Committee members 2022 - 2023
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Belinda Vernon BCom, CMInstD - was co-opted to the Committee in December 2018, and was elected chair at the 2021 AGM. Belinda was deputy chair 2019 - 2021. She brings a range of useful skills from her background in accounting, management, volunteering, not-for-profits and politics. More adept with a spreadsheet than a paintbrush she is handy when it comes to filling in funding applications. She has responsibility for the Friends of Mangawhai Artists and was the leader of the team organising the 2019 Kaipara Art Awards. She is passionate about conservation, open water swimming, the arts and Mangawhai.
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Clare Wells is our committee secretary and brings experience in governance and leadership having held a number of national roles in the public and community sectors. Completing 11 years as Chief Executive of NZ Kindergartens in Wellington before moving to Waipu in 2019, Clare now works as a consultant - mostly in the education sector. She has a keen interest in the arts and enjoys contributing to our creative community. |
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Raewyn Vague MBA - is our new treasurer and is also the co-ordinator of the Mangawhai Artists Workshop Programme. Raewyn recently retired after owning her own company since 2002 and working as a Consultant Health Analyst of the Health System. She has worked for several District Health Boards and the University on a part-time basis over these years. Raewyn moved permanently to Mangawhai in 2004 after owning a caravan here for the previous 7 years. Raewyn's interests include: Tatting, Muka work (flax fibre), Crochet, Wood carving, Quilling, Mosaics, Darjit (sculpting), Silver Clay, Flax Weaving and Bone carving.
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Howard Esler has had a property in Mangawhai for 30 years but since signing up for the gold card a few years back he's been living here full time and loving it. He has been making sculpture since childhood and rusty steel has always been the medium of choice. A mechanical engineer by profession, Howard regards art and engineering as pretty much the same thing. Other interests include visual arts in general, recycling and upcycling, conservation, engineering history, natural history, steam punk, pub quiz, Trackies and many more. He has a focus on passing on skills to any who are willing to learn and encouraging others to do the same. Howard is well used to being a token male on a committee having been on a good many over the last 45 years. Howard believes that putting a washing machine 30 feet up a tree is perfectly normal and can discuss the matter energetically for hours if required.
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Shann Whitaker and his family moved to Mangawhai in early 2021 after spending 9 years in Vietnam where Shann owned a Gallery and Hotel Artwork Consultancy and Design business called Hay Hay Design. The gallery promoted and provided a living for a selection of local Vietnamese artists. He is a Graphic Design graduate and has started several companies including Tantrum Design, creating NZ inspired design products and recently wrote and illustrated a children’s book called ‘Too Much Stuff’. On return to NZ he has continued art consulting for commercial projects as well as getting involved in local council and community arts projects. Shann is also a practicing artist and creates mixed media artwork with a heavy emphasis on design. Shann and his family are loving being back in New Zealand and are enjoying Mangawhai’s growth and community spirit.
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Lena Nelson - I am originally from Sweden. I married a Kiwi and emigrated in 1991 with my family and moved to Mangawhai 2016 from Auckland. My background is in travel, sales and my own businesses one of them an art gallery in West Auckland. I started collecting art in my early 20s and haven’t stopped. Art have always been a strong interest. Having stopped working recently I now have time for my creativity full time.
I have always used my hands, whether it’s paint, knitting, a spade, furniture renovation and jewellery making. A couple of years ago I discovered pottery and feel passionate about the mud. Mangawhai needs a pottery group and I’m excited to join MAI to be able to work on that idea Lynley Bradnam recently retired from a long academic career in health and medical sciences, working in universities in New Zealand, England and Australia. Originally trained as a physiotherapist, she has a PhD in Neuroscience from the University of Auckland. Formerly a Professor and Head of Department, Lynley is experienced in working on committees and collaborating with others to get things done. Lynley brings writing, research, and teaching/education skills to the committee. Originally from Warkworth, Lynley moved to Kaiwaka, where her grandmother grew up, in 2022 and joined Mangawhai artists later that year to support her emerging creative practice. |
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Christine den Hartogh is a Dutch documentary photographer and photojournalist who came to New Zealand in 2016. She studied art at the Willem de Kooning Academy in Rotterdam, media at Open Studios Amsterdam and photography at the Academy for Photography Amsterdam, specialising in documentary photography and photojournalism. Chris has expanded her art journey into printmaking, surface pattern design, book art, botanical printing and abstract painting. Chris brings organisation skills and "a considerable dose of plain Dutch straightforwardness to the committee." Chris is responsible for coordinating our exhibition season and helping artists to get ready for their exhibition. She is also involved in organising the annual Art Trail.
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Janèl Colle is a firm believer in the power of art to unite and inspire. I am thrilled to be a part of the Mangawhai Art Gallery Committee. Joining the committee allows me to merge two of my passions: a deep appreciation for artistic expression and a strong commitment to fostering community bonds. As I continue on this journey with the Mangawhai Art Gallery Committee, I am excited to contribute to the cultural landscape of our town and strengthen the ties that make our community truly special.
Also on the committee - Kay Airey, Angela Machray and Andrea Graham