Board of Trustees
Board of Trustees Presiding Member: Chris James
Hi my name is Chris James and I am the Presiding Member. I have four children and I am based in Turangi. I have a real passion for serving my community and a strong governance background that, I hope to bring to the board.
I currently own my own business and I am the Deputy Chairman of Capital Football.
I believe a high performing school must ensure it has a well-established culture that embraces the diverse and talented student body and provides clear pathways to ensure our kids are set to be amazing members of our society. The board is fundamental in ensuring the strategy is set and continues to inspire, motivate and empower our principal, the staff and our students.
I am fully committed to embracing a strong cultural, educational and sporting focus to the board to ensure Tauhara College continues to shine and prosper in the Taupo and wider Taupo area.
Board of Trustees Presiding Member: Steve Manunui
Ko Tongariro te maunga
Ko Taupo te Moana
Ko Ngaati Tuwharetoa te iwi
Ko Te Heuheu te Tangata
My name is Steve Manunui. My wife Kim and I are the proud parents of three daughters, two of whom presently attend Tauhara College. I am presently the Area Manager of Whakapapa Ski Area where I have worked for over 35 years. My wife and I also own and operate two local businesses. I love everything that this amazing place has to offer us and I’ve completed eight Taupo Ironman events. I am proud of my Maori heritage, but am equally proud to be kiwi, but most of all I’m a very passionate Taupo local.
providers which has allowed me the opportunity to help and nurture many of our local rangatahi into work and life learning opportunities. My leadership role has also taught me how to manage risk and compliance at the highest level. Alongside all of this sits good financial acumen, project management, team management, engineering, tourism, retail, and hospitality experience.
needed before releasing them to forge their own way forward. I feel strongly that this needs to be across many forms to support the diversity of our student body – whether it is the struggling year 9 student through to the most highly accomplished year 13 student. There are also important relationship and working environment elements to be addressed across the wider school community – students, teachers, parents and the local community – and I feel that I have the cross-section of skills and experience to provide a positive contribution. I feel privileged to serve our community as a board member of Tauhara College for the upcoming term, and I look forward to this opportunity.
Parent Representative: John Curtis
I settled in Tāupo to prove you should live where you love and let everything else work itself out! It’s a great place to raise a family and my three children will be going through Tauhara College over the next decade.
I’m a software developer and technologist, and co-founded two businesses based in Tāupo but running nationally and globally respectively. I also run Tāupo’s co-working space as part of my commitment to connecting people and growing Tāupo’s business community. As a keen musician I play locally and teach at the Tāupo School of Music.
I believe in giving our young people the freedom to be fully self expressed, with schools facilitating their discovery of what’s possible. Education and life beyond school is becoming increasingly complex so I’m honoured to be part of a team focused on the future of all those at Tauhara College.
Parent Representative: James Wiltsher
My name is James Wiltsher. I am married to Louisa and we have four children, two at Tauhara College and two at Hilltop School. We have lived in Taupo since 2014 and love being part of this amazing community.
My background is in teaching with many years of experience across a range of age groups. I am passionate about future-focused education and lifelong learning. Currently, I work as a Digital Lead Teacher supporting staff and students with the implementation of the new Digital Curriculum.
I am very excited to be a member of the Tauhara College Board of Trustees. I bring a range of experiences and skills that will support our teachers and learners. I look forward to being part of the team that will continue to develop the future direction of Tauhara College.
Parent Representative: Shaun Swann
Parent Representative: Fraser Scott
Hi, I’m Fraser Scott. I have one child who will be attending Tauhara College next year.
By some great luck my wife and I had the opportunity to move to Taupo for work in 2005. We believed then and even more now, that it’s the greatest place in the country, and are very thankful to be a part of this community and call Taupo home.
My interest in being on the board is around enabling all kids to thrive and make the most of their learning experience while living in paradise. I’ve always been impressed with the interactions I’ve had with Tauhara College and see this as an opportunity to contribute to the exciting journey this school is on.
I’m a Landscape Architect and I’m passionate about creating great places for people to enjoy now and in the future.
Staff Representative: Kirsty Trevor
Kia ora,
I am privileged to serve as the Staff Representative on the Board of Trustees. I have been teaching for 21 years, 11 of those at Tauhara College. Prior to starting my family, I also had the opportunity to represent staff on the Board, and I am pleased to contribute in this role once again.
Over my time at Tauhara, I have witnessed significant growth and positive change within our kura. I am committed to supporting this momentum and look forward to working alongside others to ensure Tauhara College continues to be the very best it can be for our students, staff, and community.
Student Representative: Olliver Pask
My name is Olliver Pask, I believe I can give a strong voice to students and represent a wide range of perspectives at our school. I am in a unique position of learning across two year levels as well as being actively involved with the Tauhara football team. This means I get to hear and understand the views of many different students, both academic and sporting, which gives me a wide understanding of student life around our school. I think I am approachable and open, and I will take every student’s opinion seriously, making sure their voices are heard at board level.
In my classes I have shown that I am mature, hardworking, and committed, which is reflected in both my grades and academic record. I am someone who listens carefully and is able to communicate ideas clearly, whether that’s in class discussions, on the sports field, or when talking with friends. These skills are important for a student representative because the role is not just about speaking—it is also about listening and understanding what others value.
I will work hard to bring student ideas to the board and help shape decisions that make our school a better place. I want to support a balance between academics, sports, culture, and wellbeing so that every student feels included and valued. I believe in fairness, inclusiveness, and honesty, and I will represent our school community with dedication and respect.