Our Boards
Our Board

Charlotte specialises in employment law as well as acting for a variety of national and international companies, and has a particular interest in the transport, construction and retail sectors.
She provides advice on all areas of employment law, including personal grievances, restraints of trade, restructures and issues involving the Holidays Act.
She has significant advocacy experience and specialist expertise in carrying out employment investigations into matters such as fraud, bullying, harassment and theft.
Charlotte also regularly presents on employment law topics to industry bodies and at national conferences.

Ross has been involved in the private equity and venture capital industry in Asia, Australia and New Zealand since 1987 and played a key role in establishing the private equity industry in New Zealand. Ross is currently a director of Bayleys, Beca and Mondiale VGL.

Like many companies of multiple generations, Carr and Haslam has survived by adapting. In the late 1800s it transported goods for the Nathan Family, later Lion Breweries, and products such as Choysa tea and Nestle coffee beans.
When shipping containers arrived in the early 1970s, Carr and Haslam established a container fleet with swing lifts, skeleton and flat deck trailer combinations for operations throughout the North Island. It exited the container business in 2017 and has since been an early adapter of technologies as they emerge.
Chris is a long-standing board member and is also a member of the Auckland Business Forum and a former director of Rally NZ.

Fred is the Managing Director of Wilson Hellaby Limited which includes Auckland Meat Processors Ltd and PVL Proteins Ltd. Wilson Hellaby sources selected livestock from farmers, and delivering PRIME beef, lamb and pork to customers throughout New Zealand and around the world. Auckland Meat Processors and Ruakura Meat Processors undertake the processing operations of the group. PVL Proteins processes and sells rendering products such as tallows and meat + bone meal with the aim of maximising the value from all parts of the animal.
Fred has been an MIA Council member since February 2009. Fred holds an LLB from Canterbury University.

Peter has held several directorships over the years, including being on the Board of Auckland Rugby, and still is a current Board Member of realestate.co.nz. He was awarded Life Membership of the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand in 2011 and was made a Life Member of Auckland Rugby in December 2017.

Rakesh established and chaired the Reinforcing Steel Association of NZ and supports and consults with Government initiated research projects and testing programs.
Rakesh has led his team and Company to win several prestigious awards including the 2015 Excellence Awards, Best of the Best Supreme Awards (Westpac Business Awards).

Mike has experience in strategic management, corporate company restructures, international sales and marketing, retail, franchise and industrial markets.
With experience leading four multi-million-dollar operations, Mike has a successful record in taking these businesses from conception to profitable operations.
Mike completed his directorship qualifications in 2014 and currently sits on three boards. He is also a Company Director at Leaderkit which it is an online strategy development tool that allows CEO's, Owners and Senior Executives to develop, plan and execute strategy with their teams, allowing ownership, alignment, accountability and full transparency across the core team.

She has been with Deloitte for over 20 years and has worked with many large corporate and fast growing private businesses. She has experiences across a wide range of industries, including farming, forestry, dairy and food manufacturing, property development/investment, and financial services. Jenny leads Deloitte NZ’s Chinese Services Group and is well connected to the Chinese business community.
Jenny was also a member of the AUT business school advisory board between 2019 and 2021.
Being a woman and an ethnic minority she contributes regularly from a D&I perspective, within and outside work.

Ella has held senior roles across both public and private sectors, leading destination promotion across Asia Pacific for Queenstown and regional economic development for Southland. She also led external engagement at the University of Auckland Business School, forging partnerships to advance teaching, research, and innovation.
She holds a Bachelor of Tourism Management (Honours) from Victoria University of Wellington and an MBA from the University of Auckland. Passionate about governance, Ella is Deputy Chair of Destination Coromandel and a Director of Auckland Golf Incorporated, with a focus on diversity, sustainability, and long-term community impact.

