NEW ZEALAND SCHOOL OF MUSIC - Key Persons


Adele Chan

Job Titles:
  • School Manager / School of Music

Alan Judge-Chair

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Board
  • Member of the Finance Committee
  • Chairman of Habit Health
  • Fellow of the Chartered Accountants Australia
Alan was a partner in consulting firm EY for 29 years and left the practice in 2017 as Chair of the New Zealand firm and a member of the EY Asia Pacific Advisory Board. Alan is a Fellow of the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ) and a member of the Institute of Directors. Alan is the Chair of Habit Health and a director of a number of other private companies. He is a trustee of the Dame Malvina Major Foundation and chairs the finance committee of Te Herenga Waka-Victoria University of Wellington. Alan was previously a trustee and chair of the City Gallery Wellington Foundation.

Alex Hoare

Job Titles:
  • School Administrator / School of Music

Annalise Bowden

Job Titles:
  • Fitness Adviser / Student and Campus Living

AProf Dugal McKinnon

Job Titles:
  • Associate Professor / School of Music

AProf Sarah Hoskyns

Job Titles:
  • Associate Professor / School of Music

Brian Diettrich

Job Titles:
  • Senior Lecturer in Ethnomusicology / School of Music

Brigitte Bönisch-Brednich

Job Titles:
  • Member of Audit and Risk Committee
  • Professor Brigitte Bönisch - Brednich

Brooke Roberts - Founder

Job Titles:
  • Co - Founder
  • Director
  • Member of the Board
Brooke Roberts is the co-founder, director and 3EO (co-CEO) of Sharesies and a 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 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 EY Services Entrepreneur of the Year New Zealand, alongside co-founders Sonya Williams and Leighton Roberts.

Callan Hughes

Job Titles:
  • Sports Administrator / Student and Campus Living

Caroline Ward

Job Titles:
  • Secretary to Council, Vice - Chancellor 's Office

Cath Nesus

Job Titles:
  • Chairman of the Te Aka Matua - Māori Advisory Committee
  • Member of the People and Culture Committee

Chris Finlayson

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Board
Hon Chris Finlayson KC is a lawyer and former Member of Parliament. He has previously been Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, Attorney-General and Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations. Chris retired from Parliament in 2019 and currently practises law in arbitration, the Treaty of Waitangi, and Māori trusts at Bankside Chambers. A keen supporter of the arts, he is currently a board member of New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and the Norman Kirk Trust. Chris is also Patron of the Auckland Youth Orchestra. Chris studied Latin, French, and Law at Victoria University of Wellington, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in 1980 and a Master of Laws in 1985. Since graduating, he has continued a strong relationship with the University as a donor to a number of arts funds, was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Law in 2020, is a current Ambassador of the Living Pā project and has been a long-time trustee of major University supporters, the Adam Foundation, since 2004.

Clemmie Newton

Job Titles:
  • Associate Director, International Student Experience / Student Experience and Wellbeing

Conor O'Fee

Job Titles:
  • Sports and Clubs Manager / Student and Campus Living University Recreation Wellington

Crystal Li

Job Titles:
  • International Student Support Manager / Student Experience and Wellbeing

Dame Kerry Prendergast - Chairman

Job Titles:
  • Chairman of the Board
  • Chairman of the Wellington Free Ambulance
Dame Kerry has had a long and successful life in politics. She was first elected as a Tawa Borough Councillor in 1986. She was elected to Wellington City Council in 1989, spent six years as Deputy Mayor of Wellington, and in 2001 was elected Mayor of Wellington, a position she held for three terms until 2010. During that time, she took a great interest in promoting the interests of Wellington's tourism and commercial businesses. Before her mayoralty she was an independent midwife for 25 years, having originally trained as a registered general and obstetrics nurse. Dame Kerry gained an MBA from Victoria University of Wellington in 2003, during her mayoralty. She is a Victoria University of Wellington Distinguished Alumna and was awarded a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) in 2011 for her services to local government, and a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (DNZM) in the 2019 New Year's honours list. Dame Kerry is currently Chair of the Wellington Free Ambulance, The Royal New Zealand Ballet, and Wellington Opera. She is also a member of several other boards, including Oceania Healthcare, Fishserve, Wellington International Arts Foundation, Capital Kiwi and New Zealand Community Trust. She is a past member of the Advisory Board for the Victoria University of Wellington MBA programme and is a patron of various charitable organisations including Wellington High Performance Aquatic, Alzheimers NZ, and Mary Potter Hospice

