Board of Governance
Kia ora Koutou
My name is Paul Grundy. My wife and I have lived in Hawkes Bay for 27 years. Our three daughters who grew up here are all living away from home now, two in London and one in Christchurch.
I'm very pleased to be given the opportunity to take on the role of Chair for Volunteering Hawkes Bay. I've been part of this Board since the start of 2025.
I'm enjoying working with a Board team with diverse skills and experiences. Our Operations team are skilled and highly motivated.
My background is education; I was involved in Primary and Special education for 40 years, and retired from my work as a Principal in 2017. As a Principal for 26 years, I've been a member of Boards of Trustees, so have a sound understanding of governance. In my semi retirement I've been self employed as a gardener. This work is now part time, so I have the opportunity to take on more voluntary work.
I was part of the Napier Foodbank Board for two years prior to taking on the trustee role with Volunteering Hawkes Bay. Recently, I have started working as a volunteer with Predator Free Taradale. I'm hoping that this will extend to working with other conservation groups in Hawkes Bay.
The work of our Board is to support and promote volunteers and voluntary organisations in their important mahi in Hawkes Bay. We do this through supporting the work of our Operations team in providing information, training and referral service to volunteers and voluntary groups.
I've been part of some of the professional development our team offers and have seen the real value of volunteers working with others doing similar work in our community. The celebration of volunteering and networking is a crucial part of our team's work. We value the work of these volunteers and the difference they make.
PGrad Arts Mgmt, LTCL, Dip PA
Following her childhood passion in Hawke’s Bay, Margot trained professionally in dance drama with a lifetime of contribution to the Performing Arts amidst senior leadership roles in the retail financial services, education, tourism and Human Resources sectors. Largely self-employed, Margot worked successfully as a facilitator/consultant across Australasia throughout her career prior to returning home with her husband.
As an avid volunteer contributing to numerous organisations over decades, she has undertaken governance roles in NFP Arts and Culture and Social Services organizations for regional and national organizations across Aotearoa New Zealand. Now semi-retired, Margot works as a celebrant, loves being ‘Granny’ to family across the North Island and contributing through her numerous volunteer roles supporting people and communities to achieve their goals and dreams. Kia ora!
Courtney is proud to be Hawkes Bay born and bred, she grew up at her family home in Greenmeadows and has just bought a house with her fiancé and two kids - Norman the black labrador and Jane the cat – here in Napier. Courtney’s excited to be starting her volunteering journey by supporting an organisation that promotes volunteering and community engagement around the bay.
Courtney has 10 years’ experience as an accountant working predominantly in business advisory for various CA firms, however, has had valuable experience along the way working in commercial environments mainly in the horticultural sector. Her current role where she has been for six years and worked her way up to business advisory manager for BDO Hawkes Bay has given her the opportunities to broaden her skillset significantly which she can then use to help the community through Volunteering Hawkes Bay.
Barbara has a background in education in classroom, administrative and leadership roles both in New Zealand and Great Britain.
More recently she has managed programmes for New Zealand Red Cross and was employed as a consultant for Careers New Zealand, where she had responsibility for the development of programmes and working strategically with school leadership to implement these. She also led staff professional development for other consultants.
Now retired, she is not only involved with Volunteering Hawkes Bay but also serves on the New Zealand Red Cross East Coast Area Council and is an active member for Hawke's Bay Heritage Trails and Historic Places Hawke's Bay committees.
I joined the board in 2024 and am looking forward to contributing to the valuable work that Volunteering Hawke’s Bay does in the community.
I have lived in Hawke’s Bay since 2010 when my husband and I moved to the Bay to take over at a small organic winery, which we recently sold. At the winery, I managed business development, sales and marketing.
I am also a qualified lawyer in New Zealand and the U.K.. Prior to moving to Hawke’s Bay, I spent 10 years working in finance law in London, and prior to that worked at firms in Auckland and Dunedin where I gained a wide range of legal experience. Alongside that I have been involved with other not-for profit boards, offering legal and business expertise.
Although a recent addition to the VHB team I was introduced to the organisation and its active support of the HB community during Cyclone Gabrielle. As a volunteer it was great to witness the organisation and co-ordination of the volunteer communities in the region.
Volunteer work has always been of interest with previous contributions having been in the Meals on Wheels, and Cranford Hospice organisations. The opportunity to join the board allows me to expand my connections and experience in the volunteer space which I am looking forward to.
Professionally I have worked in banking and finance for over 25 years, currently working for ANZ in their HB Mobile Mortgage Manager team following several years as a self-employed mortgage broker. Working with ANZ also allows opportunities to support volunteer efforts with all employees having a day off each year to work in the community as volunteers, as well as a Staff Foundation for regular staff donations to be put to good use in our communities.
Outside of work and family life, I have also enjoyed active participation in community theatre with Napier Operatic Society both on and off stage since my late teens. This is a fantastic escape from the day to day, where I get to pursue those passions alongside people of all ages, and from all walks of life, including many who are also very actively involved in our communities and volunteer work.
With over 15 years of dedicated volunteer service, I have passionately contributed to various organizations and groups, including the Multicultural Association, Hastings Sikh Temple, Community Organisation Grant Scheme(COGS), Napier Creative Arts Funding Committee, Hawke's Bay Civil Defence Volunteer, Hawke's Bay Settlement Forum, and as a Justice of the Peace. Currently, I am the Treasurer of the Raureka School Board, a member of the Hawke's Bay Community Organisation Grant Scheme (COGS), Chair of Akaal Riders NZ, the Singh Sports and Cultural Club, and part of the HDC Multicultural Advisory Group. As President of the Multicultural Association, I led the COVID-19 welfare response for ethnic communities and later, as a volunteer, played a significant role in the cyclone response by delivering hundreds of hot meals.
I have been raising funds for the Cancer Society for the past 11 years and was an ANZ Bank Daffodil Day Ambassador in 2024, a cause very close to my heart as a cancer survivor myself. As a representative of Vapefree Kids NZ, I am highly involved in protecting our youth from the dangers of vaping. Additionally, I organize blood donation drives for ethnic communities in Hawke's Bay twice a year and Punjabi Language Week events in Hastings and Napier. Helping people brings me immense happiness and fuels my passion for volunteering.
I am honoured to have received the COVID-19 Prime Minister's Recognition Award, the Hastings District Council Civic Award, and the Kiwibank Local Hero Award as part of the New Zealander of the Year honours. As the Māori proverb says, "Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini" – My success is not mine alone, but it is the strength of many.
Professionally I work for ANZ Bank as a Business Lending Specialist, with over 12 year’s experience in the financial industry in NZ since moving here in 2010. I live in Hastings with my wife and two children, along with our dog and cat.
Joining VHB as a board member is a great honour, and I look forward to contributing to the vision of Valued, Supported, and Connected Volunteers.