Conference Speakers

Michèle A’Court is a comedian, writer, and experienced MC who is a regular panelist on THREE’s award‑winning comedy show 7 Days. She has also appeared on The Project, RNZ National’s The Panel with Jim Mora, and Nine to Noon, alongside a wide range of New Zealand stand‑up and comedy television programmes. 

Michele also writes a weekly column for the NZ Woman’s Weekly and contributes to national publications including Next, Her Business, and thespinoff.co.nz, where she co‑presented the podcast and web series On The Rag. Michèle has performed internationally across North America and Australasia and at major comedy festivals in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Melbourne, and Adelaide. She is an established event host, conference MC, and after‑dinner speaker with more than 20 years’ experience working with corporate audiences. 

Roger Beaumont is Chief Executive of the New Zealand Banking Association and leads NZBA’s commitment to shape policy and tell the industry’s story.  

Prior to this role, Roger held executive leadership roles in the banking industry in New Zealand and Australia. The earlier part of his career was in the broadcast and digital media industry. 

Paul Brislen is the chief executive of the Telecommunications Forum and sits on the government’s Anti-Scam Alliance group. Having once fallen for the "toll payments due" scam, Paul has a keen interest in stopping the flow of frauds and scams into New Zealand. 

Louisa Brock is Westpac NZ’s Senior Manager for Financial Wellbeing and Inclusion, leading one of Aotearoa’s most impactful teams dedicated to making banking more accessible and equitable. She established and now heads Westpac’s Financial Inclusion & Wellbeing programme, championing initiatives that remove barriers to banking and strengthen financial resilience across the country. Her leadership ensures customers experiencing vulnerable circumstances receive safe, fair, and compassionate support through life’s toughest moments. With more than 16 years of banking experience, she is a respected advocate for inclusive financial services and a driving force behind improvements in financial wellbeing in Aotearoa. 

Todd Calkin leads the Financial Wellbeing and Inclusion team within the personal banking division at ASB. In this role, he oversees the bank’s approach to helping customers build confidence, resilience, and control over their financial lives. With deep experience across financial services, Todd is passionate about designing inclusive products, services, and education that meet people where they are, particularly those who may face barriers to accessing or using banking services.

Kellie Coombes is the Chief Executive and Secretary for Women at Manatū Wāhine Ministry for Women.  

The Ministry advises the Government and works alongside others to represent diverse voices and improve the lives of women and girls in Aotearoa New Zealand.  

Kellie leads the agency’s work to deliver a range of advice, services, and tools to increase women and girls’ economic empowerment, leadership, participation, safety, and wellbeing in society.  

Kellie also partners with other government agencies and organisations to make progress on these outcomes and champion equality for women across Aotearoa New Zealand.  

Prior to her current role, Kellie held the role of Deputy Commissioner, System and Agency Performance at Te Kawa Maataho Public Service Commission for five years.  

Here, Kellie’s group played a key role in driving system and agency performance including the recruitment, appointment, and employment of chief executives across the New Zealand Public Service and engagement with Crown entities.  

Throughout her career, Kellie has held several other senior leadership roles across a range of public sector agencies in New Zealand, including a period as the Private Secretary for the Minister of State Services. 

Tracey Cross is a leading financial services lawyer, independent director, and governance advisor focused on driving impactful change. A champion of diversity and inclusion, and of supporting women’s financial wellbeing, Tracey co‑founded and co‑chairs the Financial Services Council’s Diversity and Empower Women initiatives. 

Ben Davin is a financial technology professional with over 15 years of experience working in investment banking, operations and digital delivery across New Zealand and the UK. He’s led major initiatives at firms like RBS Equity Derivatives, Jarden, and Forsyth Barr, helping teams build smarter systems, improve transparency, and deliver better markets technology. 

Feijoa brings together Ben’s background in finance and technology. Built using a modern, cloud-native architecture, Feijoa is designed to be simple, secure, and highly scalable – making it easy for Kiwis to build up their KiwiSaver balance with small, automatic contributions from everyday spending. 

Ben holds degrees in physics and finance, along with a master’s in renewable energy systems. He’s passionate about building tools that are not just technically solid, but can genuinely make a difference. 

Dr Michelle Dickinson has spent her career at the intersection of science, technology, and communication, helping people understand complex innovations and helping innovators bring their work to market.

