Board

Waimairi School is governed by a school board, committed to clear accountability and strong oversight on behalf of every student.

Role of the Board

Five parent-elected board members, the Principal, and one staff-elected board member
Responsible for governance — policy, audits, and the Strategic Plan
The Board sets direction. The Principal and senior leadership team run the school.

Parents are welcome to attend Board meetings as observers. Meetings are twice per term at school.

Meet the board

Presiding Member

Kylie van der Bel

Curriculum / Connect Waimairi sub-committee / Suspension sub-committee
Kylie holds a Bachelor of Education and runs a teacher relief agency. Her family has been part of the Waimairi community since 2020, with two sons currently at the school. She brings professional expertise and deep community investment to the Board.

botchair@waimairi.school.nz

Subcommittees:

Assurances
Connect Waimairi
Curriculum
Finance
Health and Well Being
International Students
Personnel
Property
Suspensions / behaviour

Deputy Presiding Member

Bernard del Rey

HR / Personnel / Finance
Bernard is Founder and CEO of a financial technology SaaS firm based in Christchurch, with a background across investing and financial services in New York, Chicago, and London. Two of his sons are Waimairi graduates. He brings commercial rigour and genuine commitment to education to his governance role.

Subcommittees:

Finance
International Students
Personnel

Elected Parent Representative

Ed Hadfield

Ed is a Regional Manager for a multinational facilities management company. He brings expertise in property, health and safety, and operational management to the Board’s oversight responsibilities.

Subcommittees:

Health and Well Being
Personnel
Property
Suspensions / behaviour

Elected Parent Representative

Emily Nind

Emily is a property and commercial lawyer at RVG Law. She brings legal expertise and a focus on governance in a changing education environment to the Board.

Subcommittees:

Assurances
Property
Suspensions / behaviour

Elected Parent Representative

Tim Hurst

Tim is General Manager High Performance at Canterbury Rugby, where he leads programme delivery, staff coordination, and operational systems across a large and complex organisation. He brings strong governance awareness, a focus on culture and continuous improvement, and clear, considered decision-making to his role on the Board.

Subcommittees: