A Meet the Candidates event will be held at school on Tuesday 26 August at 7pm in KHCL. For those who can’t attend in person, please join online via this Google Meet link here.
Meet the Candidates for 2025 parent-elected Board members
Ryan Pellett
As a parent of five children with a mix of neurodiverse and neurotypical needs, I’ve come to deeply appreciate how varied the needs of young people can be, both in and out of the classroom.
One of my children currently attends Western Springs College, and our family’s experience across different schools has made it clear to me that education should never be a one size fits all model.
Every child deserves a learning environment that is flexible, responsive, and inclusive of who they are. I believe strongly in the importance of schools being able to adapt, whether that means offering different pathways, more creative support systems, or simply cultivating a culture where individuality is embraced and celebrated.
I’m committed to contributing to a school board that supports this kind of environment at Western Springs, where every student, regardless of their learning style, background, or abilities, can feel seen, valued, and set up to thrive.
Daniel Haines
Kia ora, I’m Daniel Haines, and I’m standing for election to the Western Springs College Board of Trustees.
I’m the parent of a Year 10 student, Cole, and I bring a deep belief in the transformative power of education and the importance of strong, values-driven governance in public institutions.
In my current role at Auckland Council, I help lead strategic work across major issues like transport, housing, and how the council partners with Māori communities. My work focuses on long-term planning, public accountability, and system change — often working directly with senior leaders, elected members, and community groups to get things moving.
Before this, I worked at a national consultancy firm supporting government agencies and iwi to develop better partnerships, strategies, and performance systems. I also spent four years in a leadership role at Tāmaki Makaurau’s urban regeneration agency, working on public spaces and housing developments across the city.
Alongside my day job, I serve on several national boards. I was Deputy Chair of the Academic Quality Agency (like the Education Review Office, but for universities) and now chair the People Committee for the Workforce Development Council that oversees qualifications and skills training in construction and infrastructure. This work gives me a strong understanding of education, equity, and what it takes to prepare young people for the future.
This experience has taught me that good governance matters — not just in setting direction, but in building trust, staying focused on outcomes, and making space for diverse voices. As a trustee, I’d bring a collaborative, thoughtful approach and a clear commitment to working in partnership with the principal, staff, students, and whānau.
Springs has a vibrant school culture and a reputation for doing things differently. Together, we can protect that strength while making sure every student has the support they need to thrive — especially ākonga Māori, Pacific students, neurodiverse learners, and others who face barriers to education.
If elected, I’d be honoured to contribute my experience to the collective mahi of the board.
Ngā mihi nui,
Daniel Haines
Min Ji
I hope that students can study safely and actively in school, and that parents can provide support and help!
Andrew Beuth
Hi everyone, my name is Andrew Beuth and I am standing for the Western Springs College Board. I currently have two children at WSC, Avery in year 11 and Greta in year 9. I have two more children who will be coming to WSC in the next few years so we will be a Springs family for the long haul!
For the last six years I have had the privilege of being on the Bayfield School Board, most recently as Board Chair for three years. I have been lucky enough to be part of a collaborative Board, working closely with the principal to deal with many significant matters, including adapting to Covid, the introduction of the Structured Literacy and Mathematics curriculums and senior leadership recruitment. Over the last six years I have learned a huge amount about the governance role of School Boards across many areas, including finance and property, student behaviour and wellbeing and strategic planning. I would now like to take my learnings from Bayfield and use those experiences to contribute to the WSC Board.
For the last ~14 years I have worked at ANZ. During that time I have held senior leadership positions and had responsibility for a broad range of matters, including strategy planning and execution, delivery of transformation projects, oversight of business risk governance and championing the people and culture agenda. I believe that the skills and attributes required to undertake these roles – including effective communication, strong leadership and sound risk judgement – are complimentary to those needed for a board governance role.
I would value the opportunity to join the WSC board and support our fantastic school and the Springs community.
Angela Bowes
Passionate Leadership. Safe Learning. Strong Futures.
As a proud parent of a Western Springs College student and a Point Chevalier resident for the past seven years, I care deeply about the success, safety, and well-being of our school community. I am standing for the Board of Trustees because I believe every student deserves an environment where they can learn, grow, and feel supported to reach their full potential.
My professional background is in leadership, organisational development, and problem solving—primarily in sales and team leadership. These skills have equipped me to work collaboratively, navigate complex challenges, and make decisions with clarity and fairness. As a Master Practitioner in Neuro-Linguistic Programming, I also bring valuable insight into communication, motivation, and people behaviour, which I see as vital to supporting both academic and personal success.
