TEAM

Administration

Advisor

Michael Fowler

Michael Fowler is a chartered accountant, who also runs a historic research and publication business. He is a Hastings District Councillor serving in his first term from 2022.

Board

Chris Moore Chairperson and Treasurer

Born in Timaru, Timaru West School, Timaru Boys’ High School, Canterbury University – B.Com in Accounting and Economics
Accounting roles at Unilever in Petone, William Cable in Wellington, and a market research role at A C Nielsen Pty Ltd in Wellington. Purchased a canvas and saddlery business in Hastings and after a few years, purchased a leather and grindery business which was also operated from Hastings. Sold the canvas business and joined up with a larger nation-wide leather and grindery business which involved a shift back to Wellington. Sold the larger business and carried out accounting contracts in the Wellington area. Also became the Secretary/Manager of Wellington Golf for five years. Moved back to Havelock North in 2002 and took on the Executive Officer role at William Colenso College in Napier for nearly 17 years. Became involved with Keirunga in March 2020 right at the start of the pandemic. Married to Penny, three daughters all married with children, two of whom live in Taupo and the youngest lives in a small town south of Oslo in Norway. Hobbies include playing golf and snooker. Watching golf and rugby and lots of reading. And of course – Keirunga.

Richard Moorhead

Born in Waipawa 1940. Richard farmed at Tikokino. He became a garden designer and moved to Havelock North. Throughout this time he has been painting for over seventy years.
Richard has served on local, regional and national arts organisations. He has exhibited widely in water colour and acrylic.

Brenda Haldane

Brenda has lived and farmed in Waipukurau, Central Hawke’s Bay all her life until very recently moving to Havelock North.
She was involved in the CHB arts for a very large part of that time and is still a working artist when time allows
She served on the local CHB Community Arts Council and was instrumental in helping set up Waipukurau Combined Arts and the start of WETA (We Encourage The Arts)
Following on from that initiative, the development of the very successful national award – the Norsewear Art Award was formed, and she acted as coordinator for the 21 years that it ran. 15 years of that time was based in Waipukurau and the last 6 years in Hastings at the Hastings City Art Gallery.
Since moving to Havelock North she is now involved with the Keirunga Creative Arts Venue, Havelock North, as a Board member and member of the Keirunga Artists Committee

Amanda Sowersby

Amanda, a local artist, artistic therapist, and yoga teacher, recently joined the board, representing the next generation dedicated to preserving and expanding the Keirunga Arts Society. Her connection to Keirunga goes back to her childhood in Havelock North, where she played among the Keirunga oak trees. During her teenage years, Amanda earned recognition in the community for her achievements in competitive swimming and surf lifesaving, securing titles such as the Hawke’s Bay Poverty Bay Champion multiple times and achieving national medal placements.

After completing high school, Amanda pursued a Bachelor of Fine Arts at Massey University in Wellington, graduating in 2005 with a major in painting. Following her academic journey, she ventured into entrepreneurship, establishing her catering and event company. Specialising in small and large-scale events within the corporate, wedding, and cultural sectors, Amanda showcased her organisational skills, managing gatherings of up to 2,000 people.

Notably, Amanda served as the Marketing Manager for the successful FIFA Under 17 Women’s World Cup in 2008 in Wellington. Her diverse skill set includes proficiency in business, sales, marketing, event coordination, digital art, and social media.

Currently, Amanda is the proud owner of Art & Alchemy Ltd, an art and wellness school offering services such as art classes for children, teens, and adults, one-on-one art therapy, and paint parties for both adults and children. These activities take place at the Keirunga Arts Venue, solidifying Amanda’s commitment to the local arts community.