DEPOT - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the BOARD
- Related Staff Member
- Developer, and Owner of Birdhouse Digital
Abby Storey is a website developer, and owner of Birdhouse Digital.
Through Birdhouse Digital Abby manages the websites of numerous art spaces, artists, small and medium businesses in Australia and New Zealand. Her areas of expertise include the confluence of good design and usability, accessibility, and technical SEO.
Prior to founding Birdhouse Digital Abby worked in not for profit Arts Management in Australia and New Zealand and has extensive experience in the areas of Visual Arts and Theatre.
Alex serves as the Depot Sound Programme Lead, where he engages in enabling music community events and workshops, alongside his Audio Engineering and Music Production. With his extensive experience in the Audio and Music Industries, he is committed to nurturing the studio and fostering the growth and success of creative individuals within the community.
Alex has collaborated and engineered alongside some of the industry's foremost professionals. Having garnered experience in esteemed recording studios and recently delving into TV Audio and Music, Alex has now returned to Depot Sound to elevate its projects and support its thriving community. Alex also dives into photography, enjoys going to music gigs (even if it occasionally takes a toll on his ears), fails to drink less than 5 coffees a day, and loves producing Alt/Indie & Folk music.
Amy has worked in the arts and creative sector for the last 25 years working with and supporting artists and arts organisations in Aotearoa New Zealand, the UK and internationally. During that time, she has worked alongside artists and creatives, arts organisations and government agencies, finding new ways of supporting artists and the wider sector.
Before joining the DEPOT in 2021 Amy held roles as Senior International Adviser for Creative New Zealand, General Manager of Festivals Edinburgh and Head of Participant Services for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. While working for Festivals Edinburgh Amy co-founded Creative Carbon Scotland, now one of the UK's leading arts and climate change organisations founded on the belief that the role of the arts, screen, cultural and creative industries is essential in contributing to the transformational change to a more environmentally sustainable world.
Amy's thinking and outlook on life and work has always been international but rooted locally and she's been lucky enough to follow a path that has allowed her to explore and connect with ideas and colleagues from around the world for most of her professional life. She is a strong believer in the power of collaboration and in continued exploration and learning in all that we do. She believes that creativity is essential to everyday life and that we should celebrate and nurture the creative in all of us and the world around us.
Job Titles:
- Coach
- Creative Employment Consultant
As a migrant from Colombia, Andry became a Career Coach to help her community to find professional jobs in Aotearoa New Zealand and, by doing so, improving their quality of life.
Trained as an NLP Coach, she believes that everybody can achieve anything they want if they have the right tools and the right mindset. This has been her purpose working as a Creative Employment Consultant at Depot Academy.
What she enjoys the most about being part of Depot is meeting new creatives every week and helping them to find their path and success in life.
Job Titles:
- Wayfind Creative Programme Manager
Catherine brings to DEPOT over two decades of experience in the arts and creative sector and is deeply committed to working with creatives to build sustainable careers. Her approach combines practical guidance with creative insights to foster an environment where artists can embrace their entrepreneurial spirit while staying true to their artistic vision.
Her previous role as Senior Adviser in Creative New Zealand's International team saw her managing their Global Wayfinding programme where she worked closely with artists to strengthen capabilities while embracing fresh approaches to arts practice during the pandemic years. Catherine also managed the team's Focus on Asia programme which built stronger artistic and cultural connections in Asia. Catherine brings with her an extensive background in TV Production Management with her last engagement at IFA Media in Singapore where she worked across offices in Bangkok, Beijing, Singapore, and Taipei delivering programmes for international broadcasters including National Geographic, Discovery, Al Jazeera, History Channel, BBC, and Channel NewsAsia.
Cora-Allan (Ngapuhi, Ngatitumutumu / Alofi, Liku) is a multidisciplinary artist originally from Waitakere. She has a MA in Visual Art and Design in Performance from AUT and was the recipient of a AUT Postgraduate Deans award for her research.
She has exhibited her work throughout Aotearoa and internationally including Australia, Niue, England and Canada. Her work sits in major collections including The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Auckland War Memorial Museum and the Wallace Arts Trust. Cora-Allan was awarded a McCahon House Residency (2021) the Creative New Zealand Pacific Heritage Artist award (2020) and received Annual Arts Grant funding to focus full time on her Hiapo (Niuean Barkclotth) practice in 2021.
She is also a founding member of BC Collective.
Dilohana is an artist, writer and curator based in Tāmaki Makaurau. She was the Gallery Coordinator at Fresh Gallery Ōtara from 2021 to 2023 and is an Archivist at Satellites. She recently completed the writer's residency at RM Gallery and Project Space. In 2022 she curated the exhibition The House is Full at Te Tuhi. In 2021 she was the Associate Curator at the Performance Arcade and was a Facilitator at MEANWHILE from 2017 to 2019.