Beyond my professional experience, I am actively engaged in our wider community through
Life Central Church in Mt Eden, where I have developed a strong foundation in service, collaboration, and values-based leadership. My faith, family life, and passion for empowering young people shape my belief that the well-being of our students must always be at the heart of decision-making.
As a mother, wife, and dedicated community member, I will approach this role with energy, open-mindedness, and a deep sense of responsibility. I am passionate about seeing Western Springs College thrive, and I would be honoured to represent our community on the Board of Trustees.
Gordon Harcourt
Our school is a special place and I want to be part of helping our kids achieve their potential at Springs/Waiōrea. If elected to the Board I’ll bring a particular focus: increasing participation in and support of sport at Springs, as a tool to help achieve our strategic priorities including better attendance and greater community engagement.
In a school of 1800 we have just one cricket team (which exists because of the amazing passion of one couple) and we have one hockey team. Our staff do wonderful work and I want to help elevate and grow what they do.
I know sport isn’t for everyone – I’m from a performing arts family – but it can do so much to grow school spirit. I love being part of school life by turning up and helping at games and I want to see more students and whānau more energised about sport and sports teams at our school. I’m inspired by the astonishing kapa haka success of Ngā Puna o Waiōrea. It brings mana to our school and those who are part of it. It would be amazing to see our sports teams bring similar mana to our school, but getting kids to turn up for 7am practice is just as important in my book.
I’ve coached kids’ cricket and football in our community for years and I have one basic yardstick of success: did that kid come back the next season? Let’s get Springs kids playing sport and keep them playing, no matter their ability. We must all know parents and kids who’ve looked elsewhere because they don’t see enough sporting opportunities here. Let’s persuade them they do have opportunities here.
I’d like to lead fundraising, for example to re-lay our number 1 football field, re-build our cricket nets, and get a better hockey turf.
I would be a newcomer to school governance but I bring experience in a wide variety of professional environments: media, government and corporate. I’m a communications professional after a long career in TV journalism here and in the UK, most notably as presenter of TVNZ Fair Go. I’ve lived in our community since 2008 and grew up in Wellington. I’ve put huge energy into the sports teams I’ve coached and found that immensely satisfying. I’d bring that same energy to our Board. Most of all I’d bring a desire to help our kids and our school succeed.
Kiri Patricia Donaldson
Tēnā koutou e te whānau whānui o Western Springs College I Ngā Puna o Waiōrea,
Ko Kiri Donaldson tōku ingoa. He uri ahau nō Ngāti Kahu, Ngāti Pōrou, Te Whānau-ā-Apanui me Ngāti Irish. I’m a proud māmā of a Year 10 student and a passionate advocate for inclusive, culturally grounded education that supports the wellbeing and success of all ākonga.
Since 2010, I’ve served on school boards across Tāmaki Makaurau. My governance experience includes being the Te Whānau Pounamu Representative at Kōwhai Intermediate (2010–2013), Parent Representative at Newton Central School (2016–2022) under a co-governance model, and currently Parent Representative at Kōwhai Intermediate (2022–2025).
At Newton Central, I worked within a co-governance structure that uplifted mana whenua and Māori leadership alongside school leadership. This experience not only deepened my understanding of authentic partnership and shared decision-making, but also strengthened whānau connections with one another. It powerfully demonstrated the living purpose of Te Tiriti o Waitangi within a Māori medium education system that sits cohesively alongside mainstream education. I see strong alignment with the kaupapa of Western Springs College I Ngā Puna o Waiōrea, and I am committed to upholding and supporting both pathways.
During my time at Newton Central, I also held responsibility for the Property Portfolio, contributing to strategic planning that balanced cultural values, community needs, and future-focused learning environments. As a board member during the Covid-19 pandemic, I helped guide our kura through lockdowns, mandates, and rapid changes – prioritising open communication, care for staff and whānau, and ākonga wellbeing.
In my current board role, I have led the development of a succession plan and induction pack for incoming members – vital work that ensures cultural responsibility, policy clarity, and sustainable governance moving forward.
Professionally, I work across project management, creative industries, and community development. I bring strategic thinking, collaborative leadership, and a deep respect for the diverse communities our schools serve. I’m committed to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, whānau voice, and creating inclusive spaces where all learners can thrive.
I would be honoured to represent our community on the Western Springs College I Ngā Puna o Waiōrea Board of Trustees and contribute to the continued success, mana, and integrity of our kura.
Ngā manaakitanga,
Kiri Donaldson
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