Right now, she’s putting that experience to work as Chief Strategy Officer at Workr, a robotics-as-a-service company solving manufacturing's labor crisis. They build AI-powered robotic workers that deploy in weeks, cost $25/hour, and are controlled with a tablet making automation accessible to manufacturers who've been locked out of traditional solutions. In this role Michelle leads partnerships, go-to-market strategy, and commercialization, working to turn engineering breakthroughs into products that actually get adopted.

Before Workr, Michelle built her career across nanotechnology, materials engineering, and science communication. 

Dr Dickinson founded Matter Workshop and Nanogirl, initiatives that have reached millions through bestselling books, award-winning television, and large-scale STEM engagement programs. She’s worked with everyone from high-tech startups to multinationals, and advised boards, investors, and VC firms on deep-tech commercialization.

Michelle believes the best technology means nothing if people can't understand it, use it, or buy it. 

Whether she’s helping a robotics company reframe itself as a workforce solution, or helping a technical founder tell their story to investors, the work is the same, making the complex accessible.

Dr Dickinson continues to keynote globally on emerging technologies, the future of work, and innovation strategy.  

Shamubeel Eaqub makes economics easy and fun. Shamubeel is the Chief Economist at Simplicity. He is also an author, media commentator and a thought leading public speaker.  

He graduated with Honours in Economics from Lincoln University and is also a CFA Charterholder.  

He has 25 years of experience as an economist in Wellington, Melbourne and Auckland in leading financial institutions and consultancy (ANZ Bank, Goldman Sachs JBWere, NZIER, Sense Partners and Simplicity).  

He balances a portfolio of economics, consulting, public speaking, governance and family duties. He lives in Auckland with his wife and two sons. 

Ko Karleen Everitt toku ingoa, he uri o Te Aupouri, Ngapuhi Nui Tonu me te iwi Morehu. (My name is Karleen Everitt, I affliate to the tribes of my lands Te Aupouri, Ngapuhi and Morehu). 

Kareleen Everitt is the Te Kaitohu Rautaki Māori – Head of Te Ao Māori Strategy for ANZ Bank New Zealand Limited (ANZ). Prior to joining ANZ she had her own consultancy company, Manaaki Solutions Ltd for 16 years.  

Karleen has a Masters of Management from the University of Auckland Business School where she specialised in Indigenous Strategic Leadership, and in 2024 received the Dame Mira Szaszy Māori Business Leader Award.  

Karleen has held many governance roles and was the first woman, first Māori to have Chaired Northland Inc (the Northland economic development agency), and is the deputy Chair of the St Stephens & Queen Victoria Schools Trust Board and Trustee of Global Women. She is also the Chair for our little whanau (family) Trust that holds the name of my tupuna (ancestors). 

Karleen is also a proud alumni member of one of the oldest global women collectives – Global Women In Management and also the Federation of Māori Authorities Me Uru Kahikatea Business Leaders Group.

Kris Faafoi, Chief Executive Officer, Insurance Council of New Zealand Te Kahua Inihua o Aotearoa.

Kris Faafoi joined the Insurance Council of New Zealand Te Kahua Inihua o Aotearoa (ICNZ) as Chief Executive Officer in April 2024. He is a former member of Parliament and Cabinet Minister who served in a number of roles, including Minister of Justice, Immigration, Commerce and Consumer Affairs and Broadcasting and Media. Before that, Kris worked as a journalist, including at TVNZ and the BBC.  

Yasmin Frazer is the Learning Lead at Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission, where she leads financial education initiatives across New Zealand. She oversees the partnership with the Ministry of Education to implement compulsory financial education in schools, chairs the Financial Education Provider Advisory Group, and represents New Zealand in the OECD INFE group, contributing to global financial education efforts. Yasmin heads the Sorted in Schools programme, ensuring accessible, high-quality financial capability education for secondary schools and kura. With a background as a teacher and leader in professional learning, she brings experience in curriculum design, assessment, and student wellbeing. Her diverse expertise supports her work advancing financial education nationwide. 

Sam Garaway is the CEO of Christians Against Poverty NZ and is passionate about ending money chaos in Aotearoa. Since taking up the role of CEO in 2020, he has led CAP’s transformational journey to better serve New Zealanders experiencing financial hardship. He’s excited about supporting more whānau to reach their goals, in partnership with churches across the motu. 

Sam also serves as Board Chair of Arrow Leadership NZ. He lives in Tāmaki Makaurau with his wife Ari, and together they enjoy escaping for water, beach, or bush adventures with their three children whenever they can. 

