Taranaki Branch

The Taranaki Branch of the Institute of Directors Emerging Director Award is open to Taranaki Branch members in the very early stages of their governance journey. Applications for 2025 have now closed. Find out more about the award and past recipients below. 

• Are you newly engaged on a directorship path and aspire to enhance your governance pathway?
• Can you demonstrate a commitment to development and a high level of integrity?
• Are you committed to development of your governance pathway?

The focus of this award is to identify executives, managers and directors with potential and to foster the discipline of good governance through the acquisition of technical knowledge in addition to creating opportunities for networking via branch events and functions. 

2024 award recipient

Sarah Mako MInstD

Past recipients

• Jessie Waite (2022)
• Loren Anderson (2021)
• Joe Hanita (2018)

Craig Hattle  BSc (Agric), MBA, CMInstD

Craig is a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors in New Zealand and is currently a member of the IoD National Council and the Taranaki Branch Chair.

He holds a number of governance roles, and currently chairs the boards of Parininihi Ki Waitotora (PKW) Farms Board, Carefirst Medical Group, and Edison Consulting Engineers. He is an independent director of the FBT/Osflo Group, Egmont Seafoods Ltd, and OurCloud Ltd.

With a technical background in agricultural science, Craig holds an MBA and is a certified Program Management Professional. He has many years of experience as a business coach, mentor and facilitator, also giving back via his role as a trustee of the Bishops Action Foundation.  

Craig lives in Oakura with his family and enjoys the lifestyle Taranaki has to offer, checking predator traplines on Taranaki Mounga or chilling at the beach.

Adam Harris  MInstD

Adam describes himself as a serial and often successful business leader, owner, and innovator, with a keen understanding of the value of strategic connections – and an equally ardent aversion to clutter, noise, fluff, and drudgery that gets in the way of our success. Adam is MD of www.ourcloud.nz and leads the consultancy side of the business, which focuses on technology as well as people and executive development and strategy. Adam has worked with CEOs and senior managers providing training, coaching and high-level peer group activities to convert opportunities into successes, drive profit, facilitate change, define company direction, and leverage the network.  Adam is also an EOS Implementer https://www.eosworldwide.com/adam-harris, assisting companies implement this business growth methodology.

Adam has won a number of IoD awards, including Young Director of the Year, Director of the Year, and Non-Executive Director of the Year in the UK. He was co-opted onto the IoD Taranaki Branch Committee in July 2020 and is looking forward to getting involved and bringing new ideas and energy to his role on the local branch.

Adam moved to Taranaki in early 2020 with his wife and two small daughters, who keep him well and truly on his toes.

Rob Facer  MBA, CMInstD

Rob is an accomplished Professional Director, Advisor and CEO, who has extensive experience across a range of industry sectors and organisation types, gained in New Zealand and internationally. He brings a deep understanding and insight into the critical issues of strategy development and execution; the importance of culture and values on organisational performance; and the setting of appropriate governance, compliance, and risk-management frameworks. 

Rob is the Group CEO of GC Group Management Limited, a Taranaki-based family company trading under the Osflo Fertiliser, FBT, and Windy Point Quarry brands. Previously, he held CEO and director-level positions in the education sector, senior executive and director-level roles for international agribusiness organisations both in New Zealand and abroad, and established and ran his own successful agricultural retail distribution business.

Based in Taranaki, Rob is a Mentor with Business Mentors NZ and active locally in governance roles for the community and not-for-profit sector. He is a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors (NZ) and holds an MBA from the University of New England.

Craig Marriott  MInstD

Craig is an independent consultant providing health and safety and risk advice to organisations at senior and strategic levels. With many years’ experience developing and overseeing assurance programmes, he brings a deep understanding of due diligence, health and safety, risk, and enterprise auditing. 

Recognised nationally and internationally as an expert in health and safety, he is interested in the role of governance in setting the culture of organisations to deliver not only safer outcomes, but the greater efficiency, quality, and profitability that also arise from delivering better work. He is a published author and regularly speaks at conferences and events. 

Craig is the Chair of NZ’s Community of Safety Innovation and delivers health and safety governance training for the IoD.

Arun Chaudhari  MInstD, MBA, BCom, BSc (Nautical Sciences)

Arun is the CEO of the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce. Arun was on the board of the Chamber from April 2009 to April 2015 and subsequently the chair until August 2015. His governance experience includes being the chair of the OGST (now EIG or the Energy and Industrial Group), Sacred Heart Girls’ College board and managing director of Elemental Marine.

Having a strong passion for the business community in Taranaki, Arun was a judge for the Business Excellence Awards for 19 years. He is a past President of the New Plymouth Indian Community. Arun is currently on the Taranaki CEO Forum Executive Committee.

