Our story

ATe Tauihu Community Development Agency is iwi-governed and community-led.

We are by the for-purpose sector for the for-purpose sector.

The need for a community development agency was identified by:

• The community engagement process for Te Tauihu Intergenerational Strategy

• A feasibility study in 2021

• Te Tauihu Strengthening the Sector survey 

• A community engagement hui in 2023.

In August 2023, an establishment group was formed from people who had put their hands up to be involved.

The establishment group met monthly to guide the establishment of the agency and to support the work of the working groups.

Membership of the establishment group and working groups was open and we’ve had more people join us since.

In July 2024, the agency became a charitable trust and our inaugural operational board was appointed.

Founding documents

Te Tauihu Community Development Agency Charitable Trust Deed (PDF)

Establishment Charter for Te Tauihu Community Development Agency (PDF)

Our people

Te Tauihu Community Development Agency is a charitable trust with an operational board.

Our trustees

Megan Courtney (Chair)

Megan is a leading advocate and enabler of collaboration and Te Tiriti honouring community-led change. She’s a firm believer in the power of local people and places to do amazing things and loves learning from, and working with communities wanting to make positive change both in Te Tauihu, and beyond.

Nikki Brown (Deputy Chair)

Nikki brings extensive experience in whānau support, community advocacy, and organisational leadership to her role as Deputy Chair. She has worked across various roles in the Marlborough region, including as a Whānau Ora Navigator and Coordinator for the Marlborough Violence Intervention Project. Passionate about child development, neurodiversity, and Te Ao Māori, Nikki is committed to strengthening communities through collaboration and meaningful engagement.

John Gieryn

John has ten years of experience facilitating and designing with community organisations and cultural initiatives across Aotearoa and abroad, including in Mohua/Golden Bay. John blends strategic and creative practices to unlock intuition, collective intelligence and radical expression. He helps people come together to achieve their goals by honouring the gifts that lie in between.

Suzanne Jones

Suzanne is an experienced independent company director and board trustee. She brings a business perspective and risk management capability through multi-sector experience as a governance professional, industry advisor, business owner and healthcare clinician. Suzanne is passionate about collaborative governance and contributing to a Board’s strategic thinking and capacity to make a difference.

Felicity Palmer

Felicity Palmer was born and raised on the unceded land of the Cammeraygal people of the Eora Nation, in Sydney, Australia. Until her move to Te Tauihu in 2021, Felicity lived for twenty years in the USA. Felicity has a wealth of experience in the for-purpose sector, including as Vice President of Development and Communications for Executive Service Corps of Southern California, where she was responsible for fundraising and external communications. She has developed strong governance experience from serving on and chairing boards in both the USA and New Zealand. Felicity holds a Ph.D. in comparative literature from Columbia University. An immigrant twice over, she loves the natural beauty and friendly, down-to-earth people of Te Tauihu. Felicity is deeply committed to anti-racism, equity, and being part of a welcoming and diverse society.

Rachel Sanson

Rachel Sanson is a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors with extensive governance experience across private, public, and for-purpose sectors, specialising in financial management, strategic planning, and transparent decision-making. She has a Master of Commerce from the University of Canterbury. Rachel is passionate about fostering community wellbeing, advancing affordable housing solutions, and driving sustainable development to create lasting benefits for future generations.

Sara Shaughnessy

Sara Shaughnessy is Kaiwhakahaere (Chief Executive) at Hauora Matua Te Tai Aorere (Nelson Bays Primary Health). She has a background in strategic health operational management and leadership in a variety of clinical service delivery settings including primary, secondary, and tertiary. Sara is a registered nurse, who has maintained competencies and worked in many areas of healthcare. She has a Master of Health Science endorsed Health Sciences from Otago University.

Our staff

Leigh Manson (Strategic Lead)

Leigh has led significant regional and national change initiatives including the establishment of Te Tauihu Community Development Agency, and leading the development and national implementation of Advance Care Planning and supporting place-based wellbeing. She brings expertise in strategic leadership, co-design, change facilitation, and community engagement, alongside strong communication, coaching, and problem-solving skills. Leigh has a Masters in Business Administration, Bachelors and Postgraduate law degrees, and is working towards a Masters in Regional Development.

Our Establishment Group Members

Ali Boswijk, Jennifer Beatson, Blair Carpenter, Nick Clarke, Linda Connor, Megan Courtney, Te Haupai Davis, Estella Tawha-Davis, Deborah Delliessi, Kindra Douglas, Lani Evans, Ventura Fitzgerald, Shane Graham, Cathie Gould, Jodie Griffiths, Venus Guy, Bill Huppler, James Hodgson, Chloe Howorth, Suzanne Jones, Andrea Kepes, Theresa Kidd-Foley, Eva Lawrence, Lisa Lawrence, Marie Lindaya, Leigh Manson, Debbie McLean-Janet, Penny Molnar, Gordon Oldfield, Yulia Panfylova, Jude Porteous, Erin Powell, Robin Schiff, Jac Stevenson, Eileen Varley, Liz Webb, Bevan Woodward, Lloyd Tibble