Oxfam Board of Trustees

The primary role of the Board is to ensure that Oxfam New Zealand (ONZ) serves the needs of its partners, donors, staff and other stakeholders, particularly those in the developing world, with honesty, openness and accountability. The Board provides leadership regarding the vision, mission and core values of ONZ, making sure that the organisation is strategic and effective and that plans are consistent with the mission. The Board provides leadership and support for ongoing improvement of programme, advocacy, communication and marketing work, and ensures that ONZ fully complies with applicable laws, standards and sound practices.

The Board

Peter Conway: Board Chair

Oxfam Board Chair, Peter Conway
Oxfam Board Chair, Peter Conway

Peter has been a board member since 2005 and is a long-term Oxfam supporter.

His involvement as a trustee began when he came into contact with Oxfam’s Make Trade Fair campaign in his then position as Economist and Policy Director at the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions (NZCTU). Peter is now NZCTU Secretary.

"Oxfam New Zealand is an energetic organisation with great staff, excellent leadership and innovative ideas. But fundamentally for me, being involved in Oxfam is one way to do something to take action against poverty and injustice.

"Our greatest challenge now is to build on our strong support so we can not only respond to emergencies, but support the capability of people, particularly in the Pacific, to achieve sustainable development. And in a world of rising food prices and climate change, provide a positive channel for education awareness, aid and action on the basis that we are all in this together."

Peter's knowledge of international trade and trade negotiation issues are of huge value to Oxfam NZ. Previous to his current position at NZCTU, Peter was Retail Secretary at the National Distribution Union for eight years. This was preceded by a five year period at the New Zealand Distribution Workers' Federation where he became Assistant National Secretary in 1989.

Peter is on the Board of New Zealand Trade and Enterprise. His qualifications include a Bachelor of Commerce and Administration, and an MA in Economics.

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Nicki Wrighton: Deputy Chair

Nicki Wrighton Nicki is a self-employed development consultant, and one of the Coordinators of the Canada Fund Programme in Samoa, Tonga, Kiribati and Fiji. Nicki previously worked for NZAID as a Training and Education Advisor before taking on management of their Fiji and Tuvalu programmes from the New Zealand High Commission, Suva (2002–2005). She has recently been appointed as the Government of Tuvalu representative on the Tuvalu Trust Fund Advisory Committee.

"It's great to be involved with Oxfam. I've spent a lot of my working life in and around the Pacific, and I've seen first hand the positive changes they are making. Oxfam's strong commitment to working alongside their overseas partners, together with their quality systems and efficient programmes, means that our supporters' dollars really do make a difference"

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Diane Baguley

Diane Baguley Diane has over 20 years experience in quality management, participating in the development of international standards since 1997. From 1993–2000 she was a Principal Shareholder in the engineering consultancy Beca, working particularly in the service and construction sectors. Diane has an academic background in medicine and microbiology and a strong interest in health and water issues in development. She was a member of the Board of Trustees of Water for Survival prior to that organisation joining with Oxfam New Zealand. Diane is an Honorary Life Member of the New Zealand Organisation for Quality and was awarded an MNZM for services to business in 2008.

"Integrity is what matters most to me; for Oxfam that includes honest relationships with our partners and supporters, trustworthy actions and advocacy, and reliable financial and management processes."

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Joanna Collinge

Joanna Collinge

Joanna Collinge joined the board in 2011. Joanna worked with Oxfam GB for ten years, in communications, policy and management roles. As well as advocacy and promotion to address the root causes of poverty, she travelled with emergency teams, undertaking media work and developing local relationships to ensure assistance was provided quickly. Joanna also witnessed Oxfam’s development programme in action throughout many countries, and worked with others to establish the first Oxfam poverty programme in the UK. Joanna is now Executive Director of the New Zealand Human Rights Commission, which shares Oxfam’s goal of realising human rights for all. She has an academic background in economics, politics and philosophy.

