The Napier District Masonic Trust Board
Our purpose, our kaupapa, is to encourage and maintain the independence, activity and personal options of residents within a caring environment, whilst embracing traditional masonic principles.
Napier District Masonic Trust
Our Trustees
Our vision, our wawata, is to continue to grow, to embrace new opportunities providing sector leading service in an economic, social and environmentally sustainable manner.
Board Chairwoman
Laureen Sutherland
- Registered Nurse BN – HBDHB 32 years
– ICU/CCU & Emergency Management
– HBDHB – Nursing Education – Tutor
– Medical Management - Appointment to NDMT Board – 2009
- Aged Care Sector
– 2003 – 2007 Oceania Clinical Manager
– 2007 – 2019 Anglican Care Waiapu Quality Operations Manager
– 2019 – Present Aged Care Consultant - Aged Care Representative – EIT Advisory Board
- Chairperson – HB branch of Aged Care NZ Executive
Laureen’s many years of experience in the healthcare sector has provided her with the opportunity to be part of a team committed to delivering quality healthcare service to the Hawke’s Bay community. Laureen is married to Russell and has two grown children.
“Far and away the best prize that life offers, is the chance to work hard at work worth doing” – Theodore Roosevelt.
Trustee
Matthew Rea-Rankin
As a skilled Senior Executive with a background in HR, Matthew brings together several decades of leadership, organisational change, and business acumen across a mix of sectors; most recently as Head of People and Capability at Coastguard, and prior to that as GM of Human Resources for the manufacturing leadership team at Fonterra, HR at TVNZ, and through his own consultancy for 9 years.
Born and bred on Auckland’s North Shore, Matt has been involved with Coastguard for over 20 years as a volunteer and has been on the Regional Board for the North Island, the Coastguard New Zealand Board, and the Coastguard Board for Boating Education.
Matt’s charitable and volunteer work has spanned much of life, with his love of the outdoors seeing him undertake conservation work on the coral reefs in the Philippines, Kiwi surveys on Ruapehu, and even an archaeological dig in the back yard of Katherine Mansfield’s home in Wellington.
A Freemason since 2006, Matt was drawn to the complementary ethos of the Napier District Masonic Trust, in particular the charitable work of the foundation, and their focus on aged care. “It’s amazing to look at the performance and what has been achieved. I’m very pleased to be involved and looking forward to helping bring those Masonic values to life.”
Trustee
Carolyn Cooper
Carolyn is a seasoned health executive and registered nurse with over three decades of senior leadership experience across New Zealand and Australia. Her expertise spans aged care, hospital operations, clinical governance, cultural transformation, and strategic leadership in both public and private sectors. As Aged Care Commissioner for New Zealand, Carolyn provided national leadership and advocacy to improve quality outcomes and safeguard the wellbeing of older people.
Carolyn’s leadership journey includes key executive roles such as Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer at Bupa Villages and Aged Care NZ, Executive Director of Clinical Operations at Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD in Australia, and senior positions across several New Zealand District Health Boards. She has served as Chair of Bupa NZ’s governance boards and held board roles across the Aged Care Association, Retirement Villages Association, and InterRAI Governance Board.
Values-driven and people-focused, Carolyn is known for her collaborative and empowering leadership style, bringing clarity to complex systems and building strong cultures of safety, care, and accountability. Heavily committed to aged care, Carolyn was thrilled to be appointed to the Napier District Masonic Trust Board in 2025, “I really want to make sure older people can enjoy that quality of care, and quality of life, and meeting the Masonic Trust team and seeing how settled the residents are, I can see we have the same goals.”
Trustee
Phillipa Blakey
Phillipa has over 25 years of leadership and governance experience across the health and community services sectors in New Zealand, Australia, and the UK. Beginning her career as a NZ Registered Nurse and clinical leader, Phillipa then held a number of for-profit and not-for-profit CEO roles focused on growth and transformation. Now, an experienced Board Chair and Non-Executive Director, Phillipa has worked extensively in roles that deliver meaningful impact for shareholders, stakeholders and communities.
Her career includes leading organisations such as Health Hawke’s Bay and Pulse Health, where she drove innovation, growth, and improved access to care.