Dame Winnie Laban

Job Titles:
  • Professional Staff Member )

Dani Pickering

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Victoria Honours Committee
  • PGSA Member

Daniel Hayles

Job Titles:
  • Lecturer, Teaching Course Coordinator - Small Ensemble / School of Music

David Long

Job Titles:
  • Lecturer in Composition Film Scoring and Digital Orchestration / School of Music

David McLean

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Finance Committee

Denis Adam

Job Titles:
  • Chairman in Music

Douglas Mews

Job Titles:
  • Early Music Specialist, Keyboard

Dr Daphne Rickson

Job Titles:
  • Supervisor / School of Music

Dr Dave Wilson

Job Titles:
  • Senior Lecturer in Music / School of Music

Dr Ewan Clark

Job Titles:
  • Professional Teaching Fellow in Composition / School of Music

Dr Hamish Robb

Job Titles:
  • Senior Lecturer / School of Music

Dr Jian Liu

Job Titles:
  • Senior Lecturer

Dr Kathryn Mosley

Job Titles:
  • Coordinator of Collaborative Piano / School of Music

Dr Martin Riseley

Job Titles:
  • Associate Professor

Dr Matthew O'Meagher

Job Titles:
  • Latin American CAPE Director

Dr Mo Zareei

Job Titles:
  • Lecturer in Composition / Sonic Arts / School of Music

Dr Ruth Harley

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Board
Ruth is currently the Chair of NZ On Air Irirangi Te Motu. Ruth has a long international career in the screen industry. She was formerly the Commissioning Editor for Television New Zealand (1986-1988) and the inaugural Executive Director of NZ On Air (1989-1995). Ruth was CEO of the New Zealand Film Commission (1997-2008) and Screen Australia (2008-2013). In 1993 Ruth was awarded a New Zealand Suffrage Centennial Medal and she has been acknowledged as a World Class New Zealander. Her contribution to the Kiwi screen industry was recognised with an appointment as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 1996 New Year Honours for her work in broadcasting, and in the 2006 New Year Honours, she was made a Companion of the NZ Order of Merit (CNZM) in recognition for her service to the film industry in New Zealand.

Eden Ee

Job Titles:
  • International Administrator / Student Experience and Wellbeing
  • Student Experience and Wellbeing

Eliza Raymond

Job Titles:
  • Senior Internationalisation Programmes Manager / Wellington University

Ellen Walden-Kyd

Job Titles:
  • Senior Engagement and Alumni Adviser, Communications / Development and Alumni Relations Offic

Emma Smith

Job Titles:
  • Operations Manager / Student and Campus Living

Fraka Harmsen

Job Titles:
  • Director

Gabriel Prinsich

Job Titles:
  • Engagement and Alumni Adviser / Development and Alumni Relations Offic

Gillian Ansell

Job Titles:
  • Associate Professor

Graham Kennedy

Job Titles:
  • Senior Technician / School of Music

Hamish Kheng

Job Titles:
  • Fitness Adviser / Student and Campus Living

Heidi Stedman

Job Titles:
  • Alumni Engagement Manager / Development and Alumni Relations Offic

Helen Dougherty

Job Titles:
  • Senior Engagement and Alumni Adviser / Development and Alumni Relations Offic

Helen Kearney

Job Titles:
  • Recreation Adviser / Student and Campus Living

Helene Pohl

Job Titles:
  • Adjunct Professor

Hon Maryan

Job Titles:
  • Member of the People and Culture Committee
  • Member of the Te Aka Matua - Māori Advisory Committee

Inbal Megiddo

Job Titles:
  • Associate Professor Programme Director for Classical Performance / School of Music

Jacky Loong

Job Titles:
  • Recreation Adviser / Student and Campus Living

James Te Puni

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Finance Committee

Jenny Wollerman

Job Titles:
  • Senior Lecturer / School of Music

Jim Murphy

Job Titles:
  • Senior Lecturer in Sonic Arts / Music Technology / School of Music