"Oxfam makes a practical difference in day to day lives for people across the world. From providing basic rights to food, water and shelter, through to improving access to health and education, and securing changes in national and global policies, Oxfam helps people to live free from discrimination and violence. I have seen what people can achieve with a little help from Oxfam, and know that together we can make a real and lasting change."

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Rodger Spiller


Rodger is a leading adviser to personal investors and businesses. He is a Certified Financial Planner, Chartered Accountant and holds a PhD in ethical and responsible investment and business. He is the Managing Director of Money Matters and Rodger Spiller & Associates. Rodger is the author of The Essential Guide to Financial Planning in New Zealand, and contributed to the book Carbon Neutral by 2020.

Rodger is a Member of the Nominating Committee for the New Zealand Superannuation Fund and Director of several organisations, including the Responsible Investment Association Australasia. In 1997, he was awarded New Zealand Small Business Manager of the Year, and named New Zealand Financial Planner of the Year in 1999.

"I have a deep seated commitment to ethical and responsible investment and business for its potential to contribute to wellbeing of communities and the environment. Oxfam are recognised leaders in supporting people in developing countries to work their way out of poverty. Oxfam is also a powerful force in encouraging businesses in developed countries to operate responsibly in areas such as climate change. By working with Oxfam I believe I can help make a difference."

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Dr Yvonne Underhill-Sem

Dr Yvonne Underhill-SemYvonne is the Director of the Centre for Development Studies at the University of Auckland, where her post-graduate teaching programme covers gender and development, contemporary theories of development, and Pacific geographies. She has substantive research experience in her home country of the Cook Islands, as well as in Papua New Guinea and Hawaii. Yvonne has also been a consultant to NZAid, UNDP and UNIFEM on topics covering gender and health in rural Papua New Guinea, gender and culture in the Pacific and marketplaces and livelihoods in the Western Pacific. She has a Phd in human geography with specific interests in maternities, mobilities and embodiment, and she has published in the areas of population mobility, fertility, regionalism, and political ecology. For over ten years, Yvonne was also part of DAWN (Development Alternatives with Women for a New Era), a network of feminist activists and scholars from the global south.

"I have been impressed by the quality and nature of engagement Oxfam has with a range of stakeholders; from the general public to civil society to the academy and policy makers. I am happy to be able to contribute to upholding a vision of economic and gender justice and equality that is also respectful of our environment and is evident in all homes, towns, countries and globally."

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Wira Gardiner

Wira Gardiner

Wira has spent more than forty years working across the public and private sector, including a number of years spent in the military, where he saw active service in Vietnam. Maori affairs are close to Wira’s heart and not only is the founding director of the Waitangi Tribunal, he served as Head of the Iwi Transition Agency and Chief Executive of the Ministry of Maori Development as well as a directorship of Maori TV. His private sector achievements include setting up a conflict management company in the Pacific to help mediate and negotiate settlements, and running two art galleries. He has been appointed to numerous Crown and government boards and committees, and has had three books published. He was appointed Chairman of Te Papa Musuem in Wellington. Wira was knighted in 2009.

"In 1979/80 when I was at Kings College London University I was impressed with the work of Oxfam UK and supported it whenever I could. It was thus a pleasure to be asked in 2010 to join the Board of Oxfam NZ. It has been a long wait to become active again. I especially like the focus on providing adequate water for poorer communities in the Pacific."

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Role of the Board of Trustees

The primary role of the Board is to ensure good governance so that ONZ serves the needs of its stakeholders with integrity, objectivity and accountability. The Board will discharge its moral, legal and fiduciary responsibilities, taking into account the specific matters detailed below.

1. As a charitable trust the Board will aim for the highest standards of governance:

2. In its processes and decision-making, the Board will uphold the mission and values:

3. In regard to organisational planning, the Board will ensure that the organisation is strategic and effective:

4. In regard to ONZ activities, the Board will ensure that ONZ strives for best practice:

5. In regard to financial performance, the Board will ensure ONZ fully complies with applicable laws, standards and sound practices:

6. As an employer, the Board will ensure good human resources practices are implemented:

7. In managing its own performance, the Board will strive for the highest levels of governance and accountability:

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