Kaumātua, Patron and trustees

Te Aturangi Nepia-Clamp, Tairawhiti: of Ngāti Ruapani, Ngāti Porou, Rongowhakaata, Kahungunu and English descent. He has more than 40 years’ experience in promoting and delivering art projects, pioneering new thinking particularly in Māori art in public places, and making art available for all. Te Aturangi is a master carver, sculptor, and waka hourua builder and navigator. Among his many achievements, he co-ordinated the Waka Project for the official millennium dawn ceremony at Tairawhiti. He is also a cultural arts consultant with a deep understanding of Māori tikanga. He was an Arts Access Aotearoa trustee from 2017 to 2024.

Her Excellency, The Right Honourable Dame Cindy Kiro, GNZM, QSO, Governor-General of New Zealand (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Kahu and British descent), has a longstanding commitment to social equity and has worked extensively to support under-represented communities. Her dedication to inclusion and accessibility aligns with the values of Arts Access Aotearoa. She has held leadership roles in academia, public health and social development, advocating for the rights of children, young people and marginalised communities. As Patron, she supports the organisation's vision of a society where all people in Aotearoa can access and participate in the arts.

Victoria Crockford, Chair, Queenstown: Vic is a Director at Heft Communications and Advisory and the Director of the Coalition to End Women’s Homelessness. She also has a Certificate in Conflict Resolution from the International Peace and Security Institute and a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in International Relations from Victoria University. Her lifetime love of the arts includes dance, theatre, choir, and the screen sector. Vic has Retinitis Pigmentosa, a progressive degenerative eye condition, and brings this perspective to the governance table.

Jo Burrell, Wellington: Of Ngāti Pahauwera descent, Jo is the System Design Lead at ACC. With more than 25 years’ experience in the health sector, Jo has comprehensive insight into the barriers impacting access, and champions connected leadership to solve complex organisational and social problems. She is a proficient operational leader with years of experience in managing change, budgets, resources and crisis (COVID-19) whilst still maintaining a people-centric leadership style. She has a Master Advanced Leadership Practice (distinction) from Massey University.

Hone Fletcher, Hawke's Bay: Of Ngāti Kahu, Te Paatu ki Kauhanga, Ngāpuhi and Ngāti Rehia descent, Hone is the Principal Advisor, Ropu Toi Ora for Ara Poutama Aotearoa. The recipient with colleague Lawrence Ereatara of the Arts Access Accolade 2021, Hone started working at Hawke’s Bay Regional Prison in 2015 after a career in education, counselling, addiction and mental health services. He's also spent more than 40 years as a professional musician.

Rebecca McDonald PLY, Auckland: Rebecca is a communications consultant with a background in public relations and writing. She is an Account Director at All is for All, a disability-led social change and communications agency focused on creating accessible communications and supporting businesses to make their offerings more inclusive of disabled people. Rebecca is a Paralympian and has represented New Zealand in swimming at the Paralympics in London (2012) and Rio de Janeiro (2016) where she won a bronze medal in the women's S7 100m backstroke. She was selected for the NZ Olympic Committee’s Wāhine Toa programme in 2023 - a programme that supports selected athletes to transition from sport performance to leadership roles. Rebecca is also a board member for the Sport Integrity Commission - Te Kahu Raunui.

Dr Samuele Paolo De Stefani, Wellington: A social scientist and museum professional with extensive experience in audience research and programme evaluation. The Head of Audience Insights at Te Papa Tongarewa, Samuele has worked with cultural organisations such as the New Zealand Portrait Gallery and the Performance Arcade. He holds a PhD in Museum and Heritage Studies, a Bachelor of Commerce in Economics and Accounting/Management, and a Master's degree in Management of Arts and Cultural Heritage. He is passionate about making cultural activities accessible to all.

Robyn Scott, Wellington: Robyn led the J R McKenzie Trust as Executive Director for eight years and has extensive leadership experience in the philanthropic, government and community sectors. A respected thought leader, she has driven sector change through initiatives such as participatory grantmaking and has co-authored The Philanthropic Landscape – Shifting Culture and Power through Mana Enhancing Partnerships. Robyn is a former Chief Executive of Philanthropy New Zealand and Age Concern NZ, and has held several Ministerial advisory and governance roles. She began her career as a teacher, including as Head of Music at Raroa Intermediate, and holds an LTCL in the Teaching of Speech and Drama.