Three new members join Ātihau governance team

New faces are bringing fresh perspectives and skills to the Ātihau board table.

The Ātihau-Whanganui Incorporation has welcomed three new members onto the Committee of Management – Sarah Bell, filling the seat recently vacated by Ātihau stalwart Mavis Mullins, and two associate directors, Charles Chadwick and Jason Ashford.

It is important to have the skills and knowledge we need around the Board table to make carefully considered governance decisions,” says Board chair Dr Tiwha Puketapu. “Sarah, Charles and Jason will all bring different perspectives, life experience and knowledge to the kōrero, which will enable us to collectively find the best way forward for the business and our shareholders and whānau.”

Sarah Bell (Te Ātihaunui-ā-Pāpārangi, Ngāti Rangi)

Sarah is already part of the Ātihau whānau, serving as secretary of the Ātihau-Whanganui Farm SubCommittee since 2021, and sitting in an associate director seat on the Board in 2018/19.

She has worked in the agricultural sector for the past 15 years, farming sheep and beef with family on tūpuna lands at Rangiwaea. She currently facilitates greenhouse gas workshops for Beef and Lamb NZ. Sarah has a Bachelor of Science in Physical Geography and postgraduate qualifications in the management of effluent, sustainable nutrient use, and greenhouse gas emissions.

She is the deputy chair for the Ngāti Rangi boards Te Tōtarahoe o Paerangi and Ngā Waihua o Paerangi.

Passionate about the Incorporation, Sarah feels her skills are ideally matched to facing the environmental challenges the sector is up against while ensuring Ātihau farms maintain profitability, enabling the organisation to care for both te taiao and whānau.

Charles Chadwick (Te Ātihaunui-ā-Pāpārangi, Ngāti Rangi)

Finding solutions to overcoming challenges has been a key driver throughout Charles' working life, bolstered by his ability to build relationships and understand differing perspectives.

Currently working for the Ministry for the Environment within the Te Mana o Te Wai team, ensuring that mana whenua are part of the decision-making process at regional council level, Charles previously delivered te ao Māori advice on policy, engagement, strategy and leadership to central government as a consultant with Te Amokura.

He also has considerable experience in the social enterprise and NGO space, helping others to set up successful businesses. This has honed his skills in marketing, budget forecasting and analysis, and strategic decision-making.

Charles holds an MBA from Victoria University Wellington.

Jason Ashford (Te Ātihaunui-ā-Pāpārangi, Te Arawa, Ngāti Tūwharetoa)

After 18 years in the kaimoana industry, Jason brings considerable experience in leveraging revenue streams and opening doors to new markets.

Currently international sales manager for Moana Pacific Fisheries, he is exporting live oysters to China, Russia, USA and the Pacific in ever increasing numbers. He has also led a number of project teams in bringing new products to the marketplace (especially China), with considerable success.

Married with two teenaged children, Jason was also a trustee for Te Whiringa Muka Trust (Whanganui iwi) and a director for Whanganui Iwi Fisheries Ltd.

Never far from the sea, he lists surfing and waka ama as his hobbies, as well as eating!