Arun’s background is the merchant navy, where he spent 20 years, including six years as a Captain on large oil tankers. He then worked in senior management roles for 16 years in two ports in New Zealand. He is an ex-member of the Chartered Institute of Shipbrokers, London, and a member of the Company of Master Mariners of India. Arun holds a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce from Delhi University and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Massey University.

As CEO of the Chamber of Commerce for the past four years, Arun is committed to the Chamber delivering exceptional service to its members and partners while working closely with the Chamber’s stakeholders, such as the Institute of Directors. Arun is keen to see that IoD members and potential members in Taranaki are able to have opportunities to strive for the highest levels of governance standards.

Hayden Wano  CMInstD

Hayden is affiliated to Taranaki, Te Atiawa, Ngāti Tama, Ngāti Awa Iwi.

Hayden has extensive experience in senior management and over 40 years of health sector experience, including mental health, community services, and medical services.

He is currently Chair Te Hiringa Mahana (Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission), a board member of WISE Trust and Taranaki Chamber of Commerce.

Hayden recently retired after 25 years' service as Chief Executive of Tui Ora Limited, a Taranaki-based Māori development organisation and provider of social and health services.

Hayden has also held an extensive range of governance roles, which include: Chair Initial Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission, Acting Chair of the National Health Board, Chair of the Taranaki District Health Board, Chair of the Health Sponsorship Council, Chair of TSB Community Trust, and Chair of TSB Group Ltd.

Catherine Keenan  MInstD

​ Catherine is a distinguished figure in New Zealand’s pharmacy sector, bringing over 35 years of industry experience, including more than 30 years as a business owner and Managing Director of Vivian Pharmacy in New Plymouth. Under her leadership, Vivian Pharmacy has become a beacon of innovation and excellence, notably winning the Supreme Award at the 2024 TSB Taranaki Business Excellence Awards. The pharmacy was also recognized for its achievements in technology, employee culture, and medium business excellence.

​Catherine’s commitment to advancing pharmacy practice extends beyond her business. She has served as an expert advisor to the Health and Disability Commissioner, providing critical insights into dispensing standards and patient safety. Her governance experience includes a tenure as Vice-President of the Pharmacy Guild of New Zealand, reflecting her dedication to professional leadership and sector-wide improvement.

Guy Roper  MInstD

Guy is a New Plymouth-based professional director and consultant. He was appointed to the Port Nelson board in September 2022.  Previously, he was CEO of Port Taranaki until September 2021 and prior to that held senior executive roles within the New Zealand dairy industry. 

Guy is currently a director of Fisher Funds Management Limited, a leading New Zealand KiwiSaver and Fund Manager. He is a fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.

Jessie Waite  MInstD

Born and bred in Taranaki, Jessie has a real passion for the Primary Sector and its people.  Jessie joined Dairy Trust Taranaki at the end of 2019 as the New Zealand Young Farmers representative. She is the Taranaki Regional Partner for OSPRI NZ and is a member of the New Zealand Young Farmers’ board.

In 2018, Jessie won the New Zealand Young Farmers Excellence Award for her efforts in drought relief for Taranaki farmers and her involvement in the wider sector.  Jessie was the Taranaki IoD Branch Emerging Director in 2022.

Justin Peterson  MInstD

Justin is the CEO of Wells, a leader in electrical, instrumentation, and automation in New Zealand. With over 25 years in the industry, Justin has driven safety, growth, innovation and sustainability, leading numerous improvement initiatives. 

Justin has extensive experience in business management, strategic planning, and community engagement. He is actively involved in organisations such as Taranaki Chamber of Commerce and the BeSafe Taranaki Trust committee, demonstrating his ongoing commitment to the region.

Bronwyn Koroheke  MInstD

Bronwyn is a Chartered Accountant who has held senior executive management positions within several large and complex Māori organisations, providing advice and assisting with financial and strategic matters. She has considerable experience in the health sector and is a director for a wide range of organisations. Bronwyn is of Te Atiawa and Ngāti Maru descent.

Naomi Harris  MInstD

Naomi is a certified holistic life coach, mind-body practitioner, and skilled integrator. With over a decade of experience mentoring business owners and entrepreneurs, she’s helped individuals and businesses navigate pivotal transitions in both their personal lives and business journeys.  As a fractional integrator, Naomi helps businesses build the systems and processes they need to drive sustainable growth, holding teams accountable to ensure that every part of the business works in harmony. 

Sean Maskill  MInstD

Sean is an employment and commercial lawyer at Auld Brewer Mazengarb & McEwen and works with a wide range of clients, including Local Authorities, Crown Entities, large and small employers, and individual employees.

Outside of work, Sean is President of the Taranaki Branch of the New Zealand Law Society, a former President (and life member) of Taranaki Young Professionals, and enjoys reading interesting books and spending time with his young family.