NZQA Board Members

The New Zealand Qualifications Authority is headed by a Board appointed by the Minister of Education. The Board represents industry, community and education interests.

Sue Suckling - Board Chair

Sue Suckling is a governance specialist. Previously Board Chair of both the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Ltd and AgriQuality Ltd. Other governance roles have been Chair of The Oxford Clinic in Christchurch and the Carson Group. She is currently a member of the Takeovers Panel, Chair of Barkers Fruit Processors Ltd, Board member of Restaurant Brands, Board member of SKYCITY Entertainment Group, Chair of ECL Group Ltd, Chair of Carter Price Rennie Ltd.

Board term commenced: 1 April 2006. Expires: 31 March 2012

Jenn Bestwick

Jenn Bestwick's professional career has been largely in strategy and business development.  Following a number of years in the health sector Jenn led the Strategic Consulting practice for KPMG in Auckland for a number of years working extensively in the public and private sectors.  Following a move to Christchurch Jenn spent a number of years working with Ngai Tahu where she was more recently General Manager, Strategy and Planning for Ngai Tahu Holdings Group, the commercial arm of the iwi's operations.  During her time with the tribe she was responsible for the development and implementation of the Iwi's Finanical Literacy and Tribal Distribution and Savings Scheme, Whai Rawa, and the conceptualisation and implementation of a tribal sustainability framework which takes an innovative approach to integrating Ngai Tahu values and commercial sustainability approaches.

Jenn has a strong association with the tertiary education sector and is the current Chair of CPIT. 

Board term commenced: 1 November 2010. Expires 31 October 2012.

Tanira Kingi

Dr Tanira Kingi is a Science Strategy Advisor with AgResearch Ltd.  Before his appointment in early 2010 he was with Massey University’s Agricultural Systems group for 15 years.  He is currently a director with Agriculture ITO (since 1998), a board member of Waerenga Incorporation, a trustee of the Plant & Willow Trust and chief negotiator and chair of the Rotorua Dairy Farmer’s Collective. Tanira has held past board positions with Aohanga Incorporation and Ngati Whakaue Tribal Lands and has been an advisor to a number of government agencies on Maori land issues for the past 20 years. Tanira has a PhD in agricultural economics and development from the Australian National University and his tribal affiliations include Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Rangitihi, Ngāti Makino and Ngāti Awa.

Board term commenced: 1 November 2010. Expires 31 October 2012.

Alison McAlpine

Alison McAlpine is chair of the Teachers Council and has recently retired as a Nelson City Councillor and was formerly principal of Nelson College for Girls since 1990. Before that, she was Deputy Principal and Assistant Principal for Waimea College in Richmond. She has been seconded into a variety of Ministry of Education roles, and was appointed leader of the Ministry of Education Intervention Team from 2003 to 2004. She is currently a member of SPANZ (Secondary Principals of New Zealand) Executive Committee and sits on a number of reference groups for them. From 2000 - 2003 she was involved with the UNESCO Education Sub-commission for the New Zealand secondary school sector and was a Hillary Commissioner from 1996 - 2002.

Board term commenced: 1 January 2008. Expires 31 December 2013.

John Morgan

John Morgan has been the Chief Executive of National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Limited (NIWA) since April 2007.  He was previously CEO of AgriQuality which he joined in 1999 after a number of years as a senior executive and director in the chemical and bioscience industries.  John is currently Chairman of Science New Zealand and has extensive governance experience; previous roles include Chairman of Clearlite Ltd, Executive Director of AgriQuality Australia, Chairman of New Zealand Pharmaceuticals Ltd and Executive Director of Orica New Zealand Ltd.  John is also currently Chairman of North Harbour Rugby Union and a Director of Blues Franchise Ltd.

Board term commenced: 17 July 2006. Expires: 16 July 2012.

Neil Quigley

Neil Quigley is Professor of Economics and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) at Victoria University of Wellington. He completed his BA and MA at the University of Canterbury before completing a PhD at the University of Toronto.  He serves on the boards of a number of educational organisations and companies, including being Chair of the Board of Trustees of Wellington College.  Neil’s research interests are in applied finance, industrial organisation, and the boundaries between law and economics. His most recent work has been on the pricing of real estate leases, and compensation for takings of property rights.

Board term commenced: 1 November 2010. Expires 31 October 2012.

Shona Smith

Shona Smith is Deputy Principal of Waitakere College in Henderson, Auckland. Formerly Head of English at Birkenhead College, a teacher at four different Auckland secondary schools, and a member of the Scholarship Processes Advisory Group, she has a wide range of curriculum, assessment and qualifications expertise. Shona has also served on the NCEA Forum and was the convenor of Te Tiro Hou – the Qualifications Framework Inquiry in 1996-97. She is a former National President of the NZ PPTA and former President of the Auckland Secondary and Deputy Principals Association. She additionally served two terms on the Auckland College of Education Council.

Board term commenced: 1 August 2008. Expires 31 July 2011.

Murray Strong

Murray Strong is a professional director and accredited member of the Institute of Directors of New Zealand.  He has governance and senior management experience across a variety of sectors, including education, aviation, tourism and sport. In 2006, he was appointed the first Crown Commissioner in the tertiary sector at the Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki for a period of 22 months to address the ongoing financial and educational sustainability of the institution. He replaced the polytechnic’s Council and took on all legal, compliance, legislative and actual powers. Before that appointment, Murray held various directorships, senior management roles at Air New Zealand, and was Chairman of the Aviation, Tourism and Travel Training Organisation, a position he has held for six years.  Murray has been engaged by a number of private sector clients to assist them with their business issues over recent years – these projects have been based largely on transformation and change initiatives around governance reviews, right-sizing and customer focus.  Other roles Murray has held include CEO of a national sporting organisation, and Deputy Chairman of the Southern Regional Health School and Chairman of its finance committee.

Board term commenced: 1 November 2010. Expires 31 October 2012.

Keith Taylor

Keith Taylor is a professional non-executive director with board appointments including Reserve Bank of New Zealand, Earthquake Commission, Port Marlborough and Gough, Gough & Hamer. He has 25 years senior executive and director experience including 15 years as Chief Financial Officer then Chief Executive of Tower Limited.  He brings specialist skills in strategy and finance to the Board.

Board term commenced: 20 September 2007. Expires 31 August 2011.

Note: Board members whose terms have expired will continue under the provisions of the Crown Entities Act 2004 Section 32(3)