2025/26 KRRA Committee Nominations
The following nominations have been received for positions on the 2025/26 KRRA Committee:
Steve Hart (current Chair)
Nominated by Gay Breeuwer, seconded by Roimata Taimana
I have a long history of working with community / environmental / tourism groups in NZ and Australia. I have an extensive background owning / managing tourism, transport (founded Go Kiwi) & hospitality businesses in NZ (Queenstown and Whitianga) & in Australia (Adelaide & the Gold Coast). I spent 10 years with Thames Coromandel District Council as a Compliance Team Leader working under several Chief Executives and Mayors where I learnt the key to achieving successful community relationships is through respect and open dialogue.
I currently operate a successful and busy property care business based in Kuaotunu employing several local residents while balancing life options spending any spare time fishing, kayaking, and hunting with my wife Gay. In 2004 I co-founded Kuaotunu Search and Rescue being the Chairperson from 2004 to 2024 and the Search Operations Manager for the same period managing operations throughout the Coromandel. I am currently an active member of the Kuaotunu Emergency Response Group providing assistance to the community during emergency events such as the covid pandemic, cyclones, flooding and the recent Blackjack fire.
I joined the Kuaotunu Residents & Ratepayers Committee in 2024 and have been the Chairperson for the past year. I connect with a wide cross section of residents & ratepayers listening to many views and understanding ways forward on complex issues. I have endeavoured to ensure past KRRA (2019 & 2023) surveys on key topics of importance to our residents & ratepayers are utilised by the committee and to provide a guideline on decision making and the committee’s focus.
I am confident that I can provide a balanced and sensible approach to local issues and if re-elected will endeavour to maintain relationships with nearby ratepayer associations, Thames Coromandel District Council staff and elected members, Waikato Regional Council and the Department of Conservation. I will remain focused on progressing outstanding issues such as community safety, supporting local community groups, protecting marine biodiversity, safeguarding our environment and ensuring maintenance & upgrades to our infrastructure (roading & footpaths) are undertaken by the relevant authority.
Kevin Crawford (current Secretary)
Nominated by Ian Campbell, seconded by Jenny Crawford
With my wife Jenny, we have had a property in Kūaotunu since 1983, built our house in 2005 with the permanent move here in mid-2020.
My background is Engineering Consultancy in delivery of infrastructure projects here and overseas, with the last 20 years in New Zealand on road and rail projects.
This experience enables me to advocate for the community through KRRA with TCDC and NZTA on issues of a fairer share of investment into local &
SH25 roading, walking, cycling and community infrastructure.
As Secretary with KRRA for 3 years, I have also contributed submissions on the Community objectives into TCDC’s Long-Term Plan 2024-2034 and footpath road safety on SH25. I have co-presented submissions on the impact of the Fast-Track bill on this community to government.
I am using my experience in initiating the Feasibility Study for connectivity Kūaotunu to Matarangi with a suspension bridge at Bluff Cove for walkers and cyclists away from the Rockfall site and representing KRRA on our joint advocacy with MRRAI to TCDC.
I have worked with Committee members advocating on KRRA’s behalf for SH25 Speed Limit Reductions with NZTA.
I am passionate about this vibrant community we are fortunate to call home and seek your support to continue to proactively contribute to achieving its future vision.
Gael Coleman Smith (current Committee Member)
Nominated by Martin Smith, seconded by Mark Tugendhaft
My name is Gael Coleman and I am a member of the existing Committee, standing for another year.
Martin and I moved to Kuaotunu 18 years ago, but our love for Kuaotunu stretches back over 40 years. We moved here with our youngest daughter, and feel very lucky to be living in such a beautiful community.
My working background was mainly the printing industry, initially editorial, and then as a manager.
I ran my own business, a vintage and retro clothing shop in Whitianga, for 7 years.
I am an active member of KAMAG, KEA, Kuaotunu Food Forest, Coromandel Watchdog, Kuaotunu Dune Care, Otama Wetlands Group, and a St Johns volunteer.
I am a committed environmental and social justice advocate and support Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles.
Marguerite Muellers (current Committee Member)
Nominated by Sue Greig, seconded by Colin Reid.
My Whakapapa is placed in Germany, my river is the lower Rhine.
As an educational Psychologist I have been working on the Coromandel Peninsular as a Counsellor & Psychotherapist for 35 years. Parallel I have been pursuing my water colour art skills and working part time as a life coach.
I am a committee member of the Kuaotunu Library since 2016, KRRA since 2023 and member of the Grey Power inc. since 2020 and the Whitianga Art School.
For the committee of the KRRA I am committed:
*to work towards best outcomes for our community
*to achieve balance and support - a common sense approach in alternative progressive outcomes
*to work hands on with practical issues and ideas within the KRRA
My mission for the Kuaotunu community is to protect the village vibe, in other words to be an advocate keeping our community safe and healthy.
With many different ethnicities being presented in our community I am a strong supporter of multiculturalism.
My focus is on the 65 plus members in our Village - we have 25% more elderly over the age of 65.
Steffi Hammann-Evans
Nominated by Gay Breeuwer, seconded by Steven Hart
My name is Steffi Hammann-Evans, I am a long-term resident of this beautiful community.
I first arrived in Kūaotunu 17 years ago and have been putting down roots here ever since, raising our two children with my husband Mickaele, purchasing a house in West Kūaotunu and having had close involvement with the Kūaotunu Kindergarten as administrator and trustee for 7 years as well as collaborating in creative community projects.