Following a distinguished international rugby career representing New Zealand on the world stage, Mils transitioned into media, business, and community leadership. Today, he is a qualified financial adviser and the co-Director of The Mortgage Hub NZ, where he supports families on their path to home ownership and financial security through home loans, KiwiSaver, and insurance.
Driven by a passion for financial literacy and creating intergenerational change, Mils studied to become a Financial Adviser and is committed to breaking down barriers so more families have the knowledge and tools to build brighter financial futures.
Mils brings to the Auckland Business Chamber Board not only his leadership experience and professional expertise, but also a strong belief in the power of community, connection, and opportunity.
Our Management Team

Simon Bridges was the National MP for Tauranga and is a former New Zealand Leader of the Opposition and senior Cabinet Minister. As a member of Cabinet in the last National-led Government, he held several ministerial portfolios including Energy, Transport, Communications, Economic Development and Leader of the House. During his tenure as a Minister, Simon helped roll-out nation-building infrastructure like Ultra-Fast Broadband, and opened major new roads like the Waterview Tunnel as Transport Minister.
Prior to standing for Parliament, Simon was a litigation lawyer at prestigious law firm Kensington Swan in Auckland. He then moved to Tauranga in 2001, taking on the role of a senior Crown Prosecutor in the District and High Courts.


She also leads the Employment Division, which has supported more than 28,000 people into work over her 20-year career through programmes such as CadetMax and Chamber Drive, Auckland’s largest driver licence training provider. A recognised expert in youth employability, Leah and her team connect job seekers with employers, supporting youth, migrants, Māori and Pacific peoples, and people with disabilities.
Previously, Leah owned a tech PTE and a web development SME, and her international upbringing gives her a strong connection to diverse communities.

Yvette's role with the Chamber includes managing the Alliance Partners nationwide, Chamber Mentor Programme, RBP Programme and First Steps.
She is passionate about business, and having owned her own business, understands the pressures and challenges SMEs face.
Asian Business Advisory Board
Purpose of the Asian Business Advisory Board
The Asian Business Advisory Board represents the voices and experiences of business leaders across Auckland’s Asian communities, working to simplify and improve business opportunities in the region.
The board’s responsibilities are to:
- Identify the key challenges facing Asian business communities.
- Provide strategic guidance to support business growth and shape policy decisions.
- Strengthen our engagement and relationships with Asian business communities.
Members of the board

Jian taught International Relations at the University of Auckland from 1999 to 2011. While at the University, he also served as Chair of the Auckland Branch of New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Director of China Studies Centre at the New Zealand Asia Institute. Jian was a frequent commentator of international affairs.
In November 2011, Jian became a Member of Parliament and served for three terms till October 2020.
While at Parliament, Jian chaired the Education and Science Select Committee and the Governance and Administration Select Committee. He was also Deputy Chair of the Health Select Committee, Parliamentary Secretary for Minister of Ethnic Communities, National Party Spokesperson for Statistics and Deputy Spokesperson for ethnic communities. Jian also sat on the Commerce Select Committee, Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade Select Committee, Transport and Industrial Relations Select Committee.
After his retirement from politics, Jian set up DY Consulting (NZ) Limited. He also established the New Zealand Chinese Business Club and the Federation of New Zealand Chinese Business Associations. Jian currently chairs both the Club and the Federation.

Alex has been a licensed Immigration Adviser since 2010 and specialises in providing immigration and education advice to clients and international students both onshore and offshore. Prior to this, he had worked at senior management level in different private training establishments offering courses to international students.
Apart from his own business, Alex has also been actively involved in promoting business and cultural exchanges between New Zealand and China.
He currently serves as the Chairman and President at the Federation of New Zealand Shenzhen Societies, as well as the Executive President at the Canton Chamber of Commerce in New Zealand. He is also a Board Member of the Employers & Manufacturers Association (EMA) and the Executive Member of New Zealand China Trade Association (NZCTA).
Alex completed his Bachelor of Arts in China and MBA at Massey University in 2004.