Job Titles:
- Leader
- Member of the BOARD
Felicity Letcher is a leader within creative industries who has held key positions in industry-led organisations for over twenty years including Red Leap Theatre, Nightsong Productions, Film Auckland, Auckland Screen Alliance and Screen Sector Strategy 2030 committee. She began her producing career in the theatre, producing for comedians and developing the Silo theatres change of strategic direction in the early 2000's.
Felicity began her TV and film industry journey working for Morrison Grieve before moving into freelance production. She worked in production on major features before turning to commercial producing for Flying Fish. With Roger Murray she has helped to establish props and makeup effects company Main Reactor as a major creative force in New Zealand screen sector. Their film work has included Spartacus, Legend of the Seeker, Ash Versus Evil Dead, Shannara, The Meg and Mulan.
During Covid Felicity convened and chaired the Screen Covid 19 Action Group and post-Covid worked with NZTE, Screen Canterbury and Film Bay of Plenty with developing strategic plans for studios and regional film offices.
Felicity has been working as a mentor and teacher on DEPOT's Wayfind Creative Programme since its inception in 2021.
Karen Fraser Payne brings a unique blend of experience to the DEPOT board spanning 35 years across corporate, government, and not-for-profit sectors.
Her professional practice and voluntary board roles have included diverse entities, Auckland Airport, The Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment, Touch Compass Dance Trust, and Hohepa Homes. Karen began her trustee work as a founding director of Touch Compass Dance Trust and is a former trustee of Hohepa Auckland.
She is a current Board member of DANZ Aotearoa and Mapura Studios.
Karen has in-depth experience in and an understanding of disability and the arts. She is passionate about ensuring equal rights in the arts for those living with disabilities.
Terehia (Ngapuhi, Tainui, Te Atiawa, Itāria) brings an extensive professional background of kaitohutohu and kaiako (tutor) roles in non-profit spaces to Depot. As a local of Te Hau Kapua Devonport she is passionate about sharing her culture and doing everything with community at heart. Terehia has introduced karakia, waiata, mihi, pepeha and tikanga in everyday practice across the organisation. She has a passion for music and is not shy to plug out a few waiata from different cultures.
Lisani is a creative at heart and is also a highly skilled business person. With a background in textile & costume design, photography and graphic design, Lisani is blessed with a rare and wonderful mixture of creativity and business.
Having a wide breadth of experience in the fashion industry spanning over 26 years, Lisani ran her own business for 10 of those years designing and manufacturing NZ made women's clothing. Lisani offers strategic advice, creative direction and a pragmatic solution focussed approach. In her role at DEPOT Lisani supports each team to ensure they are running are smoothly as possible and feels she has found her niche in supporting creativity through a sound business approach.
With a background in fine art, design and music, Mack's interests perfectly align with Depot's breadth of programmes. He values the opportunity to learn from other creatives while further developing his own digital communication skills and supporting Tāmaki Makarau's creative community.
Malcolm is passionate about helping harness and grow artistic and creative talent in Aotearoa. With over 25 years experience in both the public and private sectors, in legal, strategy and investment roles, across a broad range of industries, Malcolm brings a wealth of experience to the DEPOT board.
Malcolm has developed a special appreciation and respect for the creative industries and currently as General Manager Commercial and Business Development for Tataki Auckland Unlimited, manages two of the largest film studios in the country and has been heavily involved in the investment and development of the Auckland screen sector over the last 4 years.
Malcolm believes in the creative sector, for essential community well-being but also as an economic powerhouse. Malcolm is a local to Devonport, Te Hau Kapua, and wants to see the greater Tamaki creative sector thrive.
Job Titles:
- Industry Liaison
- Industry Liaison / Communications
Residing in Tāmaki Makaurau, Writer-Director Mary-Lyn Chambers was born in Fiji and raised in Nauru and Aotearoa. She has worked in Los Angeles, London and Doha and is known for tackling stories about inequality in the narrative space in mixed languages. Chambers is a directing Fellow from the Sony Pictures Television Diverse Directors Program, Film Independent and the Directors and Editors Guild of Aotearoa New Zealand's Female Incubator. Diversity in Cannes named her top ten female directors to watch.
In 2023, Chambers participated in the inaugural Five in a Room: A Television Series Writer's Room, breaking five series over five weeks to develop showrunners in Aotearoa. Separately, she was among ten artists selected out of 257 to participate in the prestigious Ch teau de la Napoule artist residency in the South of France.
Chambers is developing a historical crime drama series set in 1920s Mexico and penning a New Zealand-based series exploring a toxic man's journey coming to terms with his influence on a suicide during the Springbok Tour. Separately, Creative New Zealand funded KARANGA, a collaboration with Māori choreographer Merenia Gray for Sky TV, which premiered at Mōariland and the Wairoa Māori Film Festival.
2019 Chambers created a bilingual PSA series about childhood trauma for broadcast and social media campaigns. Her Imagen Award-nominated short film pilot TIJUANA screened at Slamdance, Bentonville, and HollyShorts and was selected for Content London in their Short2Series programme.
