Improving The Lifelong Outcomes Of Tamariki
Meet The Governance Team
Papakura Kootuitui Trust Board Members
Meet our dedicated Board members, a team committed to making a positive impact in our community.
Dr Abdul Nishar
Chairperson
Abdul Nishar is a results-driven, process-oriented professional with a strong operational mindset and excellent communication skills. He approaches problem-solving with a pragmatic and strategic perspective, consistently delivering practical solutions. Abdul has a unique ability to assess the broader landscape of a business, distilling complex information to identify key issues and opportunities. With a strong commitment to learning and growth, he remains diligent, curious, and an independent thinker throughout his career.
Abdul has held board positions with several not-for-profit organisations, where he has played a pivotal role in shaping their strategic direction and contributing to their overall success. Additionally, he has held senior operational roles within multiple New Zealand-based organisations, consistently delivering exceptional outcomes and fostering strong, mutually beneficial relationships with key stakeholders. His leadership experience spans across both Australia and New Zealand’s technology and utilities sectors, where he has demonstrated his ability to drive business transformation, improve customer outcomes, enhance data and information security, and implement socially responsible initiatives.
With a deep expertise in information technology, digital transformation, strategic development, project governance, and risk management, Abdul brings integrity, energy, and a commitment to the highest ethical standards to the boardroom. He is dedicated to delivering results while upholding the values of honesty and transparency in all his professional endeavours.
Having lived in Northland and the Central North Island, Abdul has now settled in Papakura with his wife and daughter. He is an active member of the local community and enjoys the outdoor lifestyle.
Carol McKenzie-Rex
Board Member
A freelance consultant, with extensive experience and relationships across local government and South Auckland communities. A strategic governance advisor and facilitator of strong partnerships.
With a career spanning the not-for-profit sector and councils, Carol currently advises community-based projects and is a sustainability specialist with a background and training in environmental management.
Dianne Lasenby
Board Member
Dianne has a strong governance background, is currently Chair of Sport Auckland and a board member of Bruce Pulman Park, Chair of the Stars Management Committee and is a local Justice of the Peace, is a member of the Franklin Justice of the Peace council.
Dianne has been CEO of Auckland Netball for a number of years and brings an extensive knowledge of the sport from grassroots to high performance level. Dianne held the role of General Manager of the Stars from December 2017-December 2022.
As a local resident, she enjoys being part of our diverse communities.
Keith Tetzlaff
Board Member
Keith Tetzlaff retired as the Principal of Papakura Central School at the end of 2022 after 6 years in the position. Papakura Central is a member of the Kootuitui ki Papakura cluster and Keith was fully involved in supporting the goals and work of the cluster in collaboration with cluster Principals, Senior Leaders, Kootuitui Trust and whaanau. He has worked in education for his entire working life and spent 30 years as Principal in 3 schools. Keith is a member of the Auckland Airport Rotary Club and currently holds the position of President of the club.
Richard Thornton
BSc., Dip.Ed., Dip.Tchg(Dist)
Board Member
Richard Thornton is the Director and owner of Thornton Education and is an experienced Manager and Educationalist, with a strong Governance, Leadership and Financial background.
Richard has had 10 years in Business Management at the Senior level with companies such as; Commodore Computers, Dick Smith Electronics and The Great Outdoors Company. He has also spent 10 years as a Mathematics teacher/Head of Department, 10 years as a Secondary School Principal, 4 years with the Education Review Office – ERO (Senior Manager Northern Region) and 4 years as the Deputy Chief Executive (Assessment) at NZQA.
Richard is currently on the Manurewa High School Board (the school he was Principal at), in his 3rd Term as a Parent elected member, and is Chair of the Finance Committee. He has just completed his 2 and 3 year term as a member of the Auckland Council (CCO) COMET Board.
Richard was appointed to the Kootuitui (Papakura) Board in 2023 and was raised in Papakura, attending Papakura Central School, Papakura Intermediate and Papakura High School – where his father was Principal for 21 years.
Richard’s background is in Education, Business and Leadership. He has a focus on evidence-based evaluation and works with data in order to monitor success and progress. He has a strong strategic, solution orientated focus to make a difference with his Board Governance expertise.
Tamara Tairakena
Board Member
Tamara is a Mum of 3 tamariki and Nan to 1 moko. Originally from Taranaki, Tamara has now lived in Papakura with her whaanau for the past 24 years. Her passion is community and giving back. She currently sits on the Papakura Kootuitui Trust Board and is Chair of the People and Culture Sub-Committee. Tamara is also the Chairperson on the Mangapikopiko School Board, the primary school that her own tamariki attended. In 2023 Tamara also became a Justice of the Peace.
Tamara has been a volunteer for Kootuitui ki Papakura for 9 years, and has also worked part-time in various roles, her current role being, a Financial Wellbeing Advisor. Previous to this role Tamara was the Community Connector, a role which offered support to whaanau who were impacted by covid-19. While at Kootuitui Tamara has trained in the Westpac Financial Literacy, a money management course, which she has since facilitated for the community for several years now. Tamara has completed a Level 4 certificate in Bi-Cultural Social Services, gaining skills and knowledge that is integral to her mahi here at Kootuitui, serving the diverse cultures that now reside within Papakura.
It is Tamara’s lived experiences that drives her to be committed and passionate in supporting whaanau in the community to invest in themselves. Tamara leads by example to show her own whaanau that with the right support and dedication, positive outcomes can be achieved. Tamara was nominated by her peer’s as Kaimahi of the Year for 2024. A testament to her dedication and willingness to give of her time for the betterment of others, including to her whaanau.
Our Supporters
We benefit from the support of funders, partners and community organisations, and the commitment of the schools’ boards, leaders, teachers and staff.
