BRIAN GORDON

Brian was appointed as a Trustee in 2014. He is a semi-retired dairy farmer from Eureka and is passionate about the dairy industry.

Brian volunteered to be a Trustee partly to assist with the farm which the Trust owns, but also to give back to the community using the benefit of some of his life experiences.

Brian considers that important governance decisions which the Trustees make now will hold the Awarua Trust in a good position for a long future.

Brian and his wife, Sheryll, live in Gordonton and have 3 adult children.

GAVIN HADDON

Gavin is a Director of CooperAitken Limited, a thriving chartered accountancy firm formed through several amalgamations of long-serving Morrinsville based accountancy firms.

Gavin was born and bred in the neighbouring town of Te Aroha. He has invested in farming and this association, as well as his day-to-day involvement with an extensive farming and business clientele, makes him ideally qualified for his trustee role.

Gavin was associated with Edna Money for more than 20 years and their shared philosophy on education within the rural sector was the catalyst which led to the formation of the Awarua Trust.

Gavin and his wife, Maree, have two children; a daughter and a son. Gavin is a member of the Morrinsville Lions Club and is a board member of the Morrinsville Lions Charitable Trust and the Morrinsville Rugby Sports and Recreation Club.

JOHN DAWSON

John is a registered farm management consultant based in Morrinsville. He has his own farm management consulting practice. He has a Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Massey University). His previous roles include 14 years as a farm advisory officer with M.A.F. (in Westland, UK and Morrinsville) and 12 years as a dairy co-operative executive with New Zealand Dairy Group.  

John has experience in farm governance and supervision, Māori agriculture, farm recruitment, product innovation and more. He is an equity partner in a 500 cow dairy farm near Taupo and is also an investor in a forestry development.

John is a past president of the Morrinsville Rotary Club, a past member on the Board of Trustees for Morrinsville Primary School, and a past chairman and fellow of St. Paul’s Collegiate School.

John enjoys the involvement with the Awarua Trust and sees it as a privilege to be in a position to carry on the legacy of Edna.

John and his wife, Alison, live in Morrinsville and have 3 adult children.

KERRY MASON

Kerry is passionate about seeing young people succeed through education. She is a qualified teacher and has extensive experience in the education sector from early childhood right through to secondary school. Kerry helped establish the Gateway work placement programme at Morrinsville College. She currently works as a kindergarten teacher and has been involved in a variety of community organisations, school committees, and sport committees.

Kerry is enthusiastic about the opportunities that the Awarua Trust provides in supporting young people and community groups to achieve their goals.

Kerry has lived in the Morrinsville community for more than twenty years with her husband, Richard, who owns a local business. Kerry and Richard have three children; a son and two daughters.

TONY MCLAREN

Tony is new to the Trust, being appointed Trustee in 2019.

With his wife Jan, Tony owns and operates McLarens Rural Services Ltd, a milking machine, water pump and Stihlshop Sales and Service Centre in Morrinsville. The business ensures Tony has wide ranging dealings with members of both the rural and town communities which is further enhanced by his involvement in the Morrinsville Rugby & Sports Club as a coach, administrator, and life member. Tony is also a Trustee of the Campbell Park Charitable Trust.

Tony sees the Awarua Trust as something of a hidden gem for the area and is excited about his role as a Trustee. Whilst ensuring the aims of the trust deed are complied with, and the benefits the Trust offers are taken up, Tony views promoting the values of the Trust and lifting its profile in the community as crucial and rewarding parts of the role.

Tony and Jan have one son, and have been back living in Morrinsville for over 25 years.