Chambers won Best TV Pilot at the Downtown Los Angeles Film Festival, Best International Short Film at the Manchester Film Festival and Best Female Director at HollyShorts. Her film exploring child refugees screened at The American Pavilion, Diversity in Cannes, and participated in the United Nations Refugee Voices in Film Conference at the Cannes Film Festival.
Chambers spent a decade as the Associate Producer of the Spirit Awards and worked as an Event Producer for the LA Film Festival, Denver International Film Festival and in Qatar for the Doha Tribeca Film Festival.
Raised as an activist, Chambers is vocal about justice, inclusion and equality.
Job Titles:
- Co - Chair of the Board
- Member of the BOARD
As the founder and creative director at Tanker Creative since 2003, Nicola and her team focus on enabling brand, web and social for ambitious creative professionals. Her main interests are in technology, creative practice and diversity, which she integrates into her business DNA by ensuring a respect for culture, ethnicity, sexuality, gender, social, economic and people with disabilities.
Job Titles:
- Studio Manager / Audio Engineer
With roots in guitar grunge and burgeoning pop tendencies, Noah has applied his insatiable musical obsessions to become one of the most in-demand producer/engineers on the Auckland scene.
A master of technical research, Noah's practical experience was honed through 10 years of recording experimentation in his home studio. Noah then went public with the release of his band Universal Authors' EP Error 404. From there he was selected by the NZ Music Commission for an internship alongside industry legend Neil Baldock at Depot Sound, an experience that changed everything. He's been working at Depot Sound for over 18 months now, and has stepped up to a senior role in 2022.
Noah has a passion for drums, as well as playing keys, guitar and bass. He brings genuine excitement and focussed energy to his recording, a process that puts the musician at the centre. Drop him an email to book your session.
Job Titles:
- Creative Employment Consultant
Rebecca has been working in tertiary and secondary education for the past fifteen years as a Career and Employability Specialist helping students and graduates with their career pathways. She has a passion for bridging the gap between education and careers and enabling her clients to find work that is meaningful for them regardless of which life stage they're at. She has worked closely with art and design, business, IT, education and international students and developed career programmes to support them on their journey from study to work and beyond.
She takes a holistic approach that looks at all the influences in a client's life, their goals and the realities of society as she understands how hard it can be to navigate the ever changing world of work.
Rebecca plays the piano and is part of her church worship band. She also loves baking where she gets to combine her creative and technical mind especially when it comes to baking for those with dietary requirements.
She hopes that as a Creative Employment Consultant that she can empower those on the programme to find meaningful work in their creative career.
In 1987 Robyn was introduced into the art world through a friend while living in Mildura, Victoria Australia. She completed B.F.A. painting U.C.N.V Bendigo an affiliate with La Trobe University Melbourne. Returning to New Zealand in 1994, Robyn became associated with Depot Artspace. She completed her M.F.A. Sculpture, Elam School of Fine arts in 2000 and continues to work professionally as an artist, exhibiting and participating in installation, outdoor sculpture, painting and assemblage projects in both New Zealand and Australia.
At Depot Artspace, Robyn oversees all technical aspects of exhibition installations and offers advice to artists with regards to pricing their work and other issues that may arise to do with the overall display of their work.
Job Titles:
- Member of the BOARD
- Recruitment Partner
Rose-Marie [Rosey] Nathan is an experienced Recruitment Partner, Career & Leadership Mentor, and Business Consultant with over 20 years of expertise across various industries. As a certified Chartered Manager and Fellow of the Institute of Managers and Leaders, she advocates for diversity and inclusion, with a focus on accelerating women's entry and mid-level careers.
Her areas of focus include recruitment, career and leadership mentorship, CV and interview preparation, industry insights, and mediation skills. She delivers results through her hands-on approach, strong negotiation skills, and high energy.
Job Titles:
- Wayfind Creative Administrator
Sharon (Ngai Tai Torere, Pākeha) has spent many years as an Administrator in many different industries, from Investigation to TVNZ and now Depot Academy where she works to find meaningful work for the creatives who complete the Wayfind Creative program.
Sharon was born in Tāmaki Makauru Auckland and has lived in Australia and the US. She loves art galleries, music (live and recorded) and food, but not necessarily in that order! She is inspired by people and their stories and the opportunity to help people achieve their creative futures.
Job Titles:
- Administrator & Social Media Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Member of the BOARD
- Related Staff Member
Tam is a not-for-profit specialist who works on most aspects of operations and governance, with particular emphasis on finance. He started out in the commercial sector before moving almost exclusively to working with community organisations, many of these art focused.
Job Titles:
- Administrator & Kaitohutohu ( Cultural Advisor )
Job Titles:
- Co - Chair of the Board
- Member of the BOARD
- Related Staff Member
Wayne is a Devonport local with a recreational interest in the arts, and an admiration for the way Depot fosters and promotes them in the Devonport community and beyond. His background is in tertiary and international education, and in representing the interests of various sectors within that.
He celebrates Depot's wide range of activities, including the education and training of creatives.