Taranaki Branch

The Taranaki  Emerging Director Award is for Taranaki Branch members in the very early stages of their governance journey. The Taranaki Branch will not be running an Emerging Director Award in 2026. You can still find information about the award and previous 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. 

Find out more      Award recipients

Naomi Harris  CMInstD

Naomi Harris CMInstD is Chair of the Taranaki Branch Committee of the Institute of Director and facilitator working across governance, executive teams, and community leadership.

A Director of Frank & Fearless, supporting organisations to strengthen leadership capability, strategic clarity, and accountability. With a PhD focused on entrepreneurship education and learning, Naomi designs and co-creates experiential leadership and development programmes that create transformative learning experiences for individuals, teams, and communities.

Her governance experience spans business, education, community, and not-for-profit sectors. She previously served as a Board Director and Vice President of Business Development for the Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship and currently sits on a community-based board within the health and mental health sector.

Alongside her governance work, Naomi is a strong connector within the Taranaki business community. She is co-host of The Business Hour on MOST FM and curator of Beyond the Mic events, creating platforms for leaders, directors, and business owners to share real-world experiences, challenges, and opportunities shaping the region.

Frances Boyce  CMInstD

Frances is an experienced Managing Director and Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors with over two decades of leadership in the construction and infrastructure sector. She brings a risk-based governance approach, grounded in strategic planning, compliance and organisational culture development, with a strong focus on health, safety, and environmental stewardship.

She has been actively engaged with private enterprise, industry bodies and community trusts to contribute to sector transformation and regional development. Frances is passionate about advancing diversity and culture in the construction and infrastructure sector.

Frances is currently Chair of BeSafe Taranaki and a Trustee of Building Wellness Taranaki W’akamaiangi and was accepted into the 2025 IOD Mentoring for Diversity programme. She holds a Bachelor of Architecture, Diploma in Workplace Health & Safety Management and is a Professional Member of the NZ Institute of Safety Management.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.