New foundation trustees 'believe in our kaupapa'

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

The Sunrise Foundation welcomed new trustees Mike Torrie, BDO managing partner, and Leslynne Jackson, Manaaki Tairāwhiti project manager, to their board of trustees at the recent AGM.

“Mike and Leslynne’s respective roles and experience in the financial and social sector will provide an ongoing strength to the governance of Sunrise, said Rob Dymock, Sunrise chair.

“They bring with them an in-depth awareness, knowledge and understanding of the Tairāwhiti community.”

Leslynne (Ngati Porou and Te Aitanga a Mahaki), says she is motivated by the principles of social justice, with a strong focus on community development.

“As Sunrise trustees we have a duty of care to support all areas of our community, making sure we get to the root cause of why people need support,” she says.

Mike, who has been a long-time donor to Sunrise, says volunteering his finance and governance skills as a Sunrise trustee is just one way he can give back to our community.

“It’s human nature to want to play your part in the community. Sunrise provides that opportunity for everyone to find the cause they care about and become a donor,” he said.

Sunrise Foundation executive officer Glenda Stokes says she is looking forward to working with Mike and Leslynne who both have significant governance experience and are passionate about the wellbeing of the local community.

“Both Mike and Leslynne strongly believe in our Sunrise kaupapa and will be a great fit.

“They’ve been wonderful supporters of Sunrise for many years, and Leslynne has been a valued member of our grants committee since 2017.”

Mike and Leslynne will take the place of founding trustees John Clarke and Colin Christie who have both retired from the Sunrise board after just over nine years of dedicated service.

As part of John’s tenure, he held the role of Sunrise chair before being succeeded last year by Rob Dymock.

The new trustees join Richard Briant, Whaimutu Dewes, Alice Pettigrew, Joe Martin, Reweti Ropiha and David Clark on the foundation board.