Kia ora koutou katoa.

Since 2021 I have been an elected independent PNZ Board member. As an independent member, I have contributed my professional experiences in Human Resources, e.g., health, safety, and wellbeing; change and risk management; executive performance and organisational development; along with my personal experiences including years of community football and futsal coaching and refereeing. I am a Chartered Fellow of the Human Resource Institute of NZ, a former Chartered Member Assessor and a past member of the NZ Psychological Society.

I work at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington. I have previous work experiences with the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, the State Services Commission Chief Executive Branch, the Ministry of Health (and several hospitals). Through these roles, I have gained a robust understanding of how government works, an area I believe is increasingly critical for PNZ particularly as it and the Para sport community are directly impacted by government policy and decisions around government funding.

My governance experience includes President of the Wellington Branch Human Resource Institute of NZ; Board Member, and Chair of the Chief Executive Employment Committee, for Accuro Health Insurance; and a Committee Member for Wellington United AFC and Rongotai College Football. I am a member of the Institute of Directors.

If re-elected, as an independent PNZ Board member I will continue to openly share my knowledge and learnings from my experiences – along with my passion for community sports. I aim to help PNZ strive for excellence in both governance and its operations.

Thank you for your support, ngā mihi maioha.

Kia ora koutou, my name is Blair Gilbert. I am the CEO of a philanthropic trust where I manage investments of $170 million which generates revenue for an annual grant distribution of $5.5 million. I have significant experience in government and non-government organisations, and have worked closely with Government Ministers, Iwi and Community Leaders. Formally, as the CEO of a large not-for-profit organisation, my innovative approach ensured the financial sustainability of the organisation and earned awards in the domains of People and Culture, Continuous Improvement and Social Enterprise. Previously, as National Manager at the New Zealand Blind Foundation, I was responsible for growing the areas of community, recreation and volunteers, which saw a 100% increase in client engagement year on year.

I am currently the Chairperson of Blind Sport NZ and a member of the NZ Institute of Directors and bring a sound understanding of governance, finance and the disability sector. I know the value of a positive organisational culture and work collaboratively to make sure voices are heard at all levels. I believe strongly in the Paralympics worldwide movement, and I look forward to the possibility of joining the Paralympics NZ Board where my aim will be to ensure a strong and sustainable Para sport pathway. 

Kia ora koutou katoa, ko Mike Bishop tōku ingoa. Hi I’m Mike Bishop.

I’m delighted to be offering myself for election to the Paralympics NZ Board. I’m a highly experienced and accomplished Director / Trustee and Chief Executive with over 30 years of experience in the sports industry in New Zealand at both a high performance and at a community level. I have proven experience in Business Growth, Stakeholder Relationships, creating and sustaining Commercial Partnerships, and Financial Growth and Sustainability. I have played, coached and administered sport at a high-performance level despite having lived with a disability since birth. My passion for the disability community extends to the fact that I also currently serve on two other disability boards, as Chair of Disability Sport Auckland and as a Board member and Chair of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee of the Laura Fergusson Trust.

Ngā mihi ki a koe

I am completing my first term on the Board of Paralympics New Zealand and am standing for a further term. I am a Chartered Accountant and during my first term I have chaired the Audit and Risk Subcommittee. In addition to my role on the PNZ Board I am Board Chair of Parafed Canterbury Inc and am a member of the Parafed Network Steering Group. This enables me to bring an understanding of the relationships between the Parafeds and PNZ.

I wish to stand for a further term as I feel there is still a lot more that I can contribute particularly around building new financial operating models for PNZ’s financial sustainability and also strengthening the relationship with the Parafeds and other RDSO’s to grow the Para Sport Pathway and increase the number of participants involved in Para Sports.