BBNZ Board
Karen Poutasi, Chair
Karen is currently Chief Executive of NZQA and resides in Wellington. Karen brings substantial experience and depth in leadership, governance and community knowledge. She is known for her ability to steer change while building strong relationships internally and externally. Through her family and her professional networks she brings strong relationships and respect with both Pacific and Maori communities.
Her family is involved in basketball and one of her sons continues to play. She has a passion to see basketball build success and increase its reach in our communities.
Appointed Board Member
Board term commenced: 8 October 2011
Burton Shipley, Deputy Chair
Burton has been thoroughly involved with Basketball in New Zealand since representing Canterbury from 1969 to 1974. He has featured in boards across the spectrum, Chair of the National Basketball League Board from 1999 to 2004, BBNZ Board member from 2003 to 2005, and most recently Chair of the NZ Breakers board from 1996 to 2010. Burton is also currently Chairman of the Stellar Trust which is focused on drug education. He has overseen development of the NZ Breakers community programmes as Chair of the Basketball Development Trust assisting in raising funds and governed expenditure for them.
Elected Board Member
Board term commenced: 8 October 2011
Robyn Clements
Robyn is the co-founder of Dairy Women’s Network (DWN) since its establishment in 1998. As a Chair and trustee of the DWN she has engaged with the industry and sponsors, supporting the CEO and Marketing Manager.
Robyn has played socially in Hamilton and Te Awamutu for 12 years before injury. During this time she was President for one of the Te Awamutu clubs for 2 years. Her children play basketball and through her avid support for them she has actively been a referee and team manager over the years.
Elected Board Member
Board term commenced: 8 October 2011
John Gallaher
John a Senior is a principal of Forsyth Barr Limited. He has experience as company Director in both the commercial and NPO/NSO sectors, with significant governance and chairmanship experience in both these sectors.
John has played, coached and refereed for 37 years, and continue to play at a competitive level. He led the reorganisation and constitution of Basketball Otago and was elected Chairman for 5 years, stepping down when elected as President of the previous BBNZ Board. He has also been a BBNZ representative to the FIBA Oceania board since June 2007, and was appointed to the FIBA Finance Commission in September 2010.
Elected Board Member
Board term commenced: 10 December 2005
Don Jefferies
Don of Ngati Raukawa/Ngati Tukorehe descent, is a partner in Jefferies Nock & Associates, a chartered accountancy practice based in Hamilton. Don has been, and continues to be, actively involved in the basketball community over the last thirty years. He played for numerous years at club level in the Waikato – and has represented Waikato in the NBL and at Divisional Level (formerly Third Division). He was also selected into several New Zealand Universities and National Divisional Tournament Teams.
On an administrative level, Don has served on the Waikato Basketball Council and was also part of the independent NBL Board formed in 2009. As a Coach, he has again had numerous roles within the Waikato, and is currently Coaching Waikato Diocesan Senior Girls and the Fairfield Intermediate Boys team. Married to Sherrin with 4 children – all playing basketball.
Elected Board Member
Board term commenced: 20 April 2013
Andrew Harrison
Andrew is currently Managing Director of Koau Capital Partners based in Christchurch. He originally qualified as an Accountant and has worked in Price Waterhouse, Haliburton, Polson Higgs & Co Chartered Accountants. Prior to establishing Koau Capital Partners he was Chief Financial Officer and then Chief Executive of Ngai Tahu Group over six years. Andrew brings substantial commercial, financial and relationship management experience to the Board.
He has a passion for basketball which his family shares with him through representation, coaching and playing.
Appointed Board Member
Board term commenced: 8 October 2011
Chris Patterson
Chris a businessperson and a lawyer. He continues to own and managed a successful medium sized professional services firm which he has done so for over twelve years. He is admitted as a barrister and solicitor and has practiced law since 1997. In addition to his business life he is married and has two boys who are keen basketball players and supporters.
Appointed Board Member
Board term commenced: 8 October 2011
Greg Williamson
Greg is currently a co-owner and Director of Concentrate Limited a technology marketing consultancy based in Christchurch. Prior to this he worked for Jade Software Corporation for 7 years in business programme management and marketing communications. He is also a trustee of Big Brothers Big Sisters which provides mentoring services for underperforming children.
Greg brings a combination of marketing, IT/database, business and community skills and experience to the board table. This in tandem with his interest and love of the game, having played in his earlier years makes him well suited to the challenges ahead for Basketball.
Appointed Board Member
Board term commenced: 8 October 2011
