Board Members

Ko Ōpuke tōku maunga
Ko Hakatere tōku awa
Ko Te Herenga Waka ō Ōrewa tōku marae
Ko Ngāti Māmoe ko Ngāi Tahu ōku iwi
Ko Robert (Bob) White tōku pāpā
Ko Anita White, nee Smith, tōku māmā
Ko Gabrielle rāua ko Elise aku tamariki
Ko Fraser Neil tōku hoa tāne
Ko Lisa White tōku ingoa

I feel very humbled and privileged to lead our kura from April 2025. 

I have been in education since January 1991 as a teacher, Head of Faculty, Dean, Director of International Marketing, Leader of the Whangaparāoa Peninsula Kāhui Ako (Community of Learning), Deputy Principal, and now Principal. 

I was born in Ashburton, raised in Gore, studied in Invercargill and Christchurch.  I have taught at Ōrewa College, Massey High School, Ashburton College and Whangaparāoa College, as well as some time in the business world as a Marketing Consultant and Mortgage Broker.  I have a stepdaughter and a daughter, both now grown and making their way in life.  I am in education to make a difference, help students on their pathway in life and want my life to be meaningful for others.

I look forward to working, ngātahi-together with you, to assist our tamariki on their journey.

My name is Stephen Tansey and I came here from England in 2005 to teach and be Head of Technology at the Kura. I was staff representative on the board for three years before I retired in 2014.  I see representation on the board as an opportunity to use the knowledge and understanding gained during 40 years of teaching to support the Kura and the Doubtless Bay community. I am currently privileged to be the Board Chair.

In retirement, I enjoy sailing, golf, fishing and looking after my home in Cooper’s Beach. I am also Treasurer at Mangonui Cruising Club and a trustee of Clean Waters to the Sea – Tokarau Moana Charitable trust, a local environmental group focusing on the restoration of the Doubtless Bay catchment.

Ko Puketotara te maunga
Ko Te Wao Nui a Tiriwa te ngahere
Ko Waiti te awa
Ko Tainui te waka
Ko Tawhiakiterangi te tupuna
Ko Te Kawerau ā Maki te iwi

Kia ora,

My name is Hayley Rutene, and I’m honoured to have been elected as a Parent Representative and Vice Chairperson on the Taipa Area School Board of Trustees.

I’m excited to contribute to the ongoing growth and success of our school and to support our tamariki, kaiako, and whānau.

I currently have three children who attend Taipa Area School, and my husband is part of the school whānau as well — he teaches Building Trades and Adventure Tourism.

As a parent, I’m passionate about creating a positive, inclusive, and high-quality learning environment where every student is encouraged to achieve their best.

I believe strong partnerships between home and school are key to student success, and I’m committed to representing the voices of our parents and wider community in board discussions and decisions.

I look forward to working alongside our Board, Principal, and staff to help Taipa Area School continue to thrive as a place of learning, belonging, and opportunity.

Ngā mihi nui,
Hayley

Kia ora, 

He rāngai maomao ka taka ki tua o Nukutaurua, e kore a muri e hokia

Ko Maunga Taniwha te Maunga

Ko Maungataniwha te maunga

Ko Mamaru te waka

Ko Tokerau te moana

Ko Ngāti Kahu te iwi

Ko Ngāti Tara te hapū

Ko Harihona te whānau

Tēnā tatou katoa. My name is Rox Harrison and I am the proud mum of two cool as humans. My grown-up daughter is off seeing the world (currently in Canada) and my son is in Year 10 here at TAS. I was born in Kaitāia and grew up in Te Tai Tokerau. 

I have a lot of love for stories, learning and literacy and my background is in libraries and education. I’m a qualified primary school teacher and spent 15 years with Far North District Libraries, where part of my mahi was taking library services and literacy programmes out to remote parts of the Far North. I’ve also worked in the education team at Te Papa, and these days I’m with Te Hiku Media as well as teaching part-time at Mangōnui School.

I’m passionate about student and staff wellbeing and achievement. I believe te reo Māori and local matauranga are taonga, and that honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi is key to building a school where everyone belongs. 

Whānau, hapū, iwi, kura and community, we’re at our best when we connect. 

Ngā mihi!

Hi, my name is Alison Chuck. The beautiful Doubtless Bay became my home 18 years ago after I moved here from Taranaki.

I am a very proud mum of 2 children with my husband, Brendon, and work as a Beauty Therapist at Doubtless Beauty Retreat. I love the outdoors and exploring our local areas and walks. I am also currently involved in the Eastern Football Club.

Kia ora, my name is Zinnia Smith, and I have the privilege of serving as the Board Secretary. My role is to support the smooth running of our Board of Trustees by handling administration, preparing meeting documents, and making sure Board members have the information they need to carry out their governance responsibilities.

I’m also here as the first point of contact for Board correspondence and to help connect our kura whānau and community with the work of the Board.

I look forward to supporting our Board as they work to guide and strengthen our school for the benefit of all tamariki, staff, and whānau.

If you wish to make a submission to the board, or have questions regarding anything to do with the Board, please contact Zinnia Smith on 4060159 ext 202 or email zinnias@taipa.school.nz