I value being actively involved in my community & contributing to its vibrancy.
With varied experiences in administrative and organizational roles as well as governance. I am hoping to contribute transparent financial oversight as the KRRA treasurer.
Dani Elliston
Nominated by Isabel Gilbert Palmer, seconded by Ian Preece
My husband, Gavin and I have had our home in Kuaotunu 2007 and moved here permanently in 2016, after 9 years in Western Australia.
My background is in legal as a Para Legal specialising in Family Law. Whilst overseas in Karratha, Western Australia I was Deputy Registrar at the Karratha Courthouse and then as a Document Controller for Lead Change Control involved in the construction of the Pluto Gas Train in Dampier for the 9 years I resided in Karratha, Western Australia.
We returned home and have a business here in Kuaotunu with a “Digger and a Truck”.
I am interested in advocating for our community for all that we stand for and wishy to make it safer (road safety , pathways so people can walk to and from West Kuaotunu and from Waitaia Road area) as well as to and from Matarangi which is a very popular walkway as well as the many other projects.
I am also passionate about this vibrant and diverse community we are fortunate to call home and continuing to proactively contribute to achieving its future goals.
Isabel Gilbert Palmer (current Committee Member)
Nominated by Shirley Willey, seconded by Eliza Reed
I have had a house in Kuaotunu since the early 90’s and after thirty five years of living in the Benelux countries of Europe and USA chose in 2016, to make it my home.
Guided by the whakatauki ( Maori proverb )”He tangata he tangata ,he tangata ,(the people the people the people ) I believe in the social capital of communities and found my way where I might be most useful, within the local artistic realm.
Advocating for the arts and developing a platform for known,emerging artists and craftspeople gained nine Creative NZ- TCDC-Creative Coromandel grants annually for local exhibitions, workshops ,hui and ,deeply appreciative participants and audiences .
Simultaneously my involvement in Team KRRA proves as purposeful.
Our Constitution sees us function like a modernCitizens Advice Bureau.We listen to you, follow through issues , speak on your behalf , navigate through bureaucratic labyrinth’s, liaise with decision makers where necessary, and make the right noise .
My committment and involvement supporting the valuable artistic and social life of Kuaotunu in both aspects, is as steadfast as it is rewarding in recognition that ,
"the whole is greater than the sum of its parts." (Aristotle )
Ian Preece (current Deputy Chair)
Nominated by Shirley Willey, seconded by Nedilka Radojkovich
We have been part of the Kuaotunu community since 2005 when we bought land and started planting our dream of a conservation estate. We put that land into a QE2 covenant in March 2025 which was a huge milestone for us.
After a career in geophysics and then IT programme management I switched to professional photography in 2012. My subject is the natural environment and the place I photograph is here.
I have lead and been part of a number of community, art and conservation projects across the peninsula and most recently moved into film making and helped to set up the inaugural Corocine Film Festival, a celebration of Coromandel film making, in 2024.
Kuaotunu is a very special place. It is a passionate and engaged community where a lot of people spend a lot of their time to keep it that way.
I believe if you value something you need to invest your time in it which is why I am on the committee.
Roimata Taimana (current Committee Member)
Nominated by Carolyn Wadey-Barron, seconded by Steve HArt
Ko Moehau tōku maunga,
Ko Pungapunga tōku awa,
Ko Whangapoua tōku moana,
Ko Ngati Huarere ko rawa Ngapuhi tōku iwi,
Ko Mangakahia tōku whanau,
Ko Roimata Taimana tōku ingoa.
My name is Roimata, I am whangai to the Mangakahia whanau of Whangapoua. I have been a part of this community since the early 80's and call Hauraki Coromandel my home.
I am employed by Te Korowai Hauora o Hauraki as a Mataora/Change Agent, working with whanau in distress and rangatahi/youth at Mercury Bay Area School and Kapanga/Coromandel Kura.
I am a committee member of KRRA, Creative Coromandel and LSAR IAG (Land Search and Rescue, Inclusivity Advisory Group) national team. I am also a volunteer for KSAR (Kuaotunu Search and Rescue) and Whangapoua Fire Brigade.
I am passionate about Music and the Arts. My wife and I also hold a music evening (Music in the Valley) and I often host Open Mic Nights in Kuaotunu and Whitianga. I have recorded music with Mr Brent Page, Kuaotunu, Earwig Studios, Auckland to name a few. I am also a member of the 10 Artists, Kuaotunu and was a member of The Art Escape for the past five years.
Communication in community is so very important, so I strive to make a difference how ever and where ever I can. I also believe that if you look after the whenua, the whenua will look after you.
Chris Brock
Nominated by Sarah Brock, seconded by Steve Hart
Hello, I'm Chris, and I'm excited to introduce myself as a candidate for the Kuaotunu Residents and Ratepayers Association. My family and I have been proud residents of Kuaotunu since 2020, though my connection to this community goes back to my childhood.
Professionally, I serve as a Software Architect at a major IT company based out of San Francisco. Throughout my career, I've had the opportunity to develop software solutions for diverse industries such as energy generation, risk management, and dairy farming. This breadth of experience has provided me with valuable insights and skills that extend beyond the realm of software and IT.
As a member of the KRRA committee, my goal is to contribute to initiatives that enhance the quality of life in Kuaotunu, making it an even better place for families and fostering a vibrant, connected community. I am eager to work collaboratively with fellow residents to ensure this place we call home continues to thrive and evolve.