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 

Patron

Dame Miranda Harcourt ONZM, Wellington: A leading New Zealand actor, Miranda Harcourt has worked with the Deaf community. She has also worked in the drama-therapeutic field with physically and intellectually disabled people. In addition, she has worked with men and women in prisons throughout New Zealand.

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 most recently was the Chief Executive Officer for Community Housing Aotearoa-Ngā Wharerau o Aotearoa, where she led a team of eight to deliver peak body services, conduct research and engage with government ministers. 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 Manager, Strategic Integration at ACC’s Health Partnerships team. Jo is responsible for the oversight and management of business unit strategy to support the delivery of the scheme to all New Zealanders. 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 currently works for corporate communications agency, SweeneyVesty. Alongside this role, she works with 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. 

Paige Sullivan, Christchurch: a fourth-year Law and Commerce student at the University of Canterbury. Paige 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.