Therese MarshTherese, originally from Maungakaramea outside Whangārei, a location her family has lived since the1870s, is a founding Trustee of Arohanui Art & Education Trust. Therese left the Board role when she moved overseas, and has recently returned to us as a Trustee in 2026. Following the completion of a Bachelor of Engineering, Therese had a career that spanned the dairy, chemical and electricity sectors. Therese has three adult children - Lexi, Rhea and Aric and currently lives in Matua with her husband Adrian.
Jenny was the initiator of Arohanui Art and Education Trust, bringing together the initial Trustees, and is enormously proud of the achievements of the Trust and Arohanui as a unique organisation offering real choice to people with disability. Past Chairperson, currently Secretary of the Trust, and mother of three with her eldest daughter an Arohanui Client.
Dr. Candy Cookson Cox of Te Arawa/Ngai Tahu descent has been involved in the health and education sector for over 30 years. She has held senior positions in both sectors in New Zealand and overseas. Currently she is the Director of Ua-Cox Consulting Ltd, a company involved in audit and evaluation of service organisations and has recently been appointed as the Lakes District Health Board Child and Youth Mortality Review Co-ordinator. Candy has a child with special needs and is very committed to ensuring that children and adults with special needs are treated with the dignity, respect, compassion and consideration that they deserve and further, that this philosophy can be seen to be evident through-out their life time.
Paul is a Fellow Chartered Accountant, dairy farmer and kiwifruit grower operating from the family farm, a Century Farm, in Pongakawa, Te Puke.
He has been a Trustee of Arohanui since its inception and is interested in its continuing success and growth beyond its original centre in Te Puke. His interest in disability services stems from his late mother, Jean, who was involved with the former IHC Centre in Te Puke.
Paul is Chairperson of the Te Puke Economic Development Group and is a Director and/or Trustee of several private companies or Trusts. He also has a long-term interest in the environment and is a trustee of Wai Kokopu Incorporated, a large catchment group covering the wider Pongakawa area.
Nikki was appointed as a trustee of the Arohanui Art & Education Trust Board in April 2015. She is a lawyer and a partner in the law firm of Burley Castle Hawkins Law. Nikki's legal practice includes a strong emphasis on Trusts (including Charitable Trusts), Property and Commercial law. Nikki has had experience on other trust boards and welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the Arohanui Art & Education Trust.
Nikki is committed to the local community. She has lived here in Tauranga for over 30 years and, together with her husband Roger, has brought her family up here in the Bay.