Our Governance
Edgar Wilson
Chair and Trustee
Edgar Wilson is a Justice of the Peace...
Edgar Wilson is a Justice of the Peace, Marriage Celebrant, and an educationalist with 28 years of teaching and management experience in secondary schools throughout New Zealand and the United Kingdom. For six years, he was the Regional Manager for the Tertiary Education Commission in Waikato, Head of the School of Education and Social Development and Regional Engagement Managers at the Waikato Institute of Technology (Wintec). As the recently retired Chair of Trust Waikato, and K’aute Pasifika Trust he looks back with the knowledge he has made a difference for the community. Edgar is Chair of Child Matters (Child Protection Studies), Chair of Hamilton Cricket Association and Chair of the David Johnstone Scholarship Trust.
John Bailey
Trustee
John Bailey has a master’s degree in education with a focus on...
John Bailey has a master's degree in education with a focus on children with special needs and educational leadership. John's teaching background was in primary schools, spending 20 years as a school principal in rural and city schools. He also spent time with the Ministry of Education supporting schools and children. He is now retired, plays croquet, travels throughout the Pacific and follows the progress of his grandchildren with their education and now seeing them join the workforce.
Andrea Twaddle
Deputy Co-Chair & Trustee
Andrea Twaddle is a director at DTI Lawyers, a specialist employment lawyer...
Andrea Twaddle is a director at DTI Lawyers, a specialist employment lawyer and workplace investigator. Andrea has extensive experience advising and representing clients on people and culture matters, including privacy and health and safety. Andrea has a special interest in the education and mental health sectors, and acts in Coronial Inquiries. Andrea is an educator on legal issues, including presentations for the New Zealand Law Society as well as providing guidance to industry groups, other professional advisors, and leadership teams. Andrea is committed to serving the community and is the former Presiding Member of the Cambridge Primary School Board.
Andrew Clements
Trustee
Andrew is a Director/Lawyer and Notary Public...
Andrew is a Director/Lawyer and Notary Public at Grayson Clements Lawyers. Andrew regularly advises businesses, business families, private wealth clients (domestically and internationally), and charitable entities. He specialises in structural design, family governance, trusts and succession. He is a past New Zealand editorial advisor to the British Trusts and Trustees Law Journal and a full member of the Society of Trusts and Estate Practitioners (TEP). Andrew has managed national and local training providers and consulted at the board level in the STEM, educational and philanthropic sectors.
Anthea Simcock
Trustee
Anthea has a background in both education and child therapy...
Anthea has a background in both education and child therapy and was the founding chief executive officer of Child Matters, a role she held for 23 years. In 2012 she was awarded an ONZM for services to children. She has held many local and national roles, memberships and appointments in the social services and NFP sectors and now brings her knowledge and experience to a governance role on the Child Matters board.
Brendon McLean
Deputy Co-Chair & Trustee
Brendon McLean is the Head of Procurement at Prolife Foods...
Brendon McLean is the Head of Procurement at Prolife Foods. Brendon has extensive experience in the fast-moving consumer goods industry in New Zealand, Australia, and Asia, bringing with him strategic and commercial knowledge. Brendon has a Bachelor of Commerce in marketing and management. He was also a member of the Community and Enterprise Leadership Foundation programme in 2016, whose mission is to build future leaders who can reimagine a stronger Waikato from a social, environmental, cultural, and economic perspective.
Siaki Tokolahi
Trustee
Siaki is a Registered Social Worker...
Siaki is a Registered Social Worker and a member of the Professional Conduct Committee (PCC) for the Social Work Registration Board of New Zealand. Siaki is of Tongan descent and has a strong work ethic towards improving health and wellbeing of Pacific communities within the region.
Sarah-Jane Tiakiwai
Trustee
(Te Rarawa, Waikato) – Sarah-Jane Tiakiwai is the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Maori at the University of Waikato...
(Te Rarawa, Waikato) – Sarah-Jane Tiakiwai is the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Maori at the University of Waikato. Sarah-Jane’s PhD was in Maori Studies with a focus on Maori success in education. She has over 20 years’ experience in the tertiary sector as a lecturer, researcher and executive leader working in university and wananga as well as 7 years as inaugural academic director of the Waikato-Tainui College for Research and Development, an iwi-led academic and research institution. She is passionate about working in spaces that connect and enable her to contribute to advancing the needs of Māori and indigenous communities in Aotearoa and worldwide.
Expert Advisory Group
Child Matters’ expert advisory group brings together key stakeholders who offer their expertise and advice on the progress and direction of Child Matters’ deliverable outcomes. This valuable feedback allows Child Matters to identify areas of future development opportunities, be aware of potential barriers and ensure the organisation has a clear vision of its achievements and direction.
