Trustees
Forum North Trust Current Members
The Forum North Trust is a group of passionate civic-minded people committed to provide Whangārei a Community Performing Arts and Events Centre at Forum North including a new large lyric theatre, inclusive programming, educational opportunities and productions and events of the highest standard.
Chairperson
(Northland Director)
Lachie McLean
A Northland director for over 40 years, his successes include The Sound of Music which was part of the celebrations to open the Capitaine Bougainville Theatre in 1982.
Lachie has directed more productions at the Capitaine Bougainville than anyone else in NZ. He is the only Northlander ever to win a NAPTA award for Best Director of a Musical. He has achieved this twice – for Les Miserables in 2001, and Miss Saigon in 2011, which also won Best Musical.
Les Miserables and Mamma Mia have been the most attended shows in the history of the Bougainville Theatre.
Lachie McLean
Chairperson
(Northland Director)
Vice Chairperson
Terry O’Connor
Our Vice Chairperson, Terry O’Connor, the country’s foremost Commercial Producer of Musical Theatre, who for the last decade has nationwide successfully staged hits such as The Jersey Boys, Mary Poppins and Les Miserable using the cream of New Zealand and imported talent.
Terry O’Connor
–Vice Chairperson
(Producer)
BUSINESS MANAGER AND PAST WDC COUNCILOR
Cherry Hermon
A lifelong love of musicals has seen Cherry’s musical theatre journey range from the Hollywood heyday movies of the 50’s through every decade up to modern-day shows like Rent and the exceptionally brilliant musical Hamilton.
Having family involvement with Whangarei Youth Music for over a decade, Cherry appreciates how communities can nurture and inspire young musicians and the importance of appropriate and accessible venues if youth are to be encouraged into the performing arts within New Zealand. She also appreciates that a modern lyric theatre, capable of fast and affordable turnaround for visiting shows, is long overdue in Whangarei since the demolition of the old Town Hall in the early 1980’s.
Cherry is a current business manager, having worked many years as a Radiographer, and has served 4 terms on the Whangarei District Council with an emphasis on Community Development.
Cherry Hermon
(Business manager and past WDC Councilor)
Treasurer
Jeremy Kloet
Our Treasurer, Jeremy Kloet , is Chartered Accountant who enjoys taking a supportive role for the arts community. A resident of Whangarei District, he is passionate about all postive growth in Whangarei facilities, The Forum North theatre will bring well being and enjoyment for the community as a whole.
Jeremy Kloet
Treasurer
Alan Palmer
Secretary
Engineer: Richardson Stevens Engineering Ltd
Grant Stevens
Grant moved to Whangarei in 1974 to work as a civil structural engineer and over a working career of more than 40 years helped develop a consulting engineering practice of over 20 professional and technical staff.
Following retirement from Richardson Stevens consultants Ltd in 2017, he has continued a strong interest, in Whangarei's built environment and with current building regulations and methods.Since retirement he has started a boutique engineering consultancy, Hapai Structural Geotechnical to maintain his interest in specific engineering areas and further develop technical competency.
Grant’s involvement with many major projects around Whangarei including the refinery expansion, Hundertwasser project, commercial building development, seismic investigation and upgrading of many of Whangarei’s old buildings, means that he is well qualified to
assist the Trust in the procurement of a new theatre and performing arts precinct at Forum North.
Grant Stevens
(Engineer: Richardson Stevens Engineering Ltd)
Professional Entertainer
Luke Bird
Luke Bird is based in Whangarei, pursuing a professional career in the performing arts and represents not only youth of the area but importantly also has a deep connection with his local iwi.
Luke Bird
(Professional Entertainer)
Associate Trustees
Secretary
Sandra McKersey
Sandra McKersey is well-known in the business community in Whangarei and was recently inducted into the Northland Business Hall of Fame. She is an avid supporter of projects designed to bring employment and vitality to the city. As a Rotarian she has had the opportunity to make a difference both nationally and internationally. She is a keen supporter of the performing arts
Sandra McKersey
(Founder – People Potential Ltd)
Wellbeing Specialist, Advisor, Artist, Facilitator, Business Owner
Ian Pritchard
Ian’s mindful and values-based approach empowers individuals and communities to reconnect with healthier lifestyles, improved resilience and in addressing barriers that may limit personal and professional progress.
