Who's who

Board of Trustees

Raewyn Edwards    (Parent Elect)
Carl Shardlow        (Parent Elect)
Stuart Dunn         (Parent Elect)
Don McKenzie       (Ministerial Appointee)
Clive Lansink        (Ministerial Appointee)
John Puhara         (Ministerial Appointee)
Jane Wells           Acting    Principal
Elaine Gilmour      Staff Representative
Ross Wilson        Co-option

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Board Chairperson:

Raewyn Edwards (Parent Elected Trustee)

Treasurer:

Carl Shardlow (Parent Elected Trustee)


Parent Elected Trustees:

Stuart Dunn                                        


 
MoE Appointed Trustees:  

Clive Lansink

Don McKenzie

John Puhara


Co-opted Trustee:

Ross Wilson


Staff Representative:

Elaine Gilmour


Student Representative:

Raewyn Edwards

My name is Raewyn Edwards. I am a mother of 4 children, three girls who are now parents themselves, and one son, Shaun, who is blind and brain injured. He is now 23 and lives at home. I have 4 grandchildren.

My working career began as a Karitane Nurse, and I have fostered children for about 31 years. Shaun came to me at 12 months, and that kindled my interest in working with blind children, and especially blind with other disabilities.

I have been involved with working with other children who are blind or vision impaired for about 14 years. I worked at a Visual Resource Centre for over 5 years as a Teacher’s Aide, and then I went to Teachers College to train as a teacher. I graduated in 2000.

I was on the executive of Parents of Vision Impaired for about 14 years, with only 18 months off in that time. I was Chair of this committee for 2 years.

I served on the Board of the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind (RNZFB) for a short time, and was on the Vision Education Agency Board for 2 years.

For the last four years, since being elected to the BLENNZ Board of Trustees in 2004, I have worked as the Chair of the Board. Although this role can be very time consuming, I enjoy working with a very capable, enthusiastic and hard working Board to bring about the changes that are needed for all our children.

Carl Shardlow

I joined the BLENNZ board in April this year. 

I am married to Linda and have four great kids aged between 10 and 16 (3 boys, 1 girl).  Over the years we have lived in both provincial NZ as well as in Wellington, and have lived in Aucklandfor the past eight years.  My daughter (Rachel) suffers from congenital nastigmus and has low vision, hence my connection to BLENNZ and appreciation of the frustrations that we, as parents, incur when dealing with some other organisations such as schools etc. 

I am an Accountant having worked in both a Chartered Accountant firm as well as for corporate entities.  Most of my spare time is taken up with my family, and I play both winter and summer soccer.

Stuart Dunn

My name is Stuart Dunn, I’m 38 years of age and have been a parent elected trustee on the BLENNZ board for just over a year.

I am a professional person working as a General Manager for a retail distribution centre based in Wiri, Manukau. I believe that my business knowledge enables me to contribute to the board in the following areas:

• Management
• Finance
• Employment / Personnel
• Health & Safety
• Risk Assessments
• Property / Maintenance
• Fund Raising

I hope to make a difference by promoting a vision of blind and low vision students having an equal right to the same quality of education as their sighted peers. At the same time we need to ensure that we are engaging and retaining the most valuable asset, our teachers and staff, without whom BLENNZ would cease to function.

Clive Lansink

"Clive Lansink, Auckland, age 51.  I have been totally blind since birth, and I was a former pupil of the then Homai school for the blind and also Manurewa High School.
 
I gained a degree in electrical engineering at Auckland University, and then worked in the field of software development and management of computer systems.  More recently I decided on a career change.  I have now qualified as a lawyer.
 
I am appointed to the Board of BLENNZ by the Minister of Education, nominated by the Association of Blind Citizens of New Zealand.  We are a group of blind adults who advocate for better services for blind people.

I believe today's blind children and youth need the influence of positive blind adult role models, and I am pleased to serve on the Board because I believe that blind adults can contribute considerably to the education of these learners." 

Don McKenzie

John Puhara

I have been involved with Tamaki Ngati Kapo for 3 years, although I have been a supporting member since the beginning, contributing a wealth of knowledge and experience. I am 58 years old, have five children, 13 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. I am of Ngati Porou descent, and I have been legally blind all my life. I had good partial sight until an accident in 1997 took my sight away totally. I have since had a Cornea graft that has succeeded in giving me back extremely limited vision of which I am most grateful.

I am an accomplished sportsperson, having represented my region and country at both national and international levels.

My proven practical experience in health care is the result of having worked in the health sector for 23 years.

I am also conversant with committee procedures having held executive positions with Blind Sport New Zealand, Auckland Blind Citizens Assoc. Te Roopu Waiora Trust and various other sporting and community groups.

I have an appreciation and understanding of relevant issues in working with Maori and Pacific Island people, particularly the blind and disabled.

My in-depth knowledge of both government and community services available in the Tamaki area and has enabled me to develop excellent relationships with professionals, clients, and colleagues on all levels.

I have proficient skills in negotiation and diplomacy, have a well-developed comprehension and analytical ability, and am able to manage and maintain high workloads, balance priorities and meet deadlines, demonstrating extreme organisational skills.

I display strong ethical conduct, am adaptable and decisive, energetic and motivational, I’m able to communicate honestly and I’m committed to equal opportunity and fairness in all aspects.

I hold realistic expectations for myself and for those that I am committed to helping.

I support the right to continue to challenge everything, both individually and collectively pertaining to the way in which we progress and develop while still respecting each diverse and rich background, acknowledging that this diversity is one of the most powerful influences that shape the future.

I am able to uphold the dignity, humility, integrity and credibility of the individual while understanding that perception and reality mean that we often see the same things differently. 

Ross Wilson

I have spent most of my working like in education, as a teacher, school principal and working in educational management. Teaching and supporting students with special needs has been a particular interest.
After I retired from my full-time job in Wellington I was asked to provide support to what was then Homai National School for the Blind and Vision Impaired. When my contract ended I was co-opted to the BLENNZ Board assist where appropriate, which I am pleased and privileged to do. There is a great team of other Board members and staff working hard to make a difference for our students.
I am married, live in Milford on the North Shore of Auckland, and have two children and four grandchildren.