of Local Government New Zealand’s National Council.
Advocating for ethnic communities, and women are two areas of passion for Lianne. She was also the founder of The Christchurch Foundation in her role as Mayor of Christchurch and was a NZ board member until 2023.
Mike McRoberts
Ambassador
Mike co-anchors TV3's flagship news programme Newshub Live at 6pm and has numerous industry awards for his work. He has played a critical role in sharing the stories of Ōtautahi Christchurch throughout his career.
While a resident of Auckland these days home is Ōtautahi Christchurch, as he grew up in the city and completed his education here.
Mike is the Ambassador of our Earthquake Memorial Fund but is also passionate about many other areas of our work.