Adrienne has been in local government for over two decades in the wider Wellington region. She is currently Deputy Council Chair for the Greater Wellington Regional Council and is a former Mayor of South Wairarapa District for four terms, during which she was also the Wellington Region representative to Local Government New Zealand National Council. Adrienne owns a sheep and beef farm and has extensive committee and governance experience including as Chair of the Wairarapa Moana Governance Committee and the Wairarapa Engineering Lifelines Association. 

Shamia (Te Āti Awa Nui Tonu, Taranaki, Ngāti Ruanui, Ngā Ruahinerangi) provides consultancy, research, advice and relationship management services including to Hikoi mo te Tiriti, KidsCan NZ, Oranga Tamariki and Hutt City Council. Her governance experience includes serving as Deputy Chair at Hutt Valley Health Māori Partnership Board and as Co-Chair of Hato Paora College Board of Trustees. Shamia has an extensive background in social policy research and is currently studying for a Masters in Indigenous Development at Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi. 

Maleeha Ahmad has a background in physiotherapy, is a professional interpreter, and a passionate community advocate with experience across India, Pakistan, and Aotearoa New Zealand. She currently works with Refugee Trauma Recovery as a Therapist. Since settling in New Zealand, Maleeha has been actively involved with the New Zealand Red Cross, councils, ChangeMakers Resettlement Forum, schools, Citizens Advice Bureau, and environmental initiatives. She also leads a Women's Friendship Project that fosters connections between newly arrived and locally settled women, and organises annual fundraisers in support of breast cancer awareness. Maleeha serves in the Women’s Auxiliary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community (Lajna Ima’illah) and is currently the Assistant General Secretary for Lajna Ima’illah New Zealand.    

Asher is experienced in communications and engagement across central and local government, and has held roles at the Commerce Commission, Wellington City Council, NZ Transport Agency, Pharmac, Health NZ, Department of Internal Affairs, Capital & Coast DHB and the Walking Access Commission. Asher is currently the Co-Chair of the Wellington Conservation Board, Independent Chair at Toi Mahara Joint Monitoring Group, an arts sector oversight body, and on the steering group for Predator Free Kāpiti Coast. Previously he was a Board Member with the Kāpiti Coast Chamber of Commerce and Deputy Chair, Cycleways, Walkways and Bridleways Advisory Group with the Kāpiti Coast District Council. Asher currently volunteers with Volunteer Kāpiti's Professional Skillsbank.

Sara has government and NGO sector experience with a background in advisory and system improvement roles, including her current role at the Ministry for Ethnic Communities. She has held previous community investment advisory roles at Tertiary Education Commission, Ministry of Social Development, New Zealand Red Cross, the Drug Foundation and Ministry of Civil Defence. She chaired her local Community Centre for over five years, has been Chair of Greater Wellington Neighbourhood Support Trust since 2021, and holds other independent and ministerially appointed governance roles.   

Andrew is General Manager, Support Services, at the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services’ Association. Prior to this, Andrew was in the New Zealand Defence Force, where he served seven times on operations from 2001 to 2020, including three tours of duty to Afghanistan. Andrew was appointed Senior National Officer on four occasions, working closely with cross-agency partners to achieve government objectives. He served as Head of the New Zealand Defence College from 2020 to 2022 and Chief of Staff (Deputy CPO) to the Chief People Officer in 2023. Andrew is Vice President of the Wellington Tramping & Mountaineering Club and a member of the New Zealand Alpine Club. His governance roles include Deputy Presiding Member of Wellington Girls' College, Trustee and Director of Hōhepa Homes Trust Board, and Chair of Hōhepa Wellington Regional Board.

Maria Mitimeti is a proud daughter of Te Moana-a-nui-a-Kiwa and of Niuean, Tongan, and Fijian heritage. She is Principal Advisor, Tagata o le Moana, at Matatū Aotearoa, Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand, where she leads work to elevate and strengthen Pacific perspectives and leadership within the teaching profession. Maria’s community governance experience includes Chair of the Wellington City Council Pacific Advisory Group, Deputy Chair of Niue Moui Olaola Inc., and a Board Member for Skylight Trust and Wellington Homeless Women’s Trust.