Governance

IN THIS SECTION

GOVERNANCE OF THE Y

As a not for profit organisation we are committed to helping build strong kids, families and communities in an ethical and sustainable way.

Here, we provide an overview of the organisation’s governance, and associated practices and policies.

Board of Directors

The Board is committed to the highest standards of ethical behaviour and accountability. It operates under a Charter, the purpose of which is to promote high standards of governance and clarity of their own role and responsibilities.

Broadly, the role of the Board is to provide leadership and strategic guidance for YMCA Central in addition to overseeing management’s implementation of strategic initiatives.

The Board meets on a regular basis to contribute to and approve the strategic direction of YMCA Central and significant organisational strategic initiatives. Its emphasis is on outward vision and strategic leadership, cultivating a diversity of viewpoints, collective decision making and safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults.

Role of the Board & Management

The Board has responsibility for the affairs and activities of YMCA Central. The Board recognises the importance of focusing on governance of the business and value growth, rather than management of the business. The Chief Executive is charged with the day-to-day running of the organisation, and provides the principal link between the Board and management, acting within authorities delegated by the Board.

YMCA Governance Committees

The Y enjoys the benefit of a close Staff-Director partnership through our Committees, strengthening the inherent trust between both roles and providing tangible support and improved knowledge sharing.

Committees of the Board play an important role in achieving the good governance of YMCA Central and delivering the vision of our strategic plan.

Committee members are appointed by the Board. The Chair, by right of office is a member of each Committee.

Risk, Audit and Finance

Chair – Nick Evans
Members – Marina Cook, Christopher Russell, Ian Craigie, Virginia Liu

Annual Reports

YMCA Central’s Annual Report details our financial information and explains our operations and the scope of our business.

To review the latest Financial Annual Report please click here.

Board Members

Eileen BasherBoard Chair

Eileen became involved with the YMCA as a Board member for Greater Wellington in 2018. She is sure that being part of several Y leadership programs as a teenager helped form her leadership skills today. She is keen to try and ensure that these programs deliver to today’s youth. Eileen has strong governance experience through her senior management roles within government and private industry. She has also been on the National Y Board for 4 years, two of which were as President.

Murray CorpsDirector

Murray has been involved in the YMCA since 1976 and has held a number of positions over the years including being a participant, staff, management, governance and a trustee. Murray believes that the values of the Y should be central to life and the wellbeing of all people in the community. The Y, operating since 1861, has shown over many years its willingness and ability to adapt to the ever changing needs of the community. This is what makes the Y unique in its approach to supporting its communities – now and into the future. Murray has strong business skills currently operating four companies with seven businesses from multiple locations.

Richard Lloyd Director

Richard is based in Palmerston North and is currently Operations Manager for the Wellington and Palmerston North Campus’s for Massey University including oversight of student accommodation, having previously been a teacher and principal. He has experienced Y Central activities both at Camp Kaitoke and Raukawa with school groups and more recently with his daughter. He has been on the other side of School boards and is now looking to be involved at the governance level. He had good understanding of our values and the brand and the difference we are making in young peoples lives. Richard brings experience across the tertiary sector, accommodation, emergency management, security and youth and considers himself to be a people person.

Sam AndersonDirector

Sam is a leader and business professional, with a background in transformational programmes that have outcomes of positive change. Over the last fifteen years, her experience and knowledge has been centred around the health and education sector, where she led the recent implementation of the End of Life Choice Act and several transformative programmes of work within education. Sam was formally Board Chair for Youthline in Wellington and remains on the National Steering Committee. She is a qualified programme and change management professional, with a special interest in communities, education, stakeholder engagement and the introduction of positive change. Sam is passionate about keeping rangitahi and tamariki at the centre and wrapping support around them from whānau, their community, education professionals, and agencies in a joined up way that provides for and supports them holistically. She believes this gives the greatest opportunity to maximise each individual’s learning and leadership potential, in a way that is meaningful to them in their own individual context. Joining the Board of Y-Central is a natural extension of her professional, governance and volunteer experience in communities within the lower North Island.

