Kaumātua, patron and trustees

Arts Access Aotearoa is governed by a board of trustees. Richard Benge is the Executive Director and Victoria Crockford is the Chair.

Kaumātua

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.
Pictured: Te Aturangi Nepia-Clamp onstage welcoming delegates to Ngā Wāhi Auaha Creative Spaces Conference 2024 

Trustees

Some of the trustees at the November 2024 meeting around the table, watch as Richard Benge, Executive Director, presents outgoing trustee Frances Turner with Towards Evening, an artwork by Bettie Huibers  From left: Hone Fletcher, Rebecca McDonald PLY, Jo Burrell and Victoria Crockford. (Chair), Frances and Richard.

Victoria Crockford, Chair, Queenstown: Vic is a Director at Heft Communications and Advisory and the Director of the Coalition to End Women’s Homlessness She also has a Certificate in Conflict Resolution from the International Peace and Security Institute and a Batchelor 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 Janiero (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.

Paige Sullivan, Christchurch: Paige is a Solicitor at the law firm Lane Neave. She is an active member of her community in various capacities. She is an experienced board member, specifically within the health, arts, philanthropy, community and grant making sectors. Paige is the youngest Rotary Club President in New Zealand. She is passionate about the arts sector in New Zealand, particularly in making the arts accessible within our justice system.

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.