The Driving Force Behind Your BNH
Meet the team and executive board
Kevin O'Leary
General Manager
“I want Business North Harbour to operate so that integrity, trust, and respect are the norm, as we continue to support our local business and commercial property owners to maximise their financial return and realise their business potential.”
- What’s your perfect morning tea order?
Coffee and a sweet treat - Who would you like to play you in a movie biopic?
Tom Selleck (with a Liverpudlian accent) - If you could have a super-power, what would it be?
The ability to teleport - What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Don’t sweat the small stuff - For you, what’s the definition of a “great day at the office”?
Engaging with the team and achieving my tasks for that day - What is your favourite thing about the North Harbour BID?
The diversity of businesses and the members who engage with and support BNH
Bernadette Roberts
Marketing and Events Manager
- What’s your perfect morning tea order?
A strong flat white (in a proper cup!) and a sausage roll - Who would you like to play you in a movie biopic?
Helena Bonham Carter - If you could have a super-power, what would it be?
The power to pause time – imagine how much I could get done with just an extra hour (or three!) - What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Just start where you are - For you, what’s the definition of a “great day at the office”?
When there’s laughter in the air, ideas flowing, deadlines, met and at least one conversation that reminds me why I do what I do - What is your favourite thing about the North Harbour BID?
The sense of community – there’s a real spirit of people backing each other, whether it’s small business, big enterprise, or passionate locals making things happen.
Sandra Craze
BNH Ambassador and Transport/Stakeholder Liaison
- What’s your perfect morning tea order?
Delicious egg sandwiches - Who would you like to play you in a movie biopic?
Tina Turner - If you could have a super-power, what would it be?
The ability to turn back the clock! - What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Health is wealth - For you, what’s the definition of a “great day at the office”?
Great conversation and a feeling of accomplishment - What is your favourite thing about the North Harbour BID?
The sense of community
Kate Greene
Office Manager
- What’s your perfect morning tea order?
Apple crumble and ice cream - Who would you like to play you in a movie biopic?
Sandra Bullock - If you could have a super-power, what would it be?
To fix people’s ailments with one touch - What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Work hard and arrive early - For you, what’s the definition of a “great day at the office”?
Being busy and productive - What is your favourite thing about the North Harbour BID?
Great sushi!
Dave Loader
Crime Prevention Specialist and Social Responsibility Manager
“What a pleasure to be able to use my extensive crime prevention experience to help BNH members protect their premises, property and maybe most importantly their people. Overseeing BNH’s sustainability initiatives is a great complement to this, as they further contribute to our members’ ongoing viability and best practice.“
- What’s your perfect morning tea order?
Mango smoothie and a sausage roll - Who would you like to play you in a movie biopic?
Burt Reynolds - If you could have a super-power, what would it be?
To be able to soar over Auckland’s gridlocked traffic on a kind of flying jet-ski - What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
You never stop learning - For you, what’s the definition of a “great day at the office”?
Definitely includes a site visit of some kind, either helping members to better protect their premises or minimise their risk of number plate theft. An email or phone call saying that our CCTV has helped apprehend an offender is always satisfying too. - What is your favourite thing about the North Harbour BID?
The familiarity
Ben Yang
BNH Ambassador and Digital Marketer
- What’s your perfect morning tea order?
Flat white and a warm scone with butter - Who would you like to play you in a movie biopic?
Chris Hemsworth - If you could have a super-power, what would it be?
Teleporting (imagine skipping Auckland traffic every day) - What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
“Focus on what you can control”. It’s helped me stay grounded, especially in high-pressure situations. - For you, what’s the definition of a “great day at the office”?
The team’s vibing, and something we’ve worked on gets a real result – like great feedback from a member or a well-run event - What is your favourite thing about the North Harbour BID?
Definitely the people!
Executive Committee
Locally elected business owners and professionals help to shape the strategy and governance that drives BNH forward with vision and purpose.
Janet Marshall
Director, Colliers
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CHAIR
Recipient of the 2019 Women in Property Award from the Property Council and with more than 15 years’ experience as a commercial property sales and leasing broker. A sought-after business mentor, and board member of the Takapuna Beach Business Association. Also, a property owner in the North Harbour BID who draws on her extensive network and expertise to actively support fellow property owners and businesses.
Hamish Coupe
Senior Associate, McVeagh Fleming Lawyers (Albany)
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE DEPUTY CHAIR
A respected property law specialist whose experience spans residential conveyancing, commercial transactions, trust matters and both business and private client work. Takes pride in building strong client relationships, listening to their stories and working in tandem to achieve goals. Values community involvement and appreciates BNH’s and McVeagh Fleming’s shared dedication to approachability, practicality and expertise.
Aaron Beard (Ngāti Kuri)
Founding Director, Swift Construction Hire and IronHawk Equipment
Strong business values with a focus on relationship-building within local communities. Equipment hire experience, absolutely – but that’s just one aspect of a varied and colourful resume that includes mechanic, flight attendant and stand-up comedian! Passionate about helping organisations grow and thrive sustainably, preserving the environment with practical changes for the benefit of all.
Sarah Bruce
Edible Blooms
One of the most dynamic and well-known members of the North Harbour business community. From a florist at age 17 to more than a quarter of a century in the premium gifting industry. A career built on blending outstanding customer experience with efficient production and logistics. Sarah launched Edible Blooms New Zealand in 2008, having assisted with its successful launch and roll-out in Australia. Committed to quality, profitability and operational excellence and with a leadership philosophy centred on practical empathy and mutual respect for customers, vendors and employees.
Jenny Chen
Director, Jia Interiors
Former real estate and property development professional, who embraced a passion for design. Jenny achieved a bachelor’s degree in Interior Architecture and founded Jia Interiors over a decade ago. She has established a renowned practice as a qualified interior architect and had award-winning work featured in several design publications. A member of the Designers Institute of New Zealand (DINZ) and the New Zealand Kitchen and Bathroom Association (NKBA).
Lisa Hill
Managing Director, Eclipse Recruitment
Lisa has been at the helm of one of North Harbour’s best known recruitment agencies for over two decades. Guided by honesty and integrity, Lisa enjoys numerous long-standing relationships across wide-ranging industries and organisations.
Chris Todd
Managing Director, Parkland Products
Founder of one of the first companies located in the newly established North Harbour Industrial Estate, in 1988. Chris successfully expanded Parkland across Aotearoa and into Australia. With a strong financial background and an MBA from University of Otago, Chris has served on commercial and non-profit boards at home and abroad, including Hato Hone St John Northern Region Trust Board. A firm believer that SMEs are the backbone of NZ’s economy Chris is keen to contribute to BNH’s excellent support particularly to smaller businesses.