Nick EvansDirector

Nick recently relocated from Invercargill to Wellington for work and at the same time shifted from the Y Southland Board to the Y Central Board. Nick is an accomplished leader with established skills in strategy, relationship management, governance, change management and operational management. Nick is also very passionate about the Y and leads the relationship with the National Y movement.

Melissa Ross Director

Melissa Ross is of Ngā Puhi descent. She was born in Kirikiriroa (Hamilton) and grew up in Kawerau, under the Maunga Pūtuaki. She joined Te Taua Moana ō Aotearoa (Royal New Zealand Navy) in February 1993 as a Marine Engineering Officer and retired from the NZ Defence Force in 2024.

Within the NZ Defence Force, she held roles in Strategy Execution, Strategy Development, Engineering Repair and Maintenance and Operational planning. She completed deployments to the Arabian Gulf, Timor Leste and Israel/ Lebanon.

Melissa has been a member of the Coastguard NZ board since 2022 and joined the YMCA central board in 2024. She held many governance positions within the NZ Defence focused on Organisational performance, Risk, Health and Safety, Workforce and People, Acquisition and procurement and was the NZ Defence Regulatory Authority for hazard substances. Melissa has taken a sabbatical year to attend Te Wānanga o Raukawa and improve her Te Reo Māori fluency and Tikanga understanding.

Anthony de Rose Director

Anthony’s involvement with the YMCA goes back almost 4 decades when he entered the Colombo YMCA Gym to play basketball. Since then he has been involved in many YMCA social and philanthropic projects such as directing youth camps, school prefect seminars, and coordinating flag days. Prior to migrating to New Zealand in 2001 Anthony was the Treasurer and National Vice President of the National Council of YMCA, Sri Lanka, and represented YMCA Sri Lanka at the centenary celebrations hosted by HM Queen Elizabeth in London
Currently, CEO of Skylight, an impact-focused organisation that works to improve children’s mental resilience and well-being. Anthony has an MBA from Victoria University, a professional management accountant, and represents New Zealand on the Australasian Regional Engagement Group of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, UK.

Y Central Life Members

Barry HislopDirector

Barry has had a life time of involvement with the YMCA, he has held many leadership and management functions with the Y over 40 years. Barry has had an extensive career with over 45 years in the sport and recreation and injury prevention sector across NZ. He has been involved developing national and regional physical activity strategies. He has been involved in a wide range of NZ high-performance sports settings as an advisor, coach, developer, athlete, and supporter and is currently still involved in supporting communities to develop physical activity pathways and encouraging our young people to learn and explore their potential.

LEARN, GROW AND THRIVE AT THE Y

When school is out, the Y is in! The Y offers a range of recreational based kids programming available throughout the year. Our programmes create fun, safe, fun-filled environments for kids to grow in body mind and spirit. Our values of caring, respect, honesty and responsibility are paramount to the delivery of our programmes.

WHAT WE OFFER

Early Childhood Education
Y-Kids
Outdoor Education
Education
Youth Services
Sport, Recreation & Fitness
Accommodation
Venue Hire

About Us

Donate

CONTACT US

Ph: 0800 YMCA 4u (962248)
Email: contact@ycentral.nz

FIND US

YMCA Pilmuir Accommodation
YMCA Upper Hutt
YMCA Kaitoke Outdoor Education Centre
YMCA Porirua
YMCA Masterton
YMCA Whanganui
YMCA Palmerston North
YMCA Camp Raukawa

FEEDBACK & COMPLAINTS

Y-Central is fully committed to listening and responding to all customers, staff and public concerns, questions or comments about our organisation. Our priority is to have an open and accountable organisational culture that understands the needs of children, their whanau, and our community. We welcome your feedback.

Send Us Feedback

DO YOU HAVE A SAFEGUARDING CONCERN ABOUT A CHILD, YOUNG PERSON OR STAFF MEMBER?

Contact the safeguarding advisor

Governance of the Y

YMCA Central Incorporated