Tim Robinson (Bernina Northland) - President
Tim is co-owner and director of Bernina Northland Sewing Centre following 33 years in ICT with Spark NZ/Gen-I, partnering with customers for innovative solutions to enhance business performance. These endeavours, and especially his retail business, have provided an invaluable insight into the issues affecting business.
He was raised in Whangarei and attended WBHS. Currently Secretary of the Kai Iwi Lakes Water-ski Club and former chair of the Board of Trustees for Whangarei Boys High School.
Tim has served the Chamber Board for over 18 years, in position of Director, Vice President and President. Tim brings sound business, governance, and relationship management, in the regional environment, plus board succession and continuity.
Sue Walters (Northland Scaffolding) - Vice President
It is an honour to be part of the Chamber of Commerce board. Northland is lucky to have a talented group of businesspeople working hard for our region’s economy. The networking opportunities that are available through the Chamber are an excellent way to connect with fellow business owners.
Whangarei has always been my home and I Love it Here! I have a genuine passion to see our city and region grow and prosper; to be an exciting and vibrant place to live where there are both traditional and innovative job opportunities and where the community looks after it’s own.
Danny Douglas (Bridge Advisory Limited) - Treasurer
Danny Douglas (Partner at Bridge Advisory Limited) – Treasurer Danny is Northland educated and trained. He has been working for in the accounting industry since 2003.
Prior to being employed as an accountant Danny worked various jobs in different industries.
His experience at Bridge Advisory Limited has helped to develop a keen interest in helping businesses to grow and achieve their goals.
Danny has a special interest in business advisory services and works with business owners from a wide range of Northland business sectors including:
- farming and agriculture,
- construction,
- retailing and wholesaling,
- professional sectors.
Dr Douglas Sutton (Cave Farms Ltd) - Board Member
Former Deputy Vice-Chancellor, renowned author, archaeologist, beef farmer and academic leader Professor Douglas Sutton brings a myriad of skills to the Chamber Board.
He also had an entrepreneurial role in the development of business opportunities centred on academic skills, and in the growth of research revenues based on relationships with corporate and public sector agencies.
Natalie Blandford (Project Apōpō ) - Board Member
Natalie Blandford Managing Director and Senior Project Manager, Project Apōpō.
Natalie is a Northland local with more than 18 years of experience working on construction and infrastructure projects in consultancy, local government and central government organisations. Tribally affiliated to Ngapuhi and Ngai Tahu, Natalie was previously a member of the Hokianga Health Enterprise Trust Board and is now based in Kerikeri leading a team delivering construction project consultancy services for client projects all over Northland. Natalie has had a diverse career to date, including in hospitality management, with military service in the Royal Australian Navy, environmental science and town planning, and construction project management. Natalie founded Project Apōpō to help her clients achieve broader outcomes for their construction sector projects.
Jules Smith (Again ) - Board Member
Jules Smith brings a diverse range of skills to the board. With years of experience in operations, sales, marketing and management she launched WashBar taking it from a simple product idea to an international brand exported to 12 countries. Since selling WashBar her focus has been in the circular economy and waste minimisation space. She currently works part time with Te Whatu Ora in Waste Minimisation, sits on the judging panel for the Jeroen Jongejans Innovate Northland Award, and runs her own business Again, bringing new life to saved clothing and textiles through her handcrafted designs. She has over 10-years’ experience with Business Mentors NZ , she enjoys helping businesses and NGOs find success, either in governance roles or in volunteering her business and creative skills.
Stephen Gibson (Marsden Maritime Holdings Ltd) - Board Member
Stephen is the Business Development Manager at Marsden Maritime Holding Ltd.
A seasoned and results driven Senior Manager with extensive International Marketing experience and an outstanding record of achievement in Business to Business (B2B) and Business to Consumer (B2C) environments.
Experienced in a wide range of industries, markets and disciplines that support the achievement of business and financial objectives. With a track record of success in developing brands, creating effective marketing campaigns and building cutting edge brand imagery and consumer recognition.
