John operates a business turnaround and restructuring consulting company in Paraparaumu Beach. He has been a long-time resident on the Kāpiti Coast, attending secondary school at Kāpiti College and obtaining his first full time employment opportunity as an Accountant, after completing his degree at Victoria University, on the Kāpiti Coast.

John is passionate about giving back to the community and encouraging employers and employees to grow together, maximising the opportunities available to them. As a Chartered Accountant, with over 25 years’ experience in public practice and completing his MBA studies on the elements required for a successful business, John provides a good understanding of business and business growth opportunities to employ to the Trust.

Rudy is the Owner/Manager of Pzazz Building, North Wellington and Kāpiti Coast. He has worked within the building industry for over 46 years and has 20 years as a NZ Certified Builder and Licensed Building Practitioner. Rudy also holds his Trade certificate in Carpentry.

Rudy first got involved with Work Ready Kāpiti in 2013 as part of the working group, because he wanted to help local youth obtain full time work and instill a sense of pride in them that in turn drives them to succeed in life.

Rudy has now trained and qualified 22 apprentices during his career and to see all these trades people succeed in their goals gives him great pride.

Monique is an experienced Resource & Environmental Planner and Director of Leith Consulting Ltd - a local land surveying and environmental planning consultancy. She was born in Paraparaumu and grew up in Waikanae, returning to the Coast to start her professional career following her education journey. She cut her teeth at Kāpiti Coast District Council and has since worked on a number of well-known local land development projects including the M2PP and PP2O Expressways, Transmission Gully, Paraparaumu Airport developments, new retirement villages, Transpower's HV Transmission Lines Upgrade, Vodafone's Rural Broadband Roll-out, new early childhood centres, the relocation of Saint Patrick's/Our Lady of Kāpiti School, Coastlands Aquatic Centre, and Kāpiti Island Nature Tours.

She is the Co-Chair of the Kāpiti Chamber of Commerce, linking the Trust to the local business community and local employers. She has lived experience of disability and provides a unique insight into ensuring programme delivery is accessible and enabling rangatahi of all abilities.

Hamish is the Deputy Principal at Ōtaki College and with 21 years in Secondary Education, it is fair to say he has a passion for supporting youth.

Hamish believes that the Kāpiti Work Ready Passport provides a structure that bridges the gap between potential employees and employers. A clear pathway is described through the passport to support a young adult to understand what it means to be work-ready. The Work Ready Kāpiti group has seen many great examples of how the programme is bringing the best out of young adults who are now confident to enter into either voluntary, part-time or full-time employment.

Rawiri has whakapapa affiliations to Ngāti Toa Rangatira and Ngāti Raukawa Ki Te Tonga. He lives in Waikanae and is responsible for the delivery of social outcomes and workforce development within the Te Aranga Alliance in Eastern Porirua. Rawiri has over 15 years of senior executive and governance experience working predominantly in strategy, iwi partnerships, project management and RMA planning.

Rawiri brings a passion for vocational opportunities and community development to the Board. Seeing the growth and development of our youth and connecting to sustainable employment opportunities is what motivates Rawiri.

Ka tu ai ngā rangatahi ki Kapiti, mena he tautoko rātou mai ngā matua.

Julia is the Director at Star People HR & Recruitment - curating a talent pool of star people for businesses on the Kapiti Coast and beyond.

Julia's desire to make the world a better place is reflected in her business purpose; to grow business and employment in the communities we work in.

Julia’s top accomplishments include raising 3 pretty awesome humans, creating a sustainable business, and giving back to the communities she is part of through various projects in sport and her local residence of Reikorangi.

When not helping others to improve the quality of their lives, Julia is happiest in gumboots on the farm, riding horses, motorbikes, skiing in the winter and e-biking to work when she can. Julia also secretly enjoys baking way too much!