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Meet Our Team

John Scandrett
Chief Executive Officer

Prior to stepping into The Association’s Chief Executive role in June 2009, John held various marketing and senior management positions in NZX listed companies extensively involved in manufacturing, exporting and biotechnology activities. In these capacities he spent significant periods in international markets developing new opportunities for a diverse range of New Zealand primary produce and crop protection products.

John has held establishment and guiding roles on the New Zealand venison industry’s Game Industry Board and the NZ Food and Beverage Export Council.

Through the 1990’s he spent a number of years as Director Commercial Development at The University of Otago. In that position, newly created at the time, he was responsible for intellectual property protection and commercialisation and for “start-up” company formation.

He also played a lead role in the establishment of the University’s widely-acclaimed $8.5 million Centre For Innovation.

John is “Southland born and bred”, gained his commerce degree (marketing and economics) at The University of Otago and has, for the major part of his career, undertaken his mainstream employment roles from a Dunedin location.

He has recently joined the Orokonui Ecosanctuary Business Board and the Board of the University Bookshop (Otago) Limited.

Diana Hudson (LLB)
Managing Solicitor  

Diana has extensive legal and practical experience in employment law and human resources. Initially Diana worked in general practice undertaking mainly criminal, family and employment law. She has had many roles within OSEA having been an employment lawyer, Board Member and now Managing Solicitor. Having worked with OSEA as an employment lawyer from 1998 to 2001 she joined the Mainland Poultry Group as its Human Resources and Compliance Manager. She took the lead in collective negotiations for that company in Auckland and Dunedin and gained wide experience in the practical application of all aspects of employment law in a national setting. It was during this time that Diana became a Board Member for the OSEA. In 2008 she was invited to return to the Association as its Managing Solicitor. Diana is currently a member of the Competenz Board and a past member of the OSEA Board and Otago Polytechnic Council. 

Grant Walker (LLB)
Barrister & Solicitor

Grant brings a varied and wide skill base to the practice of employment law having been a partner in a long established Dunedin legal firm and leading that firm’s commercial practice until 1990. He had business interests in the tourism sector in Central Otago for a number of years. Following further study Grant became a group facilitator in personal development and conflict resolution. Following a brief stint as a relieving tenancy mediator and researcher Grant also worked in poverty law for a number of years before specialising in employment law. Grant is the Business NZ representative on the Employment Relations Education Ministerial Advisory Committee, is a Board Member of ASCO and CIPT and has served on the Board of a number of community organisations particularly in the mental health area. Grant is an experienced speaker conducts seminar training for our members on payroll employment law.

In November 2000, Grant joined the Otago Southland Employers’ Association.

Will Martin (LLB, BCom, PGDipCom)
Barrister & Solicitor

Will Martin completed his studies at the University of Otago in 2002 and graduating with degrees in Law and Commerce (majoring in Management), and finished his postgraduate studies looking at employment relations in 2008.

He was admitted to the Bar as a Barrister & Solicitor in 2003 and first worked with a leading Queen’s Counsel and subsequently a commercial law firm specialising in litigation and commercial law. Will joined the Employers’ Association in May 2006 and greatly enjoys working with businesses, both large and small, in finding solutions to their employment issues. Will particularly enjoys guiding businesses through disciplinary issues and minimising the impact in the event a business faces a personal grievance. Over the years he has appeared before, and prepared work for, various Courts and Tribunals including the District Court, High Court, Court of Appeal, Privy Council, and the Employment Relations Authority.

 

Will has been involved in a number of voluntary organisations during the past decade and is also a retired Navy Reserve Officer, holding the rank of Lieutenant. Proudly Dunedin born and bred, Will has also spent a year at high school the United States, and enjoys travel, being a semi-regular visitor to colleagues in the United Kingdom, and of course the vineyards of Central Otago.

 

Jen Wilson (BA, LLB, Dip Tchg)
Barrister & Solicitor

Jen is an experienced practitioner who represents the Association’s members in all facets of employment law. Jen has had extensive experience specifically in employment, family, property and ACC law. Jen co authored an employment relations article published in the Journal of Industrial Relations in 2005. She also currently delivers a popular OSEA seminar on modern employment arrangements. Jen has enjoyed a successful legal career and constantly delivers effective results when representing our members at mediation, the Employment Relations Authority and the Employment Court and is an integral part of our legal team.