Mere Teinaki (Northland Chartered Accountants) - Board Member
Born and raised in Whangārei, Mere has been working in local Accounting practices since 2011. She gained her experience at Gilmore Brown, Catapult Partners and Villa CA where she worked with a wide array of clients, delivering various accounting, budgeting, training and business advisory services. In 2023 Mere set up her own accounting practice Northland Chartered Accountants.
Mere’s previous board experiences include being treasurer for the Northland Sinfonia & Northland Performing Arts Competition Society.
She’s currently on the Board of Trustees for The Sistema Whangarei Trust and is one of seven members of the NZ Xero Partner Advisory Council.
Wayne Tollemache (JTC Consulting) - Board Member
A seasoned international senior executive and experienced professional director I am a strategic thinker by nature and experience. My professional experiences have taken me around the world where I have led significant change at a senior level in multiple countries and cultures.
A professional director and Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors (NZ) I have extensive experience in working with family and privately owned companies improving company performance through robust governance principles.
My international experience has given me a unique ability to work in a diverse cultural environment and maximise complex relationships. This has been recognised and I was selected as a Top Diverse Board-Ready Director for 2021 by the Superdiversity Institute for Law, Policy, and Business.
David Finchett (Northport) - Board Member
David is the Commercial Manager at Northport. He has 30 years experience in senior operations, project and technical roles on high value, safety critical and complex sites. Before joining Northport in 2014, he was the Deputy Director at the Trawsfynydd nuclear power station in Wales. David’s early career was with British Gas and supporting the Royal Navy’s submarine fleet.
David is a Chartered Engineer and Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. He sees enormous potential for greater economic success in Northland, without losing the unique cultural, environmental and social aspects that make it the best region in New Zealand.
Brenda Leeuwenberg (Nomad8) - Board Member
I am a dynamic leader in the digital consultancy space, with a rich background that spans across various sectors and industries. As the CEO of a successful business consultancy, I have worked with businesses throughout New Zealand. My work spans technology and innovation with effective strategy and people management and team development.
I seek to streamline business operations, enhance collaboration, and nurture talent across organisations. I am a recent convert to Northland, having lived in Ruakaka for the past three years. I am here to stay. I bring to the table a wealth of experience in leadership, business, digital, innovation, media, strategy and growth. I would love to use my skills to be part of supporting Northland’s future prosperity and development.
Dirk Mostert (Forsyth Barr) - Board Member
Dirk Mostert is an Investment Advisor with over 30 years of financial markets experience. He spent eight years running his own broking firm in South Africa and has now been with NZ Stockbroker Forsyth Barr for 11 years.
Dirk has been providing financial advice in Whangarei since 2011. He is keen to help Northlanders make better financial decisions by providing tailored advice, taking into account each client’s specific circumstances. Dirk previously served on the Board of Directors at Whangarei Golf Club and can often be found networking at Sherwood Park Golf Club.
Sandeep Diwan (Calders Design and Print) - Board Member
I immigrated from India to New Zealand in 2008. I am a qualified graphic designer, with a five-year master’s degree in fine arts. I am working at Calders Design & Print as a graphic designer cum sales manager. I have a passion for helping and supporting people. I have been a part of Multicultural Whangarei for over ten years and now I am Vice Chairman. I have also been a part of the Northland Indian Association and became Chairperson in 2013 for three consecutive years. I promoted Indian culture and wellbeing in Northland community.
Being an artist, I am closely associated with local Art Galleries. I support northland artists and art groups with their printing.
Along my journey, I have won Volunteering Northland Award, Prof. Kwan Goh Community Service Award & Merit Award from NZ Federation of Multicultural Councils Inc., Wellington.
Jeremy Tauri (Plus Chartered Accountants) - Immediate Past President
If you ask Jeremy Tauri what he likes most about his job, he will say it is helping people. Whether it is helping people understand their accounts or how to achieve success in business, he explains things in simple, plain-English terms.
Jeremy has been an accountant 21 years at Plus Chartered Accountants, in Whangarei. He is a trustee of the Hihiaua cultural centre and writes a column for NZME regional newspapers.
Jeremy grew up in Kaikohe but moved to Whangarei to study when he was 18. He now has young children and enjoys the perspectives on the future that being a parent can offer.