As the owner of Harcourts Ignite Realty and a director of several companies, Iresh brings extensive leadership experience and entrepreneurial spirit to everything he does.
Iresh is originally from Sri Lanka, he has called New Zealand home for over 16 years. His passion for both business and community has driven him to become an influential figure in Auckland’s business landscape. He is deeply committed to fostering strong ties within the local community and to helping bridge the gap between diverse cultural groups and the business world.
Through his work with the Sri Lanka Business Association and the Asian Advisory Council, Iresh actively contributes to the success of minority-owned businesses in Auckland. His involvement in these organizations demonstrates his dedication to promoting economic growth and supporting local entrepreneurs.
Iresh’s influence also extends to the political sphere, where his active participation in local initiatives and relationships with political leaders helps to shape policies that benefit the community. His voice is a key one in ensuring that the interests of both the Sri Lankan community and the broader Asian community are well-represented.
Iresh’s primary business is real estate, where he has developed a strong understanding of Auckland’s property landscape, including lifestyle properties. With more than seven years of experience and a history of success, Iresh has established himself as an award-winning real estate sales agent and a respected director of Harcourts Ignite Realty.
Iresh’s achievements in real estate have earned him numerous awards, recognising his dedication and outstanding performance in the field. These accolades are a testament to his work ethic and his focus on delivering exceptional results for his clients.
For Iresh, real estate is more than just transactions—it’s about building meaningful relationships and becoming a trusted resource for the residents and property owners of Auckland. His active involvement in community events and initiatives has helped foster long-lasting connections with his clients and colleagues, contributing to his reputation as a trusted advisor in both business and community matters.

He had helped to establish various interior design companies in New Zealand on behalf of Singaporean owners. He had recently established Wanderful Projects Limited and Nexus DP Limited focusing on residential and commercial renovation, retrofitting, solar, project management, and interior design projects.
As the President of SBANZ, his vision is to strengthen Singapore-New Zealand business ties through trade, investment, and cultural exchange initiatives. He emphasizes networking, sustainability, and technological innovation, aiming to make SBANZ a cornerstone of economic prosperity for both nations.

As a self-employed entrepreneur, Dinesh proudly serves as the Director of Eagle Eye Limited, a company now recognised as a Living Wage Accredited Employer. The journey of building a business from the ground up has imparted invaluable lessons and acquainted him with the nuances of the real world, underscoring the importance of resilience in the face of challenges. He has been fortunate to engage with a diverse array of individuals, interactions that have left a mark and helped shape his identity.
His dedication to community service and advocacy has manifested through his tenure as the past President of the New Zealand Nepal Society and the New Zealand Nepal Chamber of Commerce Inc. In these roles, Dinesh had the privilege of collaborating with numerous community leaders who shared his unwavering commitment to a shared vision. This spirit of service was further accentuated when he undertook the role of an accredited Justice of the Peace, with the intent of extending assistance to various community groups.
This avenue of engagement has allowed him to cultivate robust bonds and significantly support and strengthen the Nepalese community in Auckland and across New Zealand. Furthermore, in recognition of his continued dedication to fostering ties between Nepal and New Zealand, Dinesh has assumed the prestigious role of Honorary Consul of Nepal to Auckland, New Zealand, since July 2022. This esteemed position underscores his unwavering commitment to furthering diplomatic and cultural connections between the two nations.

Recognised by Campaign Asia Pacific as part of its 2020 Women to Watch, a group of 40 outstanding women in the Asia Pacific, Ziena is a keynote speaker on leadership, Asia business, international education, and diversity, equity and inclusion.
She has received several international awards for her work promoting New Zealand trade and education in Asia, where she was based for ten years as Regional Director (South and Southeast Asia) for Education New Zealand, New Zealand Trade Commissioner to Singapore, and Head of North Asia Marketing and Communications for New Zealand Trade and Enterprise.

Specializing in the highly complex field of taxation, Dave serves as the Special Counsel for Stace Hammond Lawyers and acts as an advisor to local companies wanting to expand their business in Asia and the Middle East.
Holding the position of President at the NZ Malaysia Business Association (NZMBA) based in Auckland, Dave oversees a spectrum of activities, including facilitating interaction and networking among Malaysians within the society and fostering connections with the wider business community in New Zealand.
His responsibilities also encompass promoting bilateral trade and networking initiatives between Malaysia, ASEAN, the Middle East, and New Zealand-based businesses, as well as strengthening government and ambassadorial relationships. Additionally, as an advocate for entrepreneurship, he assists NZMBA members in diverse business areas, offering guidance in start-ups, investments, legal matters, finance, immigration, and taxation.

