Maungawhau School Board of Trustees
Our school is governed by parent representatives, our Principal Delanee Dale and an elected staff representative.
Our Role
All of New Zealand’s state and state-integrated schools have a board of trustees. The board is the Crown entity responsible for the governance and the control of the management of the school. The board is the employer of all staff in the school, is responsible for setting the school’s strategic direction in consultation with parents, staff and students, and ensuring that its school provides a safe environment and quality education for all its students. Boards are also responsible for overseeing the management of personnel, curriculum, property, finance and administration.
Board Elections
The current Board were elected in 2025 by our community.
Board Meetings
The board meets twice each term and we warmly welcome our parent community to our meetings. Please check the school calendar for meeting dates and times.
Meeting Protocols
We believe it is helpful to all those attending a meeting to be clear on meeting protocols. Board meetings are meetings held in public; they are not public meetings. If you would like to speak, please write to the Board Chair to request speaking rights in advance of a meeting.
Contacting the Board
If you have any feedback or wish to seek information from the board, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our Presiding Member (Board Chair) through the school office.
Our Board of Trustees
Is governed by our Principal Delanee Dale and the following elected representatives.
James David
PRESIDING MEMBER (AKA - HEMI)
I’ve lived in our wonderful community since I was four, and I absolutely love our school and everything it represents! It’s been awesome watching my children grow here—Thea has already completed her time at the school, and Jasper (Year 5), Molly (Year 3), and Ada (Year 1) are thriving. I’m incredibly proud to serve as the Presiding Member on the Board of Trustees and bring a real passion for education, shaped by years of coaching and mentoring across schools, universities, and the workplace. I’m a hands-on, energetic person who rolls up my sleeves to help out wherever needed. As a proud Ngāpuhi, I’m committed to empowering Māori and Pasifika to reach their full potential. With strong business acumen, commercial experience, and a background in sports coaching, I currently lead the Product Solutions Group for New Zealand at Datacom, New Zealand’s largest technology provider. I love creative thinking and human sciences and believe it’s key to driving great outcomes for our tamariki in a fast-paced digital world.
Anna Shackell Hibbert
PARENT REPRESENTATIVE
Kia ora, I’m Anna. I’m a parent of four boys—Oliver (who has now left Maungawhau), Thomas (Year 6), Charlie (Year 3), and Benji (Year 1)—and a proud former Maungawhau student myself. Having been actively involved in school life for many years, I’ve seen firsthand how special our Maungawhau community is—diverse, caring, and full of people who want the best for our tamariki. My professional background is in law, and I bring experience in governance, strategic thinking, and finding practical, people-focused solutions. I value empathy, collaboration, and clear communication, and I’m passionate about supporting an environment where every child feels valued and encouraged to do their best. It’s a real privilege to serve on the Board and to contribute to Maungawhau’s continued success as a welcoming, high-quality school at the heart of our community.
Matthew Cox
PARENT REPRESENTATIVE
I’m pumped to be part of the Board of Trustees at Maungawhau School — a place bursting with creativity, kindness, and community spirit. With two children attending over the past seven years, I have seen firsthand how this school brings learning to life and wraps every child in a sense of belonging. From kapa haka to science fairs, it’s a joy to watch our tamariki thrive in such a spirited environment. I’m delighted to support a school that’s as heart-filled and forward-thinking as Maungawhau.
Caleb Douglas
PARENT REPRESENTATIVE
Kia ora, my name is Caleb Douglas, and I am a parent to Maddison (Year 6), Harper (Year 4), and Imogen (Year 1). For the last 5 years, I've loved being an active part of the Maungawhau school community. I look forward to working closely with my fellow trustees, school leaders, teachers, parents, and the wider community to ensure Maungawhau remains a wonderful place where every child can thrive and grow. My professional background, as a Director of a residential building company, has given me a strong foundation in tackling complex issues and finding practical solutions. I'm used to looking at all sides of a situation, having honest conversations, and making decisions that are truly in the best interest of our school whānau.
Katie McClure
PARENT REPRESENTATIVE
I’m Katie—a proud mum of two children at Maungawhau School. I love being part of a school community that’s warm, vibrant, and genuinely committed to creating a positive learning environment. The strong sense of connection between families, staff, and students is something truly special, and I’m excited to help nurture that as a board member. My career has spanned a range of business and corporate roles across different functions. In my current position at Fonterra as Director of Global Foodservice Marketing & Innovation, I lead teams across the world and deeply value the power of leadership, cultural diversity, and creative problem-solving. I believe that when people come together around a shared sense of purpose, remarkable things can happen—and that’s just as true in a school setting as it is in business. It’s a privilege to give back to the community in a small way through my involvement on the school board. I believe strong communities are the foundation of a stronger Aotearoa New Zealand, and I’m proud to play a part in supporting ours.
Patricia Cooper
STAFF REPRESENTATIVE
Kia ora, I'm a proud member of our wonderful school staff (since 2017), and of our vibrant, inclusive school community (since 2007). My four children have cherished their experiences here, and I am glad to be a part of the skilful, creative and committed staff at Maungawhau school. Recently, my dual role as Science specialist and classroom release teacher, gives me a unique position to experience the incredible work done by our teaching and support staff across the whole school. Together we develop relationships, nurture interests, teach, and encourage our tamariki in their learning journeys. We are grateful for the support of an amazing school community, so I am pleased to continue to serve Maungawhau School as staff representative on the Board of Trustees.