Professor Alexander Gillespie obtained his LLB and LLM degrees with Honours from The University of Auckland. He did his PhD at Nottingham and post-doctoral studies at Columbia University in New York City. His areas of scholarship pertain to international and comparative environmental law; the laws of war; civil liberties; and a number of pressing issues of social concern. 
 
Alexander has published nineteen books. His most recent works are People, Power and Law: A New Zealand History (jointly written with Professor Claire Breen, which was published in 2022 by Bloomsbury/Hart in Oxford, UK); and Volume IV of his Causes of War (1650-1800) series. This was also published by Bloomsbury, in 2021. He has also written over forty academic articles. 
 
Alexander has been awarded a Rotary International Scholarship, a Fulbright Fellowship, a residency at the Rockerfeller Bellagio Centre in Italy, and the New Zealand Law Foundation International Research Fellowship. He was the recipient of a Francqui Foundation award with which he held a professorship at Ghent University, Belgium, for six months during 2018/2019. In 2021 he was the joint winner of the Critic and Conscience of Society Award. In 2024 Alexander was the recipient of the Borrin Foundation Justice Fellowship, to undertake work on the reform of the NZ Arms Act, based on comparative best practice.  
 
Alexander has also been the lawyer/expert on a number of international delegations and advised the New Zealand government on multiple matters of international concern. Professor Gillespie was the first New Zealander to be named Rapporteur for the World Heritage Convention, involving international environmental diplomacy under the auspice of UNESCO. Alexander has also been engaged in policy formation for the United Nations, the Commonwealth Secretariat, and governmental, commercial and non-governmental organisations in New Zealand, Australia, United States, United Kingdom, Ireland and Switzerland. He has also made a number of appearances before the Waitangi Tribunal and Select Committees of the New Zealand Parliament. 

Christopher Goh is an Australian digital identity expert and global leader in the design of secure, trustworthy digital systems that enable access to essential services. His work sits at the intersection of technology, public policy, and social equity, with a strong focus on how thoughtful system design can uphold dignity, protect privacy, and expand opportunity.  

Chris has worked across government and industry to shape digital identity frameworks that balance innovation with public trust, drawing on international standards and real-world implementation experience. He is widely recognised for his ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear, human-centred insights, and for advocating approaches that work for people who are often excluded from traditional financial and digital systems.  

At the National Strategy Conference, Chris will explore how digital identity, when designed well, can unlock access to banking, credit, and services, and why digital infrastructure is ultimately a question of fairness, inclusion, and long-term social impact.  

Nick Hakes is the Chief Executive Officer of Financial Advice New Zealand, bringing more than two decades of leadership experience across the Asia-Pacific financial advice profession. His international career spans Singapore, Australia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Vietnam, providing insight and influence to regulators, financial institutions, and professional adviser bodies. 

A recognised champion for the value of quality financial advice, Nick has held executive and board roles across major adviser associations and industry initiatives. He has served as Chair of the Pro Bono Financial Advice Network, an industry-wide collaboration that connects advisers with people experiencing personal health crises. He also previously served as Vice Chairman of the International Certification & Standards Board under the Asia Pacific Financial Services Association (APFinSA), overseeing adviser education pathways and the maintenance of professional standards across the region. 

Today, as CEO of Financial Advice New Zealand, Nick is focused on strengthening the collective voice of advisers, elevating professional standards, and championing the long-term value of quality financial advice for consumers across the country. 

Kate Hannah is Stakeholder Lead at Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission, where she leads the National Strategy for Financial Capability and supports cross-sector action to strengthen financial wellbeing in Aotearoa. She brings to this work her experience spanning government, research, and community focused system leadership.  

Kate’s background includes leading nationally significant research and advisory work at the intersection of social cohesion, digital systems, equity, and public trust. She is widely recognised for her ability to translate complex evidence into clear, actionable insights for decisionmakers, practitioners, and communities. Her work has informed policy, public dialogue, and institutional practice during periods of significant social and economic pressure.  

Across her career, Kate has specialised in research translation, strategic communications, public engagement, and system stewardship, with a strong focus on equity centred and strengths-based approaches. She brings a long-term systems lens to financial wellbeing, grounded in mana enhancing practice and a commitment to centring whānau and community aspirations.  

Deanna Harrison leads FinCap’s Workforce Development team and is responsible for the Te Tāpapa: Professionalised Workforce Development Framework for Financial Mentors programme. She brings experience in the private sector, public sector, and community development. Te Tāpapa is a transformative initiative designed to build a strong, credible profession with effective best practice, a standard of excellence in service delivery, and clear career pathways. It builds on FinCap’s existing training and support initiatives and provides a coherent structure for financial mentors’ professional development and growth. 

