Haydn Staples
Founder/Trustee

Haydn commenced his business career as a chartered accountant and after 10 years went into business on his own account. His first business venture was in the textile trade and he subsequently followed his principle interests founding his companies in property and finance.

Haydn is particularly enthusiastic about the ‘’ripple effect’’ of giving whereby one bequest can change lives and  benefit many more  people in addition to  the initial beneficiary. Haydn founded the APO Piano Scholarship which promotes musical excellence to students. The benefit to the initial c.50 students via a range of performance and teaching opportunities now radiates out to hundreds more   in the community. And is still growing.

Haydn feels privileged to be able to give ex Dilworth students a helping hand through the SEF funding initiative throughout their tertiary education.  The SEF is designed to complement the outstanding education and investment that Dilworth provides  its students by facilitating their tertiary education once they leave the supportive environment of Dilworth. The SEF objectives are simply to enable Dilworth students get a tertiary education, a job and give back to Dilworth. Additionally,  the SEF knows that each student will have his own enduring  trickle down or ‘’ripple effect’’ by inspiring existing Dilworth students to strive to  achieve greater things in their lives; and by being a living example to his family of what a Dilworth student can achieve.

Ian Redshaw
Chair

Over the last 25 years Ian has held various directorships in the charitable and property sectors, with the last few years as a director and owner of BC Group (Building Compliance Group Limited).  He has a Bachelor of Commerce from Lincoln University, is currently the Chairman of the Bledisloe Royston Trust (part of the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind) and Director and owner of Plastic Rotational Moulding Limited.

 “After getting to know a number of Dilworth boys by providing them with work experience, it was clear they were an exceptional group of people.  From these relationships, I wanted to be able to give back by assisting to set up this scholarship and enable Dilworth boys to successfully transition from secondary school into tertiary study and then ultimately help them get a job. For me there is nothing more rewarding than being able to assist young people to achieve their goals and have a better life”.

Gregory Shanahan
Trustee

Gregory Shanahan is a lawyer who has made a practice of dedicating a substantial portion of his time to various local and national charities, serving on the boards of Charitable Trusts dedicated to education, orchestral music, the promotion of the interests of the physically disabled, research and development of the treatment of heart disease and the Catholic Church. Having enjoyed a long working relationship with the Dilworth Trust it was natural for Gregory to promote the establishment and ongoing work of the Staples Education Foundation and everything it aims to achieve to help young people close the gap between secondary education and the realization of their dreams.

Jonathan Staples
Trustee

Jonny has spent the last ten years with both Urban Partners and its sister company, Cressida Capital involved with investment, research, planning, strategy and business development.

Jonny is also a trustee of Mindful Money, a charity that promotes ethical investment. Prior to joining the group, Jonny lived in Sydney working at Macquarie Bank and completing his MBA.

Jonny also spent several years in London working in the not-for-profit sector in the early 2000’s. 

Karen Bennett
General Manager

Karen has spent over 25 years in education at secondary schools in New Zealand and London.

In parenting her three teenagers with her Dilworth educated husband she has a unique appreciation of the school's values. Her family life revolves around sports and leisure time is spent enjoying the great outdoors.

“As a teacher and Head of Department she has gained immense satisfaction mentoring many secondary school students and teachers to help develop them for success in their careers and future endeavours.”

Karen says she has the best job in the world.  There is something new every single day and she gets to see people’s lives transformed!

Email: kbennett@sefscholar.org.nz

Jane Haines
Corporate Account Manager

Jane has a BCom from the University of Canterbury and she has worked as a Chartered Accountant for PwC in Wellington, London, Budapest and Delhi. In many of these roles she was involved in developing the young people in the office and thus her interest in helping youth was born. 

Since returning home to New Zealand, Jane has mentored two wonderful students helping them transition from school to success at university. 

Jane’s role as SEF’s Corporate Account Manager is to find placements for our students. She has many contacts in a variety of organisations and feels sure some of them will be future employers for an SEF Student, but she will be looking for even more so please feel free to let her know if you would like to add your support to our programme.

Email: jhaines@sefscholar.org.nz

Chris de Lautour
Programme Support Manager

Chris started work as the SEF Programme Support Manager in February to provide support to our growing foundation.  She has degrees in Commerce and Physical Education from the University of Otago, In addition to running her own hygiene business, Chris enjoyed a governance role of 9 years on the Board of Grafton United Cricket Club.  Chris's father and uncles attended Dilworth School, with her father a past President of the Old Boys Association.  Chris has a son and daughter at university, and the family interests include road cycling, golf and cricket.

