Trustee Board

• Contact

Alice joined the Trustee Board in late 2023. She began her Playcentre journey in Morrinsville in 2022 with her eldest child, and then later her son in January 2023 – he marked his first visit at just 10 days old.

With over a decade of experience as a Chartered Accountant, Alice presently serves as a part-time Financial Controller at a not-for-profit organisation.

Beyond her professional commitments, she finds joy in attending sessions with her children, forging connections with fellow parents, and witnessing the delightful journey of her children’s growth and learning alongside their peers.

Despite residing in Morrinsville for seven years, it was only through her involvement with Playcentre that Alice truly connected with local people, enriching her sense of community.

• Contact

Heather joined the Trustee Board in November 2021. She is a life member of Māngere Bridge Playcentre, where she and her son began their journey in 2012. Heather was heavily involved in governance as a representative of her rōpū, Te Rito, then joined the NZPF Education team in 2014. Refocusing on her Association in 2016, she joined the Auckland Playcentres Association Governance board and served as President in 2017.  

Heather has a background in Māori Medium education and Māori language revitalisation. In her current role as General Manager of an Education Trust she leads the design and implementation of the Aotearoa New Zealand histories curriculum and supports manawhenua to ensure educational success by Māori, for Māori. She is a total immersion reo Māori teacher, social researcher and Māori language translator. 

Heather’s passion lies with reclaiming te reo Māori for her son and future mokopuna. She credits Playcentre with her accomplishments as a lifelong learner and her confidence as first and best teacher for her son, Cash.  

Te piko o te māhuri, tērā te tipu o te rākau  

Ko Mauao te maunga
Ko Tauranga te Moana
Ko Mataatua te waka
Ko Ngai Te Rangi te iwi
Ko Ngai Tukairangi Te Hapū
Ko Hungahungatoroa te marae
Ko Andrea Webster toku ingoa

I began my Playcentre journey at Massey Playcentre, West Auckland in 2003 with my son who is now 20 years old. I have held various roles including President, Treasurer and Secretary. I was recently appointed to the Playcentre Aotearoa board as a trustee.

I have strong governance experience across a range of sectors including Māori land trusts, incorporated societies, post settlement governance entities, school boards and community organisations. I hold qualifications in teaching and social sciences.

I have expertise in industrial relations, conflict resolution and governance. I have recently been appointed as the new mana whenua representative on the Tourism Bay of Plenty Board of Trustees. Tourism Bay of Plenty is a council-controlled organisation (CCO), which means my appointment has been determined by Tauranga City Council and Western Bay of Plenty District Council and has been endorsed by Te Rangapū Mana Whenua o Tauranga Moana.

I look forward to supporting the future aspirations and strategic direction of Playcentre Aotearoa.

Mauriora
Andrea Webster

‘Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi engari, he toa taki tini’ mauri ora kia tātou.

Ko Hikurangi te maunga
Ko Waiapu te awa
Ko Horouta te waka
Ko Tu Au Au te marae
Ko Ngati Rangi te hapu
Ko Ngāti Porou te iwi
Ko Nat Rose tōku ingoa

Nat Rose joined Te Whānau Tupu Ngātahi o Aotearoa – Playcentre Aotearoa Trustee Board in November 2024. Her Playcentre journey began in 2008 at Waimauku Playcentre in West Auckland with her now 17 year old and 11 year old tamariki. An active member for almost 10 years holding a centre Māori whānau representative role, Kaiwhakahaere for Te Roopu Kia Puāwai Te Akoranga Playcentre Association and working as a Facilitator for the New Zealand Playcentre Federation education team.

Nat is always found engaged in community events, leading and facilitating sustainable educational workshops and is a huge advocate for helping community who are in need. Nat leads the nature team for Ecomatters Environmental Trust. She is currently finishing her Bachelor of Arts in Contemporary Music Performance. A trustee for The Re-Creators, a member of the Kai West Collective and sits at the table of the West Auckland Māori Thought Leadership Collective.

It is a privilege and honour to be here, to serve Te Whānau Tupu Ngātahi o Aotearoa with mana and integrity and to help steer and guide the waka forward for 2025 and beyond. Tēnā koutou katoa.

Joy joined the Trustee Board in November 2025 and brings a wealth of operational and strategic experience to the table. Raised in te ao Māori and fluent in te reo, Joy is a proud Ngāti Kahungunu ki Te Wairoa wahine with a strong background in mātauranga Māori. Her Playcentre journey began at Nūhaka School Playcentre, where all her children attended, alongside kōhanga reo, where she served as licensee.

Joy holds a Bachelor of Arts in Māori and Law and is admitted to the Bar. Over 17 years, she has worked in operational and strategic roles across local and central government and not-for-profit organisations, including eight years working closely with Boards and iwi post-settlement governance entities.

Joy is passionate about parents as first teachers and believes in the strength of community— “it takes a village to raise a child.” Her vision for Playcentre includes embedding a Māori development plan, strengthening the Kaihononga Māori team, normalising te reo Māori in centres and ensuring Playcentre remains a sustainable and viable ECE organisation of choice for parents and whānau.

Sarah joined the Trustee Board in November 2025 and is a passionate advocate for whānau-led learning. She has three young tamariki and currently attends Playcentre with two of them. She brings governance experience as Presiding Member of her primary school board where she champions strategic models that prioritise Te Ao Māori. She also sits on the Life Education Trust Rodney Board as the educator liaison.

With a Health Sciences degree in Health Promotion and a Playcentre ECE Level 4 qualification, Sarah combines academic knowledge with hands-on experience. She is committed to ongoing learning, currently studying Te Reo Māori and expanding her governance expertise.

Sarah’s vision is for Playcentre to flourish and remain accessible to more whānau across Aotearoa. Her approachable, organised and respectful leadership style reflects her deep commitment to creating safe, inclusive spaces for tamariki and their families. She is looking forward to serving on the board as a way of giving back to her Playcentre community as they have been “my village throughout my time with young tamariki.”

Joining the board in November 2025, Matthew brings a lifelong connection to Playcentre to his role as a Trustee. His journey began as a child at Waihopai Playcentre and continues today with his own tamariki—the third generation of his family to embrace Playcentre’s kaupapa.

Matthew’s governance experience spans strategic leadership as a Divisional Manager and service on the Ethics Committee for Survey and Spatial New Zealand. He works closely with boards to shape organisational direction and is known for his collaborative, consensus-driven approach.

Honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi is central to Matthew’s vision for Playcentre Aotearoa. He is committed to embedding Treaty principles into governance and everyday practice, ensuring equity and cultural safety. Matthew believes whānau voices must guide decision-making and is passionate about sustaining Playcentre’s cooperative model for future generations.