John Allen-Chair

Job Titles:
  • Chairman of the People and Culture Committee
  • Chairman of the Victoria Honours Committee
  • Chancellor
  • Member of the Audit and Risk Committee
  • Member of the Board
  • Member of the Finance Committee
  • Member of the Te Aka Matua - Māori Advisory Committee
  • Associate Professor Meegan Hall / Professor Rawinia Higgins
  • Ex - Officio As Chancellor )
John Allen assumed the Chancellorship of Te Herenga Waka-Victoria University of Wellington on 1 January 2022. He is the Chief Executive of WellingtonNZ. Mr Allen chairs the University's Audit & Risk Committee and is a Te Papa Foundation trustee. He was previously the Chief Executive of the Racing Industry Transition Board and the former Chief Executive and Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Prior to joining the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, John was Chief Executive of New Zealand Post. He held a number of senior positions at New Zealand Post before his appointment as its Chief Executive in 2003. A former partner of Rudd Watts & Stone, specialising in commercial and public policy issues, John is a graduate of Victoria University of Wellington and was a visiting lecturer in Law at the University. He received a Distinguished Alumni Award in 2006. John is an experienced company director and was co-chair of the Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum until April 2011.

Josh Ruddock

Job Titles:
  • Student Experience and Wellbeing

Juan Cao


Judge Mugeni Siwale-Mulenga

Job Titles:
  • Judge Mugeni Siwale - Mulenga

Kaea Hudson

Job Titles:
  • Student Member Not on Ngāi Tauira Executive )

Karl Whalen

Job Titles:
  • Associate Director, Sport and Recreation / Student and Campus Living

Kelly Mitchell

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Finance Committee
  • Member of the Te Aka Matua - Māori Advisory Committee
  • Professor Nic Smith

Kimberly Cannady

Job Titles:
  • Associate Dean, Teaching and Equity

Lance Philip

Job Titles:
  • Lecturer

Latesha Smith

Job Titles:
  • Senior Fitness Adviser / Student and Campus Living

Lauren Quaintance

Job Titles:
  • Judge Mugeni Siwale - Mulenga

Le Chi Nguyen

Job Titles:
  • Director of Engagement Asia

Marcail Parkinson-VUWSA Student

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Board
  • Representative
  • VUWSA President
Marcail Parkinson is the 2024 President of the Victoria University Student's Association-Te Aka Tauira. She is studying towards a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations and Art History. As President, Marcail oversees the operational efficacy of the VUWSA team, collaborates with Ngāi Tauira and other student representative entities, and nurtures constructive relationships with university and political stakeholders. Marcail is passionate about student rights and issues. Before coming to Wellington in 2021, Marcail led the school strike for the climate movement in Auckland whilst completing high school and a diploma in Highland dance. This early commitment to activism underscores her unwavering commitment to championing student welfare. Marcail was also the Welfare Vice-President for VUWSA in 2023, running events like sex week and the winter clothing drives. As someone with a strong desire to enhance the student experience, Marcail focuses on tackling pressing concerns and bolstering support in vital areas for students such as the cost of living, health, academia, and housing.

Matthew Reweti

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Te Aka Matua - Māori Advisory Committee
  • External Member

Meegan Hall

Job Titles:
  • Associate Professor Meegan Hall / Professor Rawinia Higgins

Meredith Price

Job Titles:
  • Fitness and Wellbeing Manager / Student and Campus Living

Michael Norris

Job Titles:
  • Associate Professor

Monique Lapins

Job Titles:
  • Lecturer / School of Music

Nikita Kataria


Owen Moriarty

Job Titles:
  • Lecturer, Guitar

Pania Gray

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Audit and Risk Committee
The Finance Committee assists Council in relation to the University's budget, long term capital plan, funding strategy, treasury management, and financial performance.

Peter McDonald

Job Titles:
  • Student and Campus Living University Recreation

Prof John Psathas

Job Titles:
  • Emeritus Professor / School of Music

Prof Peter Walls

Job Titles:
  • Emeritus Professor / School of Music

Prof Sally Jane Norman

Job Titles:
  • Director NZSM / School of Music

Rajneet Kaur

Job Titles:
  • International Student Adviser / Student Experience and Wellbeing

Raphael Hilbron

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Board
  • Founding Partner of Agite Consulting Limited
Raphael is a founding partner of Agite Consulting Limited where he advises a range of private and public sector clients to successfully manage reputation risk. Before joining Agite, Raphael was Managing Partner for a leading communications firm where he worked for 15 years. Prior to that, he was head of corporate responsibility at Vodafone NZ and was seconded to Vodafone Group in the UK for two years. In the early 90s, Raphael worked as a reporter for The Dominion newspaper and as a press secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister. Raphael holds Law and Arts degrees from Victoria University of Wellington and a New Zealand Certificate in Journalism.

