Board of Trustees

John Turrall has been a trustee at Matea for five years. He is married to Reese and has a son Richard who works at Matea in the vocational team three days a week.  John lives and works in Devonport as a Solicitor. As Chairperson of the trust, John is driven to see Matea go from strength to strength and looks forward to working alongside the other trustees and all staff members to make Matea Trust a success on every level that will see the residential, as well as vocational clients, have opportunities to continue living and learning life skills that make them feel valued and needed in our community.

Andrew McNeil is a local resident of Dairy Flat and has been involved with Matea for many years; first as a recipient of their firewood service and sometime later he was offered the opportunity to become a staff member in the Vocational department. After his period of employment Andrew was offered a position on the Board of Trustees and has been involved with the growth of Matea from humble beginnings to the established rural lifestyle home and work place that Matea is today. Andrew says: “I am excited with the enthusiasm and talent of Matea’s current board members and staff.  I look forward to the growth this exciting team can bring to the challenged members of our community.”

Grant has been a Trustee since 2017, his son works four days a week in Matea’s Vocational Team. Grant lives with his wife Deborah, Son Blake and Daughter Zara in Northcote Point, Auckland’s Northshore. He has worked locally and internationally in the advertising, marketing and print industries. With the past 15 years operating an Auckland based business in the print industry. Previously he has been involved in other organisations that provide a range of services to those with intellectual disabilities and holding a variety of roles, Volunteer, Trustee, Chairperson etc. As with everyone involved in Matea, he works to provide the guys with the absolute best environment. He would like to see the services expanded to bring these benefits to an even greater number of individuals.

Karen Hellyer is our newest member to the board, who joined this year. She has been involved with Matea Trust since 2016 when her eldest son Andrew, moved into the Matea Residential House and joined the vocational team in the firewood distribution. Her vested interest in the future of Matea has motivated her to become more involved. Karen grew up on the Hibiscus Coast and has lived and worked here in the dental industry for many years. She has two grownup children and they love to spend quality time together as a family and this includes travelling - preferably somewhere warm! Karen says:  “I look forward to working with the other Trustees in continuing to make Matea the best it can be.”