Board of Trustees

John Turrall has been a trustee at Matea since 2013 and became Chairperson in 2018. He is married to Reese and has a son Richard who works at Matea in the vocational team three days a week, and became a resident of Matea late in 2020.  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 five days a week in Matea’s Vocational Team, and is also a resident of Matea. Grant lives with his wife Deborah 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 joined the Board in 2018, and 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.”

Stuart joined our board in 2020. Stuart, subsequent to work in journalism and as a ceramic artist, has worked in the disability sector for 42 years, predominantly in management and teaching roles in New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom. In 2016 he was awarded the disability peak body, New Zealand Disability Support Network’s 2016 Long Service Award. Stuart founded the organisation A Supported Life in 1995 and continues to carry some of the responsibility for it’s leadership, vision and development.  Stuart lives in Thames and currently commutes to Auckland regularly.

Rosanne is a new board member, and an auntie to Richard Turrall, a resident at Matea Trust. She is a primary school teacher with a special interest in music.  Rosanne is also a qualified social worker and has worked for hospitals and community services both here and in the UK.  She lives with her husband, and the youngest of four grown up children at Waiake Beach. Rosanne believes Matea is a very special place by providing a caring supported environment in a beautiful rural setting.  She is keen to work together with the Board to ensure a strong future for Matea.