She holds an MBA and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors programme. Phillipa’s focus is now on governance and advisory work, and in November 2025, added the NDMT board to her other Board roles. She is excited about using her skills and experience as a director and leader to realise the potential for further growth and development of the NMDT offering; to deliver on the belief that every person has a right to a place they can call home regardless of age, stage, means or needs.
Trustee
Andrew Neilson
Born in Gore, Andrew moved to Palmerston North in 1985 to attend Massey University, and as he says, “never left. I got a job working in hospitality, and from there ended up in sales and direct marketing which I’ve been in ever since.”
A Business Development Manager for Professional Hair Brands since 2002, Andrew is also kept busy on a number of boards. He’s President of the Manawatu Club and Executive Chair of the Committee, a Director of Manawatu Club Properties Ltd., and as a Freemason, he chairs the Manawatu Kilwinning Charitable Trust – part of the Lodge Benevolent Trust that amongst other things, provides care for the aged.
Grand Superintendent for the Central North Island Region of the Grand Lodge since October 2025, Andrew sees the NDMT board role as a progression of the charitable trust work, and governance roles he has been involved in, and is particularly looking forward to the focus on change and growth – his areas of expertise. As Andrew says, “there is a wealth of experience on the Masonic Trust Board, and I’m excited to be a part of it.”
Trustee
Del Whyte
- Appointment to NDMT Board
- Bachelor of Science,
- Diploma in Teaching, TTC
Certificate in Wine
Del is Ngati Kahungunu, his hapu is Ngati Hawea. Many ex-pupils and pupils of ex-pupils of Napier Boys High School will remember Mr Whyte. Their memories will be from the classroom and more than likely from the sports field where he coached rugby and encouraged the players to excel. Under his guidance, they achieved three Super Eight titles, (synonymous with excellence in education, innovation in management, and outstanding performance on stage and the sports field). Five Top 4 (National First XV Championship) appearances and they were NZ champion once. His achievements with his teams saw him receive Hawkes Bay Coach of the Year at the 2003 Hawkes Bay Sportsman of the Year. Napier Boys High School was fortunate to have Del teaching and mentoring pupils for 39 years and during his tenure he was Head of Department (Agriculture), Dean and Senior Master (Assistant Principal). Currently, Del sits on Te Matou a Maui Rugby Incorporated board and is a Life member of the following:
- Napier Old Boys Marist Cricket Club
- HB Cricket Association Life Member & President
- HB Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association Life Member & President
- Inaugural and current Trustee of Veterans Cricket New Zealand representing
Central Districts since 2019.
Del is married to Lorraine, and they have four children (3 boys and a girl) and seven grandchildren.
Trustee
Mark Dickerson
- Appointed to the NDMT Board in 2010
- Past Master & Trustee Scinde Lodge .
- Past President Greenmeadows Rotary.
- Napier Community Patrol. – 10years
Mark and his wife Vicky left their family farm in Pauatahanui 26 years ago to begin a new life in Hawke’s Bay. “We have three adult children – two girls, one son, and one grandchild”. Mark is a qualified builder and licensed building practitioner, who has many strings to his bow. As well as his building background he has been involved in the timber industry, property development, farming, and a restauranteur. A love of classic cars and any racing involving four wheels or two excites Mark and he has enjoyed playing a wide range of sports. These days the tramping trails, coastal walks, and fishing in Hawke’s Bay’s rivers and sea are Mark’s relaxation, plus motor homing, reading, and Rotary.
Financial Advisor
Pene Johnstone
- Appointment to NDMT Board – 2015
- Member ATAINZ – Accounting and Taxation Institute of NZ
“I have been an accountant for the past 40 years. Although you could say it was longer than that as my father had a building business and I started helping in the office at the age of 10.
When asked to join the Napier District Masonic Trust I was very interested in what the Trust was achieving, and felt I had the background to be able to contribute effectively to the Board. I have always had an interest in property investment, building was in my DNA and my mother had lived in a serviced apartment in a retirement village for 14 years.” Pene has been a member of many charitable organisations over the years. She said, “It always feels right to be able to give my time to help others.”
Pene and her husband Colin enjoy overseas travel visiting new places and cultures. Having the time now to spend with their three children and seven grandchildren brings so much joy.