Governance
Our Board
Michelle Urquhart
National Chair
Nō Kōtirana ōku tūpuna
Kei te noho ahau i raro te tirohanga o te maunga o Ngongotahā
Ko Hamurana te wai ora o te rohe
E noho ana ahau i te rohe o te iwi o Ngāti Rangiwewehei
Ko Ko Michelle Urquhart tōku ingoa
My ancestors are from Scotland
I was born in the shadow of Mt Ngongotaha
Hamurana Springs are the living waters of my area
I live in the rohe of Ngati Rangiwewehei
My name is Michelle Urquhart
I am a long time member of the Scouting Movement, and I know first hand the difference Scouts makes in young people's lives. I was born and raised in Rotorua and returned there in 2006 after living overseas and in Auckland, Hamilton, Christchurch and Otaki.
Having started out as a Brownie, Guide and Ranger (achieving my Queen’s Guide Award), I went on to join Venturers as a 16 year old. I have a good understanding of the Movement from the ground level up having held roles across the organisation such as Scout Leader and Zone Venturer Leader. Running the Scout Summer Camp at Waitawheta for several years, as well as attending many Jamborees and Ventures has also provided an understanding of the challenges many of our Volunteers have to overcome to deliver an exceptional experience for our youth.
Michelle Urquhart is a barrister and workplace resolution specialist running her own business. She specialises in advising on and resolving tricky employment issues through early resolution techniques, mediation, investigation and providing legal advice. She brings a wealth of skills in managing diverse opinion and views towards positive outcomes.
Georgie Holdaway
Deputy Chair
Profession: Forest Engineer, Though I currently work for Fulton Hogan as an Civil Engineer.
Where you are from in the Motu: Born and Raised in Nelson and have just moved back after 8 years away in Christchurch and Gisborne.
Why you are motivated to volunteer: I love seeing youth push themselves and learn how to be young leaders.
Scouting Background: I started as a pippin and then moved across to cubs when my group closed. I went through scouts with Iron Duke in Nelson and completed my Queen's Scout award there.While at university in Christchurch I got involved in rovers and volunteered as a scout leader. I continued volunteering as a scout and then venturer leader during my time in Gisborne while also joining the national council and then the board. I am now back at my childhood scout group with a scout section.
What I bring To the Board: I have a strong background in health safety and risk management after working 4 years in the regulatory compliance space as an environmental compliance officer for the forestry and civil construction sectors. I am also the current national boating advisor where I can share my knowledge and experience of boating safety with the organisation to ensure we are undertaking these activities safely.
Raani Kelderman
National Commissioner
Kia ora!
Ko te tirangi te maunga
Ko Piha te awa
Ko manuka-o-hotunui te moana
Kei Puketāpapa eh noho ana
He uri o ngati tati mana ki te taha o toku papa
He uri o india ke whītī ki te taha o toku mama
He Robotics Automation Engineer e mahi ana au
Ko Scouts Aotearoa taku mahi aroha
Ko Raani Kelderman toku ingoa
Tena koutou katoa
Namaste
Goedendag
Kia ora! My name is Raani Kelderman, a local Scout Section Kaiarahi at Motu Moana Green Bay and your National Commissioner for Scouts Aotearoa!
I am an avid bookworm, keen hiker and love getting out in the surf at Piha. Whilst I am partial to a good campfire with marshmallows, my true passion is empowering young people, so that they can be today's leaders of innovation and sustainability.
Outside of Scouts, in my paid job, I work as a Robotics and Automation Engineer focusing on enriching the safety and sustainability of manufacturing and food industries. However, a key highlight of my week is being a Kaiarahi supporting youth through adventures and watching their faces light up as they achieve their goals.
Week to week, I am constantly reminded about how impressive our organisation is in creating unique experiences that teach young people essential life skills such as teamwork, leadership and risk management whilst keeping it fun. These experiences inspire me as National Commissioner to look to the future of Scouts to ensure we remain relevant and can continue to provide such amazing opportunities to the taiohi of Aotearoa for the next 100 years.
I am determined to support Scouts in continuing to make a positive impact on our communities, but more importantly make a difference in the lives of our youth, their whanau and our volunteers.
If you would like to join the journey and reach out; feel free to contact me
[email protected] or https://www.facebook.com/nationalcommissioner
Liam Hewson
Board Member
Kia ora koutou
I tipu ake au i raro i te maunga o Kapukataumahaka
No Ōtepoti ahau
He tauira au ki Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka
Ko Liam Hewson toku ingoa
Tena koutou katoa
Profession: Taonga Natural Products Chemist
Where you are from in the Motu: Ōtepoti Dunedin
Why you are motivated to volunteer: I love seeing youth tackle adventure, pushing their boundaries and growing as future leaders! I’ve been lucky to have many people invest in me and want to support the next generation - aroha mai, aroha atu
Scouting Background: Been in scouts since Keas with Macandrew Bay Scouts and Anderson’s Bay Sea Scouts, achieving my Queens Scout and now volunteering across National Events and Governance spaces. I am currently an Associate of Anderson’s Bay Sea Scouts.
