Our Trustees
CHRIS efford
Chairperson
he/him
I love volunteering in and supporting my community, I also love BUGS!!
I love my role as Chairperson, I have a great team of trustees that work alongside me and we get to support our awesome team of Katrina, Sandra, our other contractors and Soupervisors to make awesome things happen for youth in our community.
Rick Astley – Never Gonna give you up! – Because it’s a great song and equally annoying to all!
Sandra Yeomans
Administrator
she/her
Loving life on the West Coast and grateful to be part of such a caring & strong community. Family is what I cherish the most.
I'm in this role because I am inspired every day by the amazing young people and adults who are involved in the Trust and I want to support their mahi and help out wherever I can.
Song recommendation: Dalai Lama - One Of My Favorite Prayers (from Inner World) music which instills calm. It's the first time the Dalai had prayers set to music and was created with NZ musician Junelle Kunin.
Judy Hay
Trustee
she/her
Teri-anne bell
Trustee
she/her
I'm a born and bred West Coaster and feel fortunate to have been able to bring my children up here.
I have worked for a considerable time in the Youth Sector and this has given me firsthand insight into socio-economic challenges faced by many of our youth. This experience has fueled my passion for supporting GDYT's mission to uplift and empower youth.
Song recommendation: Girls Just Want to Have Fun (Cyndi Lauper)
Andrina Butler
TRUSTEE
SHE/HER
I’m originally from Whakatū and have a background in psychology (MSc).
You will also never see me without a funny pair of socks! I am all about developing positive opportunities for youth and cannot wait to see what 2025 brings as a GDYT Trustee.
Song recommendation: Mother – 8 Mix. What a bop
TANIA GIBSON
TRUSTEE
she/her
I am passionate about the role that the youth of our district play and want to encourage, support and help facilitate their voice in our district. I hold the Youth Portfolio at the Grey District Council and work on the Grey District Youth Trust as a Trustee to work to be active in the youth space.
I am affiliated with other Mayors around the Country on a project called Mayors Taskforce for Jobs that helps Youth in our area find careers and employment. I want to help make our district an inviting, vibrant place for our youth and let them know what how lucky we are to live where we do.
Josie Young
TRUSTEE
she/her
Catherine O’Leary
TRUSTEE
she/her
Kaia Beal
TRUSTEE
he/him
I'm originally from Southland and moved to the West Coast when I was two. I work in the local government sector, initially with Grey District Council and currently at Christchurch City Council in the infrastructure area. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my whānau and friends and occasionally swimming at the beach.
I believe that youth are the future and that being part of the trust offers young people in the district valuable opportunities to grow, develop, and make positive contributions to the community.
I've been enjoying singing 'Blame It on the Rain' by Milli Vanilli with my friends, a song that has recently made a comeback on the charts.
SAMANTHA MORTIMER
TRUSTEE
she/her
I am the Principal at Greymouth High School. I am married with two grown up children as well as a cat and a dog!
I love working with Grey District Youth Trust as their goals of offering amazing opportunities for our rangatahi fit very closely with my own as a person and as the Principal of Grey High.
I have very eclectic taste in music and enjoy listening to a bit of everything.
Our Advisor Trustees
Kyle hsieh
Advisor Trustee
he/him
I am a Bachelor of Music student at UC. I also like collecting and playing board games.
I am a Trustee Advisor because I like to help bring knowledge and learning back to the Grey District Youth.
'People' by Alfa Mist is a beautiful track.
samantha bergin
Advisor Trustee
she/her
Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Kahu, Ngāti Maniapoto me Ngāti Maru
I am a third year University student who has a passion for Māori, Hauora and Rangatahi advocacy.
I believe it's crucial we have rangatahi Māori voice and representation here in the Māwhera District.
Song: Love me by Fia
Fred struve
Advisor Trustee
he/him
Hannah hsieh
Advisor Trustee
she/her
Creativity and youth advocacy have always been a strong passion of mine, with Art Soup being a project I've grown with my peers for the past 3 years. I love to read, cuddle with my pet rats, and discover new music whether online or live!
Being an advisor trustee allows me to support other youths to have their voices heard, and to create opportunities with the youth trust.
'Sienna by The Marías', such a beautiful, dreamy, yet sad song, one of my favorites by the band.