Tom Hartmann is the Personal Finance Lead at Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission, focusing on Sorted and grow New Zealanders’ long-term wellbeing by helping them get ahead financially. He contributes to the Sorted ecosystem of websites, campaigns, calculators, seminars and publishing, as well as workplace, school and community programmes. He also regularly comments in media, particularly around KiwiSaver and personal finance issues. His background in journalism and finance dovetails to support the Retirement Commissioner and the team to lift financial capability across the country. 

Kirk Hope (Ngāi Tahu) is the CEO of the Financial Services Council NZ, the industry organisation responsible for advocating on behalf of fund managers and life and health insurers. He has previously been the CEO of BusinessNZ, the New Zealand Banking Association Te Rangapū Pēke, and Executive Director of the Financial Services Federation. Kirk holds an LLM focused on the regulation of financial services and a BA (Hons) in Political Science. 

Fleur Howard was appointed Chief Executive of FinCap in early 2025 to lead FinCap through its mahi of facilitating whānau financial wellbeing by supporting free financial mentoring and addressing systemic barriers that prevent financial wellbeing. She has long been committed to advancing financial inclusion and wellbeing in Aotearoa, combining her drive for social justice with her experience in commercial law. FinCap is working with the sector on a professionalised workforce development programme. The framework sets in motion a five‑year plan of initiatives that validates the skills and expertise of financial mentors, enhances career development, ensures whānau receive consistent, high‑quality services, and builds trust and confidence among stakeholders. 

Martin King is the current General Manager for Customer Assist at Bank of New Zealand. Martin has over 26 years’ experience in financial services across New Zealand and the United Kingdom. He has led Bank of New Zealand's support for customers in hardship, complaint resolution, conduct, social impact and vulnerability since November 2019. Prior to this he held similar roles at Lloyds Banking Group and has led a variety of industry forums in the UK, NZ and globally seeking to improve outcomes for all customers.

Anita Lomas (Waikato-Tainui, Ngāti Maniapoto, Mangaia, Alofi, Nottingham) has over 15 years’ experience in administration, finance, and community services. She currently leads the Education and Employment team (Te Ara Poutama) at Ki Tua o Matariki, supporting mātua taiohi (young parents) to achieve their education, employment, and training goals. Her work centres on walking alongside young mums and dads to build confidence, capability, and long-term wellbeing for themselves and their whānau. 

Anita has been closely involved in co-designing a financial wellbeing programme with young parents, ensuring their lived experiences shape how financial capability support is delivered. She is passionate about creating safe, strengths-based spaces where young whānau can build practical skills such as budgeting, goal setting, and financial decision-making. 

She brings a strong focus on whanaungatanga, empowerment, and culturally grounded practice.

Shirley McCombe is the General Manager of one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest financial mentoring organisations. She is passionate about lifting financial literacy across the country and empowering whānau with the knowledge, confidence, and tools they need to break cycles of poverty and build sustainable futures. 

Their digital innovation, Buxly, brings together financial mentoring, live bank feeds, education, and community in one integrated platform. By removing barriers to engagement, Buxly enables mentors to reach more people, connect more effectively, and significantly amplify the impact they have with their financial wellbeing. 

Initially a nurse, Shirley has worked in the financial planning sector and owned her own business before she began working in social service, 20 years ago.  She has been in her current role for seven years and is passionate about equity and advocacy for those they serve. 

Lyn McMorran has been the Executive Director of the Financial Services Federation, the industry body representing specialist lenders operating in New Zealand, for 14 years. Prior to that she was Area Manager for Westpac’s Private Bank in the Lower North and South Islands, running a team of Private Advisers and support staff providing comprehensive financial planning advice to portfolios of private banking clients. Lyn has achieved the Certified Association Executive designation from the Association of Association Executives in the USA and is a Chartered Member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors. She is Chair of the New Zealand Society of Association Executives and is a member of the Ministry for Women’s National Advisory Council on the Employment of Women. 

Graeme Muller is the Chief Executive of Tech New Zealand, the united voice for technology in Aotearoa New Zealand. For more than a decade, he has worked alongside industry, government and global partners to strengthen the conditions for a thriving, inclusive and trusted tech ecosystem. Graeme focuses on shaping good technology policy, building digital skills, and connecting people across the ecosystem so individual expertise becomes collective impact. 

