SAM BENNETT (Chair)

Tēnā koutou katoa. Nō Taranaki ahau. Ko Sam Bennett Taku Ingoa. Mauri Ora. Sam is a second term Ngāmotu Kaunihera District-Wide Councillor and has 27 years of experience as a career firefighter and more recently as a volunteer, including Civil Defense and Emergency Medical Technician roles.

Sam brings a wealth of governance and emergency management experience including Chair of the NPDC Age and Accessibility Working Party and Age Concern Taranaki, Sponsorship Manager for New Plymouth Operatic Society and CEO and Founder of Speaking Made Easy and Celebrant NZ.

He has wide community networks and reaches out to a broad and varied range of people and groups, helping him to understand his region and its risk profile.

“I am privileged to be able to chair and be part of an experienced group of individuals to use our significant lived experience to better support our communities and I am committed to building a safer, more resilient Aotearoa New Zealand.”

 STEPHEN HOPKINSON (Deputy Chair)

Stephen joined the South Taranaki Veterinary Club, a solely dairy-focused veterinary practice in the 1990s and became the CEO of the business in 2003. He led it through various mergers to form Taranaki Veterinary Centre which currently employs 33 veterinarians and a total of 85 staff.

Stephen is passionate about the dairy industry in New Zealand and ensuring veterinary business continues to play an integral role in the changes and development within the dairy industry.

He was on the committee of dairy cattle vets’ branch of the NZVA for 10 years until 2022 and was President for the final 3 years. Stephen’s also been a volunteer fire fighter for over 32 years with the Manaia and Hawera brigades.

“I am excited and motivated to join the LAC and meet other esteemed members on other committees, along with ensuring I bring the voice of rural communities, in particular dairy industries from South Taranaki.”

 NEIL HOLDOM (Member)

Neil joins the LAC in his third term as Mayor of New Plymouth District Council. His background in the energy sector and work as a management consultant provides him with a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing the region. Neil believes in emphasising community involvement in shaping development for intergenerational well-being.

“My family and I are embedded within the fabric of New Plymouth and I have built extensive community networks and developed a nuanced understanding of local risks that I look forward to sharing with the LAC.”

 TRACY ABEL (Member)

Tracy is a professional business, career and life coach, passionate about supporting people, businesses, committees and boards to discover their true potential. She also runs a successful pilates studio supporting wellness and wellbeing for all ages and fitness levels. Tracy has been involved in committees and boards for several years including as a member and Chair of the local Victim Support Committee, parents representative on the SHGCNP Board of Trustees and as Chair of Flourish, a local organization supporting successful parenting in our community.

“It is important for me to be able to make a difference to create something better whenever I can, and the LAC is a great place to do this.”

 BRENDON REI (Member)

Brendon is the Marae Emergency Preparedness Coordinator for Ngā Iwi o Taranaki. He has a background with NZ Defence Force and Westpac Rescue helicopters, and he has a strong understanding of the risks of the area.

Brendon spends his time helping the community, mentoring Māori youth during the school holidays. His iwi network is wide, he has connections to all iwi around Maunga Taranaki, and he is a known ‘go-to’ person for support or assistance.

Brendon also consults to a number of non-Māori businesses in Taranaki to assist them with navigating a cultural awareness enabling these businesses to have a better understanding of the history and narratives that have shaped the Taranaki landscape.

“Being on the LAC supports my beliefs and desire to ensure our community is prepared for whatever might come at us.”

 DANIEL FLEMING (Member)

Daniel is currently the General Manager and co-owner of King and Queen Hotel Suites in Taranaki. He is Chair of the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce, a Board member of New Zealand Chambers of Commerce, and was a previous Director at the Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki.

“I love the work Fire and Emergency does for our community and I’m looking forward to being on the LAC to support them in order to make our city even safer.”

 ALISHA STONE (Member)

Alisha works in health promotion for Heath NZ, following her role as the Safe Community Programme Manager at New Plymouth Injury Safe.

She has extensive experience working collaboratively with community and working groups, and has experience reporting to a Board and sitting on various sub-committees.

“It is important for me to be able to make a difference to create something better whenever I can.”

 CALLUM WILLIAMSON (Member)

Callum is General Manager Conductive Education Taranaki, which is about empowering kids with neurological conditions to be independent, confident and connected. His governance experience includes as Chair of New Plymouth Injury Safe and from when he was leading the Community Partnerships Team at New Plymouth District Council.

“My passion for making a positive impact, coupled with my experience in strategic planning and community engagement aligns perfectly with the opportunity to address local risks and contribute to the regions resilience”.