Jen’s career initially commenced in early childhood education after completing a diploma in teaching, and later specialising in Special Education. Jen completed her law degree and was admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the High Court in 2003. In November 2007, Jen joined the Otago Southland Employers’ Association. 

 

Kristen Gawn 
Health & Safety Advisor

Kristen manages all aspects of the associations health and safety including the delivery and design of OSEA health and safety training and expert advice to our members. Kristen is very skilled at the maintenance and modification of the health and safety programmes required by the health and safety in Employment Act 1992 and its Amendments (2002). Kristen’s dedication and commitment to the Association’s members has earned her a formidable reputation in the health and safety industry. She works closely along side Ray Wills, the associations other Health & Safety Advisor.

Previously Kristen has held several roles as a Health and Safety Specialist for major employers and has spent well over a decade within the industry. In April 2005, Kristen joined the Otago Southland Employers’ Association.

Ray Wills
Health & Safety Advisor

Ray designs and delivers training and advice to the Association’s members in all aspects of health and safety. Rays practical experience is considerable in the Health and Safety area and he has particular strengths with the construction and project management health and safety. Ray’s immeasurable knowledge with health and safety assists our members continually with success. He works closely along side Kristen Gawn, the associations other Health & Safety Advisor.

Previously Ray managed health & safety in the construction industry for several large companies and more recently project health & safety management involving contractors and sub-contractors. In April 2008, Ray joined the Otago Southland Employers’ Association.

Helen Young
Barrister & Solicitor (Southland)

 

Helen joined the team at the Otago Southland Employers Association in November 2009 as a legal adviser and advocate. Helen has worked with employers across both the public and private sectors and is able to provide professional and sound advice on all of your employment and human resource management issues.

Helen’s graduated with a law degree from the University of Canterbury in 1984. As a lawyer in private practice, she regularly advised on business purchases, mergers and restructures, property development, commercial projects, and all other aspects of business law. In 2000, Helen was appointed Chief Executive of Sport Southland, which enabled her to apply her knowledge and management skills in a sector she is passionate about.

Helen sat on the Tenancy Tribunal from 1986-1993. Helen also served on the Council of the Southern Institute of Technology from 1993-2002, Chair from 1998-2002. Over the years, she has been involved with a number of public sector and community organisations, including Hospice Southland, Southland Basketball Association and the Otago-Southland Chinese Association, to name but a few.

Helen is an experienced presenter and has previously conducted seminar training for the New Zealand Law Society’s Continuing Legal Education Programme and has also led numerous sport sector workshops and seminars. 

Don Rhodes
Employers' Advocate (Central Otago)

Don deals with employment related queries on a daily basis, providing practical advice to our Central Otago members on various employment and labour related issues. Don also specialises in people management and designed and delivers OSEA's premier leadership programme. Dons training assists our members and their employees in management positions to be effective team leaders and to establish and maintain effective working relationships through good communication techniques.

Don has enjoyed the longest employment relationship with the Association, and previously worked for an outstanding 18 years as an advocate for the Association in the Dunedin branch. The Association is delighted to have Don as a valuable team member working on a contract basis based in Central Otago.

  

Anne-Marie Mckay
Member Services/Business Services

Anne-Marie is the first point of contact for receiving telephone calls and greeting members in our office, where her commitment to providing outstanding service is well respected amongst the Association's members. Anne-Marie also manages the Association's business administration and always ensures a high quality service.

Previously Anne-Marie worked in the Regional Office of The Salvation Army Employment Plus as the receptionist where her capability and skills were quickly recognised, seeing her promoted to the personal assistant to the Regional Manager within a short period of time. She has also had experience working in a busy school office. In October 2007, Anne-Marie joined the Otago Southland Employers’ Association.

 

Karyn Molloy
Personal Assistant to the Chief Executive/Financial Services

Karyn is responsible for a comprehensive and professional range of administrative services and support to the Chief Executive and  Board. Karyn also manages the Association’s finances. Her outstanding commitment to delivering accurate and high-quality outputs ensures the Association's information is handled with efficiency and maintains a high level of integrity.

Previously Karyn held similar financial roles for G S McLauchlan & Co, and the Otago Rugby Football Union. In February 2007,  Karyn joined the Otago Southland Employers’ Association.

Christie Hahunga (BSc, BCom)
Training & Events / Export NZ

Christie is responsible for overseeing Otago Southland Employers events and training programmes to ensure it continues to meet the needs of our members and presenters. Christie also is an Account Manager for an innovative on line recruitment tool, QJumpers. Christie recently has taken on an additional role as an Executive Officer for the newly merged Export New Zealand. She works closely with all members of staff at the Association to be effective in these varied positions.