Patrick Nolan leads a team that supports the Retirement Commissioner to shape our policy and research work and activities. He oversees our research programme, the statutory three-yearly Review of Retirement Income Policies and the statutory role to monitor the effects of the Retirement Villages Act, the Regulations and Code of Practice. He has had roles in organisations including the New Zealand Treasury, Productivity Commission, NZIER and in a London-based think tank. His PhD examined the labour supply effects of the Working for Families Tax Credits. 

Jane O’Loughlin has been working in cyber security for over 5 years, firstly with CERT NZ and now with the NCSC.  As the Manager Engagement, Communications and Partnerships she oversees the NCSC's engagement with a wide range of customers and partners, as well as campaign work such as the annual Cyber Smart Week.

She is one of the people leading the Education and Awareness pillar of the Anti-Scam Alliance.

Lui Poe is a General Manager at The Cause Collective, bringing executive leadership experience across the public service and community sectors. He has a strong capability in building and establishing new organisations and leading strategic initiatives that deliver meaningful impact. Lui is recognised for his ability to navigate complex systems, foster high-trust partnerships, and drive outcomes that improve wellbeing for Pacific and diverse communities. 

Markus Poppe is Head of Sustainable Finance at Kiwibank, where he leads the development and delivery of the bank’s sustainable finance approach across lending, products, and customer engagement. Working at the intersection of capital and purpose, Markus focuses on how finance can support longterm wellbeing for individuals, businesses, and communities, both in general and as part of New Zealand’s transition to a lowemissions, climateresilient future. He is particularly passionate about ensuring sustainability delivers positive social outcomes as well as environmental ones, and in his role also leads Kiwibank’s Special Care customer programme, supporting customers in vulnerable circumstances. Markus brings a strong belief that financial inclusion is fundamental to resilience, wellbeing, and opportunity. 

Simon Power is CEO of Fisher Funds and is responsible for the strategic direction and overall day‑to‑day management of the business. He has significant experience at senior levels in government, banking, and media. Simon practiced as a lawyer for a short time before entering parliament as the MP for Rangitīkei in 1999 and holding that seat until 2011. During his time in parliament, he served as Minister for Justice, Commerce, State Owned Enterprises and Associate Minister of Finance between 2008 and 2011. He entered the finance and banking sector in 2012, holding several roles on the Westpac NZ Executive team including General Manager of Institutional and Business Banking and Managing Director of Private Bank, Wealth & Insurance, culminating in a period as acting CEO. In 2022, Simon took on the role of CEO for TVNZ. 

Nicola Raynes-Pene is the National Industry Leader for Financial Services at KPMG New Zealand, a role which operates pan-firm across banking and finance, insurance, wealth management and property funds. Nicola has worked in and with the financial services sector in New Zealand, Ireland and the United Kingdom for the last 20 years, with ten of those years have been within banking institutions.  She ensures local and global perspectives are at the fore front of services to the Financial Services sector and brings the global lens to the ecosystem in Aotearoa.  Nicola sits on the Executive Council for Fintech NZ. 

Brooke Roberts is the co-founder, director and 3EO (co-CEO) of Sharesies and mother of two. At Sharesies, their vision is to give someone with $5 and $5m the same money opportunities. Sharesies is a wealth app with over half a million investors who’ve collectively invested billions of dollars. Sharesies also partners with NZX and ASX listed companies so they can know and communicate to their retail investors, support with capital raises and provide staff share schemes. 
 
Brooke is passionate about creating equal opportunities and business being a force for good—she puts a lot of focus on making sure Sharesies has a positive impact on people, customers, communities, and the environment. Brooke was the co-winner of the 2020 Women of Influence- Business award, alongside co-founder, Sonya Williams. Brooke was also awarded the 2022 NZ Hi-Tech Inspiring Individual and 2022 NZ Services Entrepreneur of the Year, alongside co-founders Sonya and Leighton. 

Anna Scott is CEO of Mercer New Zealand, leading innovative solutions in investments, retirement savings, workforce, and health benefits to enhance financial wellbeing. With more than 20 years’ experience in financial services across New Zealand and globally, she drives growth and improves retirement and workforce outcomes through tailored strategies. Before joining Mercer in 2025, Anna held CEO and COO roles at top New Zealand investment firms and was Executive Director at J.P. Morgan, overseeing global operations for the Currency & Commodities Group. She serves as a Director of the Financial Services Council of New Zealand and champions inclusion and diversity with Global Women. Anna also chairs the Sea Wolf Water Polo Club, reflecting her commitment to community. Based in Auckland, she is passionate about empowering individuals and organisations to build financial resilience and capability. 

