Chair, Thames Representative
Fiona grew up in Coromandel Town in the 1970s-80s when everyone was a potter, weaver, writer, musician, or artist. Her lifelong connection to and career in the creative industries began here. Fiona has an NZ Certificate in Business Studies and is studying another NZ Business course, Level 4 First-line Management and Leadership Course, at WILSS in 2024.
As a young woman in her twenties, she set up her first art gallery in Coromandel Town while pursuing her art practice. This started a 30-year working experience as a business owner, employer and manager in the arts sectors around Aotearoa.
Through her experience as an art business owner, Fiona brings people management, business planning, event planning, and facilitation experience. She is strongly interested in communication, marketing and social media and believes collaborative relationships are key to her success.
Fiona’s commitment to community service is evident in her numerous volunteer governance roles in Thames. Her deep understanding of the complex and often conflicting issues that impact the region’s residents is a testament to her dedication and empathy.
Fiona holds the position of Chair at Creative Coromandel | He Mana Toi Moehau Trust. In this role, she not only strengthens existing relationships with iwi-led organisations, local government, tourism groups, and artists but also advocates for, encourages, connects, celebrates, and uplifts the creative people of our rohe. Her dedication to supporting their diverse artistic and cultural talents and traditions is evident in her role as the Project Manager of the trust’s inaugural “the coromandel artbeat spring festival’, set to kick off again in September 2024.
Fiona has strong connections to the Coromandel and Hauraki districts. She is passionate about our creative communities, landscapes, history, and people. She believes advocating for and nourishing the arts, creativity, and culture makes our district a more vibrant and exciting place to live and visit.