He is on the boards of the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission, Water Services Authority Taumata Arowai, Auckland Transport and Corde Limited. He is a past director of Murrumbidgee Irrigation Limited, Water Services Association of Australia, The Committee for Auckland and Wellington Water Limited.
He has held chief executive and senior roles in private and public sectors in Australia and in New Zealand. Until November 2020, he was Chief Executive of Watercare Services Limited. He has extensive experience in transforming organisations, creating customer value and contributing to community outcomes.

Shafiqur’s career includes roles as an Assistant Engineer at the Public Works Department in Dhaka (1981-1985), Senior Civil Engineer in Oman (1985-1994), Senior Design Engineer at DDC in Dhaka (1995-1998), Assets Engineer with Manukau City Council in New Zealand (2003-2010), Development Engineer at Watercare (2010), and Senior Network Engineer in Oman (2010-2013). He is a Graduate Member of IPENZ and a Life Fellow of IEB in Bangladesh.
He is the Founder President of Abahani Samarthak Gosthi (1980-1982) and the Bangabandhu Parishad in New Zealand (1999-2008, 2013-2016). Shafiqur has also held leadership positions in the IEB, including Chairman of the Oman Chapter (2011) and the NZ Chapter (2020). He has served two terms as Vice President of the Bangladesh Association New Zealand Inc. (BANZI) and was the General Secretary from 2000 to 2002.

Prior to this, Garry has vast experience of over 15 years, working in New Zealand, in the community and business space. Garry is a marketing and communications professional and an entrepreneur, with experience in media, marketing, management & strategy.
He has been the Secretary of the India New Zealand Business Council, from 2013 to July 2024 and was key in running operations of the Council and growing the organisation strategically through it’s events, marketing, communications, reports and publications.
He also founded the Migrant Careers Support Trust, in 2019. A non-profit charitable trust which aims to achieve social equity, inclusion and social cohesion by better economic integration of people from the ethnic communities, in the New Zealand society.
A migrant from India, Garry came to New Zealand in 2009 and started his career in the film industry. He moved to marketing and growth of some big community media brands in Auckland, covering radio, print and digital media. Prior to coming to New Zealand, he had 10 years’ experience as an executive producer in films, television and broadcast news.

Her expertise lies in implementing international sales strategies and managing complex manufacturing projects. She currently serves as the Sales Operations Manager at Sistema Plastics, an iconic New Zealand kitchen and home storage manufacturer that is part of Newell Brands. In this role, Dahee has been instrumental in bridging operations and sales across multiple regions, including ANZ, EMEA, the US, and Asia, with a particular focus on South Korea and Japan.
Prior to her role at Sistema, Dahee successfully managed projects and client relations for ExportNav, where she helped several New Zealand brands with exporting and brand building in the South Korean market.
She completed her BCom in Marketing and Management from Victoria University of Wellington in 2019 and has experience across various industries, including international education at Education New Zealand, packaging distribution, branding and marketing, and global hospitality and event management in 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics and Paralympics.
Always eager to take on new challenges and build communities, Dahee excels at staying ahead of global market trends and fostering connections.

An accomplished Executive Leader with over 24 years of extensive experience in general management and commercial business, known for his people-centric focus in driving strategic growth, operational excellence and revenue optimization. Demonstrates a proven track record in leading cross-functional teams, optimizing business processes, and enhancing profitability. Highly skilled in developing and executing business strategies that align with organizational goals, fostering innovation, and building sustainable competitive advantages. Committed to cultivating a high-performance culture and empowering teams to achieve exceptional business outcomes.

