MEET THE FACE BEHIND NGA TOI HAWKE’S BAY
DR. RICHARD GRANT
CHAIRMAN
Dick grew up in Hawke’s Bay and returned to live here after retiring. He was Chairman of the Arts Council of New Zealand Toi Aotearoa from 2013 to 2017. Prior to that, was Executive Director of the Asia New Zealand Foundation, the foremost institution in New Zealand promoting greater New Zealand engagement with the countries of Asia. He has a background in governance and strategic planning.
LAURA PEARCE
SECRETARY
Laura is an established ceramic artist who exhibits nationally. She is a qualified teacher with experience teaching, children, teenagers and adults. Laura has a wealth of technical knowledge across a wide range of art and design processes. Currently, Laura is the Editor of Ceramics New Zealand Magazine where she interacts with the art industry on a local and national level.
TE RANGI HUATA
BOARD MEMBER
Te Rangi has 20 years indigenous arts management experience in Asia, Australia and North America. He is responsible for coordinating events that promote NgātiKahungunuIwi Inc.
Te Rangi started the Hastings Fiesta of Lights in 1998 and manages atmospherics for the Hastings Blossom Parade, Hawke’s Bay Hawks NBL team and Iron Maori. He is a committee member on Hastings Creative Communities, Creative Hastings, Kahungunu Runanga Arts & Culture and sits on Hawke’s Bay Tourism Events Advisory Group.
ARCONNEHI PAIPPER
BOARD MEMBER
Aki returned home to Aotearoa permanently in 2008 after some 43 years in the USA and Canada working with Tourism NZ in collaboration with Australia and Fiji under PATA – the Pacific Area Travel Association, promoting in North America and Asia under the 100% Pure Brand. She later joined Canadian Airlines in their Leisure market which included the Pacific, the Caribbean, Europe, Central and South America, Asia, Mexico and Africa.
She is a Trustee of the Operation Patiki Charitable Trust - a group whose goal and vision is the welfare of the land, sea and sky and all therein. She has received awards for her contribution to local community and has been a part of many projects such as the Wetlands Group, Storm Water Group, Hawke’s Bay Coastal Hazards Group, Whakatu Arterial Group, Mana whenua/Treaty partners group and Bio Diversity Group.
Aki enjoys working with the dynamic group of Ngā Toi Hawke’s Bay to to help capture the stories that remind us all of the gifts we are so endowed.
ROS STEWART
BOARD MEMBER
Ros has been a passionate champion for the Hawke’s Bay’s creative community, for nearly 30 years. Ros chaired the inaugural Creative Napier Arts Council and has organised Winter Solstice Fire Festivals, Edible Arts Festivals and Winter Arts Festivals. She has also chaired Napier’s Millennium Celebrations Committee and was the inaugural Chair of Creative Hawke’s Bay (now Ngā Toi Hawke’s Bay) from 2000 till 2012.
For nearly 40 years Ros has sculpted, painted, designed, exhibited, received commissions and sold artworks which reside around the globe. As a result, she has been invited to international multimedia collaborative art conferences since 2007, which continue to enrich her own art practice.
She continues on the Ngā Toi Hawke’s Bay board as a people-orientated and creative thinker to support and nurture the latest phase in its short history.
JACOB SCOTT
BOARD MEMBER
Jacob is Principal of Scott Design, former Director Te Kura Toi o Te Wananga o Aotearoa and founder and Head of EITs Art & Design School and is a pioneer in contemporary Maori art and Maori arts education. Highly regarded as an architectural designer and artist, Jacob led the development, accreditation and establishment of the Maunga Kura Toi Degree – New Zealand’s first degree level programme in whakairo and raranga. As a past member of the whakaruruhau whakairo (National Educational Development Committee for Maori carving) and honorary holder of the Toi Iho Mark (mark of authenticity and quality for Maori artists) - Jacob is frequently called upon to assist with the development, delivery and review of Maori arts programmes throughout the country.
Jacob is a renowned Maori artist, carver, designer and educator and was awarded Te Ara Whakarei lifetime membership of Toi Iho by peers for works of quality and authenticity.
Tamara Rickett
TREASURER
Tamara is a communications and marketing professional with over 10 years’ experience in arts and culture for higher education. A passionate proponent for the arts, she has led teams and worked independently on projects covering dance, music, design, fine arts, architecture, and built environment disciplines. A songwriter and jazz singer, she has also been involved in a range of productions and events as a musician. Throughout both her community and work projects, she is held in high regard as a strategic leader who is fun, open, and easy to work with.
EMILY ARMSTRONG
BOARD MEMBER
Emily is a visual artist and owner/tutor at The Pencil Room where she teaches a wide range of art workshops and classes to adults and kids across Hawkes Bay.Before moving to Napier in 2015 Emily taught Fine Art at tertiary level, first at Bay of Plenty Polytechnic in Tauranga and then at Whitecliffe College of Art & Design in Auckland.
Emily has worked in a wide range of media including drawing, painting, ceramics and installation. She has been a finalist in notable national awards such as the Wallace Art Award and the Molly Morpeth Canaday Art Award. She has a Master of Art & Design from Auckland University of Technology.