Northland Local Advisory Committee - mihi mai rā.
Read more about the members of the Northland Local Advisory Committee.
| MITA HARRIS (Chair) | |
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Mita works for the Ministry for Primary Industries as National Manager Operations for the Kauri Dieback Programme. Previously, he was Director of Māori Heritage at Pouhere Taonga Heritage New Zealand. His governance experience includes Chair of the Northland Conservation Board, Member of the New Zealand Conservation Authority, and Trustee of the Waitangi National Trust Board. Mita has also served on the Northern Rural Fire Committee in the Far North. |
| KAREN JOYCE-PAKI (Deputy Chair) | |
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Karen is Regional Manager for Stats NZ and a member of the Northland Conservation Board. She also serves as Pou Whirinaki for Rangatahi Ora and is a Justice of the Peace and Marriage Celebrant. With 20 years’ public service experience, Karen is committed to improving access to essential services for her community, whānau, hapū and iwi. ‘E waka eke noa – we are all in this together.’ |
| SARAH HOYLE (Member) | |
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Sarah is the Emergency and Corporate Risk Manager for Northland District Health Board. She has 30 years’ experience working in health organisations and coordinating national cross-agency health initiatives. She is the local Chair for Dress for Success. |
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ISOPO SAMU (SAMU) (Member) |
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Samu leads Tokotoko Solutions, providing mentoring and education programmes for youth who have disengaged from education. He has a background in teaching, policing, community development, and business ownership, and has served as a Whangārei District Councillor and on the Child, Youth and Family Safety Panel. In 2022, his company received the Social Impact Award at the Northland Business Excellence Awards. Samu continues to support young people and families to rediscover their potential through education, training and employment. |
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SHEILA TAYLOR (Member) |
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Sheila, of Ngāti Kahu and Ngā Puhi ki Whaingaroa descent, is an independent Te Ao Māori consultant in the public sector. Previously, she was Kaiārahi Kaupapa Māori for Northland Regional Council and has worked for Whangārei District Council, the Fire Service, Waitemata District Health Board and the Ministry of Fisheries. Sheila has also served as Treasurer for community groups including Tai Kotuku Inc, Tai Tokerau Polynesian Canoe Association, Tai Tokerau Touch and the Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust. |
| SARAH BENIKOWSKY (Member) | |
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Sarah has a background in Information Management and Archives and currently works for the Far North District Council. She is a Guardian/Kaitiaki of the Alexander Turnbull Library and has served on the Disability Advisory Group for Whangārei District Council. |
| KATE ALEXANDER (Member) | |
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Kate is the Independent Chair of Delta Produce Co-Op Ltd, Director of Telford Training Farm and Riversedge Ltd. A member of the Institute of Directors and Trustee of Tātai Trust, she has also held governance roles with Ravensdown Ltd, the Open Polytechnic, Northland Rural Support Trust, Federated Farmers Governance Review Panel and Northland Agricultural Forum. |
| KUBI WITTEN-HANNAH, JP (Member) | |
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Kubi has worked in education since 1976 and served as a Career Counsellor for secondary schools since 2004. Now retired from full-time teaching, he works as a relief teacher. Kubi has over 30 years of volunteer firefighting experience, over 40 years as a surf lifesaver, and is a Justice of the Peace and Marriage Celebrant. |
The map below shows the area that the Northland LAC covers