Rebecca Needham


Richard Caigou

Job Titles:
  • Senior Technician / School of Music

Rodger Fox

Job Titles:
  • Senior Lecturer / School of Music

Rolf Gjelsten

Job Titles:
  • Adjunct Professor

Rozina Khan

Job Titles:
  • WILP Coordinator / Wellington University

Ryan Stuart

Job Titles:
  • Student Experience and Wellbeing

Sam McPherson

Job Titles:
  • Senior Recreation Adviser / Student and Campus Living

Shannon Pittaway

Job Titles:
  • Head of Brass and Wind, Bass Trombone

Sir Maarten Wevers

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Board
Sir Maarten served as Chief Executive of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet from 2004 until 2012. He was formerly Ambassador to Japan and High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea. He chaired the Senior Officials' Meeting during New Zealand's year as APEC host in 1999. He is Deputy Chair of the Fred Hollows Foundation New Zealand, Chair of the Aspen Institute New Zealand, Patron of the Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve, and Registrar of Pecuniary and other Specified Interests of Members of Parliament. Sir Maarten graduated from Victoria University of Wellington with a BSc (1973) and BA(Hons) in Economics (1976).

Sofia Machray

Job Titles:
  • School Administrator

Souella Cumming

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Board
  • Partner at KPMG
Souella is a partner at KPMG and leads KPMG New Zealand's Infrastructure, Government and Healthcare (IGH) Industry. She has over 40 years' experience in providing risk management, internal audit, project advisory, and governance services to a range of public and private sector clients in New Zealand and overseas. She is a Fellow Chartered Accountant.

Steven Fyfe

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Board

Talia Crockett

Job Titles:
  • International Student Adviser / Student Experience and Wellbeing

Thomas Voyce

Job Titles:
  • Lecturer in Composition / School of Music

Tim Pankhurst

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Board
  • Member of MetService 's Moana Project Management Group
Tim was Chief Executive of Seafood New Zealand from 2013 to 2020, following roles as the General Manager of the Communications and Media Industry Training Organisation (CMITO) and Print NZ and Chief Executive of the Newspaper Publishers' Association. He was previously the editor of four major New Zealand daily newspapers: The Dominion Post, Waikato Times, The Press, and The Evening Post-and had a long career as a journalist in New Zealand and Australia. Tim is a member of MetService's Moana Project management group, which monitors and analyses ocean temperature changes and conducts kai moana research. He is a Big Brothers and Sisters mentor and incoming chair of Predator Free Wellington. He is the author of Roughy on the Rise-a history of the orange roughy fishery-and Every Effing Inch, an account of completing the 3000km Te Araroa Trail with Dame Kerry Prendergast and his wife Sue.

Tricia Walbridge

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Board
  • Adviser and Secretary to the Board of the Te Mana
  • First Executive Director of the Victoria University of Wellington Foundation
Tricia was appointed as the first Executive Director of the Victoria University of Wellington Foundation in 1990. She had worked in the not-for-profit sector in New Zealand since moving from her native UK in 1981. During her time at the Foundation, Tricia was instrumental in leading fundraising efforts to establish some of the University's most iconic institutions such as the International Institute of Modern Letters and the Adam Art Gallery. Her work also enabled the First Light Solar Decathlon project, partnership Chairs at the Wellington School of Business and Government, and numerous student scholarships and prizes, many of which are still offered today. In 2018, Tricia was awarded a Hunter Fellowship by the University Council for her many years of service. Tricia is now an Adviser and Secretary to the Board of the Te Mana o Kupe Trust, supporting disadvantaged youth and families in Porirua by providing devices to children in decile 1 schools with the aim of making digital technology accessible and affordable. Tricia has been supporting the funding efforts for the Living Pā as part of the fundraising Steering Group and has been appointed as an Ambassador for the project.

Victoria Honours

Job Titles:
  • Member of the People and Culture Committee
  • Member of the Victoria Honours Committee
The Victoria Honours Committee makes recommendations to Council regarding the criteria, conferment or award for/of an honorary degree, Hunter Fellowship or any other honorary award which Council may wish to bestow.

Vivian Wei

Job Titles:
  • Student Experience and Wellbeing
Kia ora and Ni Hao, I was born in China and came to Wellington, New Zealand, to study in 2003. During my years of study and living in this ‘coolest little capital in the world', I decided to stay in New Zealand after graduation. I have previously worked in the Science faculty within the University and started my Financial Administrator role in the Scholarships team in 2016.

William Bell-Purchas

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Audit and Risk Committee
  • Professor Brigitte Bönisch - Brednich