Board of Trustees
Jo van Leeuwen - Chair Person
Jo is the part time Branch Manager of SF Taranaki – Supporting Families in Mental Illness – affiliated to a national NGO providing support and education services to families and whanau with members receiving specialist mental health care.
A registered nurse for the past 30 years, Jo has been involved in a variety of roles in the mental health sector including front line as well as management, advisory and governance in latter years. She has health, training and management qualifications and runs her own workforce consultancy business when she is not managing SF.
Jo joined WISE Trust two years ago, assisting the organization during a period of change to bring it where it is today. Passionate about the link between housing and people’s health and happiness, Jo is strongly committed to the Taranaki charitable sector and the difference that an organization such as WISE can make to a community.
Bob Mahy - Trustee
Bob is a retired farmer who farmed dairy cows, sheep and beef in Tikorangi for 50 years. He was involved in the dairy industry and was a director of four different dairy companies. These companies were created due to amalgamations. Bob spent the last three years of this time as a Director of Kiwi Dairies, which later merged with the NZ Dairy group to form Fonterra. Bob was elected to the Taranaki Electric Power Board representing the Clifton County and was Chairman when the Board merged with New Plymouth Energy to become Taranaki Energy. Subsequently this entity merged with PowerCo. Bob was closely involved with the setting up of the Taranaki Electricity Trust and has been associated with many other companies and Trusts.
Bob is married with three daughters. He previously used to enjoy flying with the New Plymouth Aero Club. In his younger years he was an active rugby player. He is now a proud Grandfather of ten grandchildren.
Jenni Button - Trustee
With a passion for the growth and prosperity of Taranaki, Jenni Button has worked for more than 20 years in both community and economic development in the region. Her experience in governance and management testify to a commitment for excellence and opportunities for growth.
As a Trustee of the WISE Trust team Jenni brings enthusiasm and commitment as well as business and community development skills. With a strong belief in best practice methodology she offers a governance perspective based on experience and knowledge and an absolute belief in successful win-win outcomes.
“Growing organisations means growing communities and the people who live, work and play in them. WISE has a strong foundation working with the Waitara community and its people. As a Trustee I look forward to being part of a team seeking innovative and creative ideas that will assist and support the Waitara community in new and exciting ways. I have a love of Waitara and it is a joy being a small cog in the wheel of success of WISE Trust, the community of Waitara and the wider Taranaki region”.
Jenni currently owns and operates her own consultancy business and has been in business or growing communities and organisations for most of her working life. She is also involved in governance roles within the region and is currently the president of a regional organisation. Jenni has one daughter and farms with her partner.
Graham Armstrong - Trustee
Graham is a Chartered Accountant who ran his own Chartered Accountancy practice in Waitara for 30 years, after previously working for international firms in Wellington and London. He is now retired. His work involves advising a wide range of small to medium sized businesses and farmers, as well as a large number of community groups.
He is an elder at Knox Presbyterian Church, Waitara, where he is involved in young peoples work, as well as a number of other leadership roles. He enjoys spending time working on his hobby farm (grazing dairy heifers), sea kayaking and is a keen sports follower. Judy and Graham have three children, who all live locally, so are able to enjoy lots of family time. They very much enjoy baby sitting their three granddaughters.
Graeme Orr - Trustee
Graeme has resided and worked in North Taranaki for most of his Life.
Work – Served NZ Police 1966 to 1996. Since Retirement has been involved in the area of Sales with a Security Firm and since 2002 with the Real Estate Industry (Qualified as a Licensed Agent in 2008). Involved as a Director/Trustee of Taunui Retirement Village – Oreti Village (Turangi) – Waitara UFS – and Wise Better Homes since 2008.
Has also been involved in Numerous – Community Organisations.
Family – Married – 3 Adult Sons (All of whom who achieved very well from attending - Waitara Primary to Secondary Schools). Now have 3 Daughters In Law and 6 Grandchildren.
Sport – Walking – Dancing and Swimming.
Wise Better Homes is proud to be Waitara based and there to encourage and support.