Email: chris@sefscholar.org.nz

Helene Richard-Marsters
Administration Support

Helene is a young professional who has experience in key accounts, projects management, sales and customer services within the security and retail sectors. Helene joined Urban Partners  in December 2022 and she is working within the administration, marketing, legal and SEF teams.  We are delighted to have Helene on board.

Helene enjoys collaborating with young people. She is a sponsor of Big Brother Big Sisters of New Zealand, which is part of the worlds largest volunteers mentoring network and is looking to become a mentor herself.  She is also a proud member of Dementia and Friends, actively volunteering at community events and donating.  Helene is excited about using her experience to bring value and support to those in the SEF programme.

Email: hrichard-marsters@urbanpartners.co.nz

Mark Watkins
Coaching Facilitator

Mark is a professional certified executive coach, coaching supervisor, trainer and facilitator.  Mark inspires meaningful conversations and is passionate about what enables organisations, teams and individuals to achieve their potential.

Mark is VP Sales & Delivery at Adeption, formally JumpShift.  He has 25+ years’ experience in sales, facilitation and coaching having worked with organisations across the world through a number of consultancies including his own business.

He has worked across industries with companies within NZ such as Air NZ, Auckland Transport, Fonterra, Southern Cross and Spark.

Mark lives in rural Waiuku with his family of four children and likes to spend his spare time with his family at Kariotahi Beach.

Munira Haidermota
Clinical Psychologist
Neuropsychologist

Munira is a Clinical Psychologist and a Neuropsychologist. She moved to New Zealand in 2001 with her husband and two sons. She works full time in private practice. She has previously worked in the public health service with the District Health Board in South Auckland within their Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service. Munira currently supports clients from Oranga Tamariki, ACC, Schools, Universities, District Health Boards and Corporates.

Munira provides assessment, formulation and intervention to clients for a variety of mental health and stress related issues. These include depression, anxiety, adjustment to major illness and disability, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder, loss and grief issues, anger management, relationship issues, stress management, obsessive compulsive behaviour reductions, academic challenges, self-esteem issues, problems of loneliness and wellness services. She has particular expertise in teaching clients to build resilience and cope effectively from trauma and adapt to change.

Her approach to therapy is guided with considerations for individual’s interests, culture, gender preferences, spirituality and general goals for life. She undertakes therapeutic interventions collaboratively with clients to set goals, time frames and issues they would like to address. She provides opportunities to clients to gain mastery and control over their lives through regular assessment of therapy goals and review of progress.

Munira has a number of professional registrations and affiliations. These include:

• Registered Clinical Psychologist – Clinical Psychologist Scope of Practice; New Zealand Psychologists Board (Registration Number: 90-02505).

• Registered Neuropsychologist – Neuropsychologist Scope of Practice; New Zealand Psychologists Board (Registration Number: 02505).

• New Zealand Psychological Society (Full Member)

• New Zealand Institute of Clinical Psychology (Full Member & Board Member)

• Cultural Advisor Group – Board Member - New Zealand Psychological Society.

Cynthia Bates
Accounting Officer

Cynthia has a BCom from the University of Auckland.  In April 2024, she retired after nineteen years with both Urban Partners and its sister company, Cressida Capital.

Cynthia’s role is to assist the General Manager and Board with the financial aspects of the SEF programme, compiling the budgets, completing financial reports and preparing statutory filings.

Email: cbates@sefscholar.org.nz

Simoli Aati
Advisor to the Board

“O le ala ile pule o le tautua” - “The pathway to leadership through service.” Simoli has served her community through volunteering, leadership and governance roles and we are fortunate to have Simoli supporting our SEF programme.

Mark Everard
Event Manager

Mark comes from a background of competitive sport, he has over 20 years experience guiding the discerning international traveller around New Zealand and has built from start up an Executive Offsite Event Management Company.

Personal growth and development is a key driver for Mark, he sees the Staples Education Foundation as an exciting opportunity to play his part in giving back to the next generation of New Zealanders.

Mark will draw on his understanding of New Zealand and Event Management to deliver Educational and memorable experiences for the Staples Education Foundation.