What do I bring to the Board? I bring experience in community partnerships and iwi engagement built through my Masters degree, in addition to analytical research skills. I have undertaken a complex research project on taonga species, engaging with three community partners to understand the composition and variation of samples from their rohe, and confidentially communicating to promote a shared understanding of the opportunities.
I have experience in youth-focussed organisation governance and management with the New Zealand International Biology Olympiad, running an advanced biology extension programme for high school students, and through the Otago University Tramping Club, the largest club at Otago University with ~800 members and 10 major club trips (>85 participants). I have a passion for events and adventure, helping orchestrate multiple weekend expeditions across the South Island, and contributing to the last Jamboree & Venture.
Emma Bayliss
Board Member
Kia ora I'm Emma! I am a Chartered Accountant, and co-founder of an accounting practice in Rotorua called Elevation Network.
Born in the UK, calling NZ home for the last 20 years and Rotorua home for the last 8 years, I love getting outdoors and riding my horses, exploring the beautiful lakes or hitting the pavement for a run. I love to cook, creating memories with friends and family, and if there's time left at the end of the day you'll find me curled up with a good book.
From a non-scouting background, I am part of this amazing kaupapa for the incredible work Scouts does for the community. Being part of the Board means helping shape the organisation for generations to come. I bring commercial and accounting acumen to the board, as have held both operational and financial roles in my career. It’s a true privilege to be involved with Scouts.
Olivia (Liv) Baines
Board Member
Profession: Law Student
Where you are from in the Motu: Born in Vancouver but have lived in Auckland for the past eleven years.
Why you are motivated to volunteer: I love seeing young people step outside of their comfort zones and develop new skills and friendships. I have encountered many incredible opportunities during my time in Scouting and want to support other young people to do the same.
Scouting Background: I have been in Scouts since Cubs with Hawke Sea Scouts. I have also been a member of National Council for two years, and am currently a leader for the Kea unit at Hawke Sea Scouts.
Darryn Wilkie
Board Member
Professional Background:
With over 25 years of experience in the construction industry including over 12 years’ experience in senior manager and director roles, I have developed a profound understanding of the critical role I undertake as a board member for Scouts Aotearoa. My career journey has encompassed roles such as Senior Quantity Surveyor – W Hamilton Building Ltd, National Procurement Manager – Cook Brothers Construction, Business Manager – Select Recruitment (Part of AWF Madison group), Managing Director – Landmark Homes Central Otago, and recently as Board Intern for Delta Utility Services where I honed my expertise in building solid enduring relationships, diverse and strong networks, and astute governance. My professional demeanor and unwavering commitment to excellence have earned me recognition and respect within the construction and property industries, and governance world.
Scouting Background:
My journey with Scouts Aotearoa began 42 years ago, when I first joined as a cub. Over the years, I have actively participated as a youth member, adult leader in both Scouts and Venturer sections, Regional Venturer Leader, actively involved in various initiatives, regional and national events, demonstrating my dedication to the values and mission of Scouts Aotearoa. My roles have evolved overtime, where I have contributed to the development and growth of our youth members, adult leaders, and programmes. I’m really excited about the challenges that lay ahead for Scouts Aotearoa as the National Board and National Council teams work together to grow the organisation back to its former strength across Aotearoa.
Melanie Stanley
Board Member
Profession: Social Worker
Where you are from in the Motu: Ōtepoti Dunedin is where I am from, Waihōpai Invercargill is where I live!
Why you are motivated to volunteer: I like to support others to achieve their goals and aspirations and volunteering gives me a way to do this. I’ve volunteered with many organisations and in a variety roles and enjoy the diverse experiences it has given me.
Scouting Background: I was a Brownie and Girl Guide way back when and became a Cub Leader with Jellicoe Sea Scouts when my son joined as a Scout. Since then I have held various Group, Zone and National volunteer roles. I am currently the National Advisor, Adults in Scouting as well as a Board Member.
What do I bring to the Board? My key areas of knowledge are safeguarding practices and diversity and inclusion. I also bring to the Board an understanding of the Youth Development sector and the positives and challenges that youth face in an ever changing world.
Our National Council
Alexander Poole
Andrew Whitt
Brian Corney
Christine Halliday
Elliott Holder
Finley Matheson
Isobella Comber
John Lawson
Johnnita Houghton
Jordan Mills
Justin Stewart
Kelvin Sim
Louis Hewitson-Townley
Madeline Ellis
Malachi Beekmeyer
Max Webb
Mike McKay
Mike Smith
Molly Mexted
Nichola Livingstone
Olivia Cooke
Rebecca Amos
Rory Macgregor
Shanna Verhoef
Steve Archer
Steve Comber
FOR ALL YOUNG PEOPLE
We welcome rangatahi and tamariki between the ages of 5 to 26. We are open to young people of all ethnicities and religions. We are the worlds largest non-formal education institution, serving over 13,000 young people all across New Zealand. We organise ourselves around five sections.Ages 5 to 8 KEA
AGES 8 TO 11 CUBS
AGES 11 TO 14 SCOUTS
AGES 14 TO 18 VENTURERS
AGES 18 TO 26 ROVERS