After gaining her double degree from Otago University in 2005, Christie went on to work in a challenging role within the recruitment industry. In March 2008, Christie joined the Otago Southland Employers’ Association.

Christie Hahunga (BSc, BCom)
Training & Events / Export NZ

Meet Our Board

President
Philip Broughton
Polson Higgs & Co

Philip is a Chartered Accountant, Maori. Business Mentor and a Partner of the firm Polson Higgs Dunedin. Philip provides a full range of business and accounting consultancy services to Maori, for the Otago/Southland region.

 

 

 

 

Vice President
Stuart McLauchlan
GS McLauchlan & Co

Stuart is the Managing Partner of GS McLauchlan & Co Business Advisors and Accountants, a prominent businessman and company director. He is Board Chair and Director of several other companies.

 

 

 

 

Nigel McKinlay
Everyday Gourmet

Nigel is the working director of Orthotics Otago Ltd and of Everyday Gourmet. He also is a member OSEA council, and a board member of Upstart Incubator. He also has community involvement including Kaikorai School Committee, Chair, Fortune Theatre Board, member Otago Bridge club.

 

 

 

Paul Morriss
Otago Polytechnic

Paul is a Business Facilitator for Aadara Business Services ltd. Paul's prior experience includes a variety of managerial roles in various industries including retail, health, postgraduate education, and home improvement.

 

 

 

Ray Anton
Clutha Health First 

Ray is the Manager of Clutha Health First and has been in the current position for the past 7 years, previously he worked in the District health board as strategic planner & quality coordinator. Mr. Anton is Chairman of the Board of Trustees of John McGlashan College, and Chairman of the Otago Southland Local Cancer Network.

 

 

 

Robert Gonzales
Waitaki District Health Services

Robert has been the General Manager of Oamaru Hospital since 2001 and was elected to the OSEA Board this year. Oamaru Hospital has been a member of the OSEA for a number of years and values the support, services and expertise the OSEA offers. Robert served in international missions for several years, including roles such as Director of a Mission Base in Manila providing health related services in squatter communities, and Mission School Director in Kenya, East Africa. He moved to New Zealand in 1989 and worked in Dunedin Hospital for approximately 12 years during which time he became the Service Leader for the Advanced Medical Imaging Services. He enjoys living in Oamaru with his wife and three children and is a member of the Oamaru Rotary Club.

 

Paula Anstey
Progressive Plastics Ltd

Paula is an accountant by background. Paula and her husband have operated Progressive Plastics for 7 years. Paula has a keen sporting interest involvement in masters sport through multisport (triathlon) and Caversham Harriers, of which she is a trustee.

 

Rachel Walker
Delta Utility Services Ltd

Rachel is the Human Resources Manager for DELTA Utility Services and has been working in Human Resources for the last 15 years. Rachel is a member of several boards including OSEA, HRINZ National Board and the Otago Polytechnic Council. Rachel is the Wild South President of the HRINZ.

Michael Weusten
Tile Centre 

Michael, an engineer by training, joined the OSEA board as a Southland representative in 2007. He has a wide background in general management, leadership and governance, as well as a special interest in professional development, organisational growth and quality management. In addition to being board chairperson of companies in the tourism, brewing and charitable sectors Michael is also a board member of several other organisations including NZIM Southern, the Southland Chamber and Southern Group Training Trust.

Ian Currie
Arrow International

Ian is the Dunedin Manager for Arrow International. Originally trained as a Civil Engineer Ian has spent 20 years in the construction industry, moving from consulting engineering into Project Management and Construction.

 

 

Andrew Leys
New Zealand Credit Union South Dunedin

Since 2007 Andrew has held the position of CEO for Credit Union South. In 2001 Andrew's achievements were recognised by the World Council of Credit Unions when he was he inaugural winner of the WOCCU Young Credit Union Professional Award. Other appointments include director of the NZ Association of Credit Unions, and President of the Chamber of Commerce Southland.

 

 

Denise Lane
Night 'n Day Foodstores

Denise is a working director of Night ‘n Day Franchise Brand which she founded with her husband Andrew in 1990. Denise has been self employed retailing in the Grocery Industry for 30 years and is a past winner of the Wise Woman’s “Self Employed Woman of the Year for Otago/Southland.” She enjoys sports, family time and deep sea fishing.