A former President of the Pakistan Association of New Zealand, Naveed, played a pivotal role in advocating for migrant families, ensuring community voices were represented, and building constructive partnerships with government agencies and civil society. During his tenure, he led the Association through significant reforms, strengthened its governance, and guided it in responding effectively during national crises. His leadership was marked by initiatives that promoted unity, cultural recognition, and the development of sustainable community projects.
In addition to these roles, Naveed has continued his commitment to advisory and mentoring responsibilities. As a Mentor of the Pakistan–New Zealand Business Council, he actively supports efforts to expand trade opportunities and strengthen commercial links between New Zealand and Pakistan. He is deeply engaged in helping entrepreneurs and minority-owned businesses succeed, ensuring they have access to networks, knowledge, and opportunities for growth.
Naveed’s work has consistently reflected his belief in bridging business and community interests. He has contributed to policy discussions, engaged with ethnic and business leaders, and worked to create pathways that foster collaboration and economic inclusion. Whether through supporting local enterprises, guiding governance processes, or facilitating cultural exchange, his focus has remained on enabling both communities and businesses to thrive together.
With a professional background in finance, property, and international business, Naveed brings both expertise and vision to everything he undertakes. Today, he continues to dedicate his time to strengthening relationships, supporting entrepreneurs, and contributing to a stronger and more cohesive New Zealand society. Through the Al-Falah Educational Trust, he is also leading the development of a $3 million community centre and masjid in Auckland, with 90% of the project now completed, a milestone that reflects his enduring commitment to service and community building.

Today, from her base in New Zealand, Voramanee acts as a strategic bridge for global business. In her role as President of the New Zealand–Thailand Business Association (NZTBA), she focuses on turning economic potential into practical opportunities, helping businesses in both countries connect, collaborate, and grow.
Her work brings together key players across finance, tech, renewable energy, and property. With a deep network spanning government and industry sectors, Voramanee excels at building relationships that drive cross-border growth. She also brings this expertise to the Auckland Business Chamber as an Advisory Board Member and Honorary Advisor for Thailand, where she actively fosters closer ties between the Thai and New Zealand business communities.

His career has spanned large corporates, start-ups and government, working across trade and investment, innovation strategy, capital raising and international engagement, including roles and projects across New Zealand, Australia, Asia, Europe and the United States.
Tim is a frequent moderator and MC at major domestic and international business events, convening senior business leaders, policymakers and global experts to explore issues shaping New Zealand’s economic future. He is also a regular business commentator.
Tim holds a Master of Bioscience Enterprise (First Class Honours) and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Auckland, and a Certificate in te reo Māori from AUT University.

She holds an MPhil in Food Service Management and Dietetics and an MSc in Foods and Nutrition from India, complemented by a Postgraduate Certificate in Commercialisation and Entrepreneurship from the University of Auckland. Her career includes senior leadership roles with Kellogg, Nestlé and PepsiCo, providing extensive experience in functional foods, beverages, nutraceuticals, consumer markets and business growth.
Widely recognised as a trusted connector, Mallika brings together businesses, investors, policymakers, researchers, Māori enterprises and diaspora networks to advance trade, investment, innovation and knowledge exchange. She is particularly committed to fostering Indigenous-to-Indigenous partnerships between Māori enterprises and Indian markets, creating opportunities that combine traditional knowledge, innovation and sustainable economic development.
A passionate advocate for women’s health and leadership, Mallika leads diaspora-driven initiatives focused on maternal and menstrual health, entrepreneurship and community wellbeing. She has also contributed to trade and economic engagement initiatives alongside the Consulate General of India in Auckland and as the Ambassador for Indiaspora, played a leading role in delivering Indiaspora’s inaugural Auckland roadshow.
A sought-after speaker and freelance writer on trade, health innovation, women’s leadership and diaspora engagement, Mallika brings a distinctive blend of governance experience, strategic insight and international networks. Her inclusion in the official New Zealand business delegation to India for the signing of the New Zealand-India Free Trade Agreement at Bharat Mandapam reflects her contribution to strengthening bilateral economic and institutional ties between New Zealand and India.
