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.
Following my childhood passion in Hawke’s Bay, I trained professionally in dance & drama resulting in a lifetime of contribution to the Arts amidst leadership roles in the corporate and NFP sectors. With post graduate qualifications, diplomas and training acquired in New Zealand, Australia and the U.S.A, I worked primarily as a contractor in retail financial services, education, tourism, recruitment and telco prior to moving to volunteer roles since 2018.
In 2008 I undertook my first governance role and have since participated on numerous Boards in the Arts and Social Services for regional and national organizations across Aotearoa.
As an avid volunteer with professional skills returning home with my husband in 2022, I welcomed the opportunity to support the region’s broader volunteering community by joining the Volunteering Hawke’s Bay Board in April 2023 and leading the team as Chair from October 2023 to October 2025. My dedication continues as Secretary alongside commitments to 3 other local NFP groups; the Napier Creative Communities Committee and the national 14+ Dance Foundation, seeing them all as valuable and sometimes essential, in service to others.
Beyond these activities I enjoy e-biking, travel, dragon boating and as a priority, time with friends and family – especially being Granny. Kia ora!
I have 11 years’ experience as an accountant working predominantly in business advisory for various chartered accounting firms. I’ve also had valuable experience along the way working in commercial environments mainly in the horticultural sector. I started in my current role at BDO Hawke’s Bay 7 years ago where I worked my way up to business advisory manager, this role has given me opportunities to broaden my skillset significantly which I have then been able to use to help the community through Volunteering Hawkes Bay.
I am proud to be Hawkes Bay born and bred, I grew up at my family home in Greenmeadows and bought my first house with my fiancé here in Napier in early 2025. We have two fur kids - Norman the black labrador and Jane the cat and are getting married in January 2026. I’m happy to have celebrated one year with Volunteering Hawkes Bay and excited to continue supporting an organisation that promotes volunteering and community engagement around the 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.
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Kia ora koutou, I have lived in Hawke’s Bay since 2010 when my husband and I moved here with our two children, to take over at a small organic winery. I managed business development, logistics, compliance, sales and marketing for the winery. We recently sold the winery, which has given me more time to contribute to the voluntary sector. I am 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 law firms in Auckland and Dunedin where I gained a wide range of legal experience. |
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I joined the board in 2024 and have enjoyed contributing to the important work that Volunteering Hawke’s Bay does in the community. The service it provides in matching volunteers with organisations is invaluable and the training sessions are also very useful. I have been involved with other not-for profit boards both locally and overseas, most recently I was both board member and treasurer for Creative Arts Napier. I am currently volunteering with Sustainable Hawke's Bay, and I am also a member of Predator Free Napier Hill and Lawyers for Climate Action NZ Inc. |
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 volunteer service, I’ve supported groups including the Multicultural Association, Hastings Sikh Temple, COGS, Napier Creative Arts, Civil Defence, Settlement Forum, and served as a Justice of the Peace. I’m Chair of Akaal Riders NZ and Singh Sports Club, and part of HDC’s Multicultural Advisory Group. I led COVID-19 welfare efforts, supported cyclone recovery, Cancer Society fundraiser for 11 years, was a 2024 Daffodil Day Ambassador, represent Vapefree Kids NZ, organize blood drives and Punjabi Language Week. I’m honoured to have received 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 for my service
Professionally I work for ANZ Bank as a Business Lending Specialist, with over 12 years’ 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.