With a background and qualifications in hospitality, media, education, visual and performing arts, Ian's various creative sector roles include being a founding member of Opera North, a former Head of Arts Faculty, Northtec Visual Arts Advisory Panel and a Board Member of Creative Northland.
Since returning to Whangarei in 1996, Ian has appeared in many local operatic and musical theatre productions and is hugely supportive of The Forum North Trusts vision to realise this exciting and well-overdue project.
Ian has previously worked for the Ministry of Education as a Senior Advisor and holding positions of Traumatic Incident Team Manager/Practice Lead and as Agent to CYMRC (Child/Youth Mortality Review Committee).
As Lead Wellbeing Specialist at New Focus NZ and director of Ata Retreat Ruakaka and recently awarded PreKure's Australasian Mental Health Coach of the Year in 2023, Ian's many personal and professional experiences reinforce his firm belief that this new theater project provides the nucleus and the catalyst for Whangarei's future populations to thrive and flourish - a place for our community to connect, learn, laugh and to treasure.
Ian Pritchard
Wellbeing Specialist, Advisor, Artist, Facilitator, Business Owner
“The Forum North Trust are a diverse, committed and very experienced team who have the skills and knowledge to bring the theatre to life”
Sheryl Mai-Whangarei District Council Mayor 2013-2022
Friends of Forum North Trust
Creative Northland supports the development of a performing art centre in Whangarei and is grateful to FNT13 for championing this on behalf of the community.
Creative & Technical Advisors
Email:
Hayden Tee
Hayden is an acclaimed performer, makeup artist and recording artist in Theatre, Concert and Cabaret throughout New Zealand, Australia, Asia, the U.K and U.S.A.
Broadway, New York: Javert in Les Miserables
West End, London: Marius in Les Misérables, Javert in Les Miserables, Miss Trunchbull in Matilda.
Australia: Javert in Les Miserables, Cable in South Pacific, Professor Bhaer in Little Women, Thomas Andrews in Titanic, and Father Grenville in Dead Man Walking.
U.S and International: Miss Trunchbull in Matilda,Jack in Being Earnest, Rutledge in 1776, Prince/Wolf in Into The Woods, Freddy in My Fair Lady, Arthur in Camelot, Hook/Mr. Darling in Peter Pan, Mason in Take Me Out, Bustopher Jones/ Gus/ Growltiger in Cats andStride/Jekyll/Hyde Alternate in Jekyll and Hyde.
Hayden Tee
Email:
Jess Sayer
Jess Sayer is a multi-award-winning screenwriter, playwright and actor, whose work has been produced both locally and internationally.
She has won the Playmarket b425 award three times (Fix, Hanged and Elevator). In 2015 she won the prestigious Bruce Mason Playwriting Award and in 2017 was nominated for three SWANZ. She most recently won the 2019 Adam NZ Play Award and also Best Play by a Woman for her latest play This Particular Room. Her plays Elevator, Wings, Crunchy Silk and Fix all had celebrated sell-out seasons at the Basement Theatre in Auckland.
She has written and storylined for Filthy Productions (Dirty Laundry and Filthy Rich), South Pacific Pictures (Shortland Street, Bad Seed 2, Go Girls, Step Dave), and for Warner Brothers and Cinco Cine. She was the Head Writer of the hit Web Series Auckward Love. Jess has most recently been seen on stage in Mr Redlight at the NZ Festival and on television as Kara Hurring in Runaway Millionaires and Maeve Mullins in Shortland Street.
Jess Sayer
TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
LET'S ENSURE THE VOICES OF THE COMMUNITY ARE HEARD
QUICKLINKS
Copyright © 2023 FORUM NORTH TRUST All rights reserved.
Made with ❤️ by 1768degrees.com Whangarei Web Design and SEO Specialists.