Vittoria Shortt is the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of ASB Bank, a role she has held since February 2018. Leading a team of more than 6,500 people, Vittoria is focused on accelerating progress for all New Zealanders. This includes considering the social, environmental and financial wellbeing of ASB’s customers and communities and builds on its 178‑year history of supporting a more resilient and sustainable New Zealand. Vittoria has more than 20 years’ experience in banking, having joined ASB’s parent company, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, in 2002. Her career began in New Zealand, working in corporate finance and mergers and acquisitions. She holds a Bachelor of Management Studies majoring in Accounting and Finance from Waikato University and is a Fellow Chartered Accountant with the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Australia and New Zealand. 

Tapu Vea is a General Manager at The Cause Collective, with a background in innovation, and systems change. He leads strategic initiatives that centre Pacific values, co-design, and community-led development. Tapu is focused on building sustainable models and partnerships that deliver measurable impact and long-term outcomes for communities 

Natalie Vincent (Ngāpuhi) brings years of experience and leadership across education, financial wellbeing, kaupapa Māori services, and community governance in Aotearoa. She has spent her career creating programmes and systems that support genuine inclusion for whānau who have historically been excluded. She has presented internationally on trauma-informed, culturally responsive financial empowerment, and most recently led the development of Te Tāpapa - a professionalised workforce development framework for the financial mentoring sector - in her advisory role with FinCap. 

Natalie has a strong belief in community-led solutions. Her practice weaves together strategic rigour, cultural responsiveness, and an unwavering commitment to equity - ensuring that the communities most affected by systemic inequity have authentic voice in the decisions that shape their lives. 

She believes that showing up fully for others, whether around a boardroom table or alongside people navigating the hardest moments of their lives, is both a privilege and a responsibility. It is that sense of service - to her community, that shapes everything she does. 

Mark White-Robinson is a commercial advisor and lawyer with experience across New Zealand, Australia, and the wider Asia-Pacific region, including senior leadership roles at an NZX-listed telco. He has led major transformation initiatives across enterprise sales, commercial strategy, and risk ownership and has overseen high-value, complex deals across managed services, M&A, finance, property, and dispute resolution. 

With a habit for challenging the status quo, Mark brings a pragmatic lens to risk and value, focusing on solutions that work for everyone — balancing reward with responsibility. His work with Feijoa is the realisation of his love for technology and long-term investing: building a new, frictionless way for New Zealanders to grow their wealth through small, automatic contributions from everyday spending. 

Mark holds an honours degree in Law and a Bachelor of Arts. Outside work, you’ll find him behind a camera or enjoying Wellington’s craft beer scene. 

Mark Williamson has been employed by the New Zealand Defence Force since November 2005.  In 2016, Mark was appointed NZDF Benefits Manager which includes responsibility for the NZDF Force Financial Hub, an internet portal providing a suite of financially related benefits to Defence community members, including families and veterans.  Benefits include three staff savings schemes with excess of $810m invested, a full range of life and other insurances and comprehensive financial capability training programmes run in conjunction with the Retirement Commission.  In 2017, Mark was the NZDF Civilian of the Year and in 2021 was awarded a Chief of Defence Force commendation for his contribution to the enhanced financial wellbeing of the Defence community. 

Mark’s qualifications include a Master of Arts with Hons and the NZ Certificate in Financial Services (Level 5) in Investment and Life and Health Insurance.

Zoe Witika-Hawke (Ngāti Pāoa, Ngāti Hako, Ngāti Tamaterā) is the Chief Executive of Ki Tua o Matariki, the kaupapa Māori health and social service of Ngāti Pāoa Iwi Trust. With over 20 years’ experience across hauora, social services, and community development, she is known for her strategic leadership and commitment to kaupapa Māori approaches that uplift whānau and strengthen intergenerational wellbeing. 

Her leadership is grounded in tikanga, whanaungatanga, and a clear vision for Oranga Whānau, Oranga Mokopuna. Zoe is passionate about creating culturally grounded, responsive systems that empower hapū māmā, pēpi, tamariki, and whānau to thrive. 

While recognised as a respected leader, Zoe draws her greatest strength from her whānau. A devoted wife and mother, her commitment to whānau wellbeing begins at home and guides her mahi serving Ngāti Pāoa.