Bill, a Trustee of the Vinnies Tāmaki Makaurau Trust, has been deeply involved with the Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVDP) since the mid-1970s, starting at St. Mark's Parish in Pakuranga. In the early 1980s, he demonstrated his leadership by establishing a new conference at St. Ignatius Parish in Auckland’s Eastern Suburbs.
With 38 years of experience in the corporate sector at NZI Fire and General, where he retired as a member of the executive team in 1999, Bill brings extensive professional expertise to his role. His longstanding commitment to community service and governance makes him a valuable contributor to the Trust's mission of supporting vulnerable communities across Auckland.
Lupesina Koro, a Trustee of the Vinnies Tāmaki Makaurau Trust, brings extensive governance and leadership experience, along with a strong commitment to Pasifika communities. A former Young Vinnies leader at St Mary’s College, Lupesina’s journey with Vinnies began in her youth, where she developed a passion for service and leadership. She later served on Executive Leadership Teams for the Auckland University Pacific Island Students Association (AUPISA) and the South Pacific Indigenous Engineering Students (SPIES) Association.
In 2019, Lupesina was awarded the Prime Minister’s Scholarship for Latin America, enabling her to study in Mexico and deepen her global perspective. She remains active with the PMS Alumni Committee, supporting future scholarship applicants. With qualifications in Engineering (Hons) and Commerce from the University of Auckland, Lupesina has worked in engineering roles at Aurecon and Tektus. Her dedication to empowering indigenous youth and fostering cultural connections makes her an invaluable asset to the Trust’s mission.
John Packham, a Trustee of the Vinnies Tāmaki Makaurau Trust, brings a wealth of experience in finance and community service. As the owner of John Packham Chartered Accountants, he has provided expert financial guidance to a wide range of clients. John is passionate about empowering youth and has been actively involved in supporting since the 1990s. He also volunteers with Age Concern in Whangamata and supports South Auckland Totara Hospice fundraising.
John is deeply committed to fostering strong relationships with both Pasifika and Māori communities, aligning with Vinnies Tāmaki Makaurau's mission to work collaboratively with these communities and honor the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi1. His dedication to cultural understanding and community service will be invaluable in promoting social justice and inclusivity within these communities.
Josephine Bartley joins the Vinnies Tāmaki Makaurau Trust as a Trustee, bringing a wealth of leadership experience and a lifelong commitment to community service. As the first Pacific woman elected to Auckland Council, Josephine has been a trailblazer, representing the Maungakiekie-Tāmaki ward since 2018 and serving as Chair of the Regulatory and Safety Committee. Her governance expertise also includes her time as Chair of the Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Local Board.
Josephine’s connection to Vinnies runs deep—her mother was a dedicated volunteer, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, Josephine herself delivered food supplies to families in need while advocating for vulnerable communities. Rooted in a strong Catholic tradition and with Samoan heritage, she lives by the Samoan proverb "O le ala i le pule o le tautua"—the path to leadership is through service.
Passionate about empowering Pasifika and Māori communities, Josephine’s dedication to social justice and inclusivity makes her an invaluable asset to the Trust’s mission of fostering resilience and unity across Auckland.
Gerry Stevens, the current National President of the Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVDP) New Zealand, brings extensive leadership experience to his role. He joined SVDP in 2013 and has served as Spiritual Advisor for the Hutt Wairarapa Area Council and Area President for Kapi Mana. With a background in managing his own company in the Information and Data Storage industry, Gerry also played a key role in his children's school during the "Tomorrow's Schools" reforms. Married to Stephanie with five daughters and ten grandchildren, Gerry's commitment to family and community underscores his dedication to serving others through SVDP.
Paola Minehan, a dedicated Trustee of the Vinnies Tāmaki Makaurau Trust, brings experience in governance and community engagement. She has served on various boards, including the National Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVDP), where she has contributed to both short-term initiatives and long-term strategic planning. Passionate about fostering diverse and resilient communities, Paola combines her leadership skills with a focus on uniting people through shared purpose. Her commitment to social impact and her ability to collaborates makes her an asset to the Trust.
As a respected leader within the Tongan community, Dr. Prescott has served on numerous boards and government organisations, offering valuable insights rooted in both financial acumen and Pacific perspectives.
Dr. Prescott is a senior lecturer in accounting and finance at Unitec Institute of Technology’s School of Applied Business. With extensive expertise in financial and management accounting, he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the trust. His academic research focuses on small business sustainability, particularly in Pacific-operated businesses.
As a committed Christian, Dr. Prescott embodies the values of compassion, respect, and integrity—principles that lie at the heart of Vinnies Tāmaki Makaurau’s work to support whānau across Auckland. His leadership will undoubtedly strengthen the trust’s efforts to create a more just and inclusive society for all.
