Meet the Peke Waihanga Board members. Coming from a wide range of backgrounds, the Board includes medical professionals, business practitioners, community workers and, of course, amputees.
George Reedy
Chair
George, from Ngati Porou, has a background in business, Non-Governmental Organisations and the public sector. A Chartered Accountant (with an MBA) by profession, his main roles concentrated on strategy and business development, especially in online digital environments.
George has recently been focusing on owning and operating businesses in the Telco and IT sectors from start-ups to large enterprises. He is also a coach and mentor for SMEs and NGOs. He has a keen interest in supporting Māori economic development initiatives. George was appointed Chair of the Peke Waihanga Board in early February 2013.
Kevin Ross
Board Member
Kevin has an extensive background in Local Government spanning over 30 years with the Whanganui District Council. Initially employed as a Regional Planner he progressed through the organisation, ultimately serving as the Chief Executive for 7 years, before retiring at the end of 2015. In his various roles within the Council, he has had considerable experience dealing with most sectors of the community and in later years has focussed on developing genuine and committed partnerships with local Iwi. Kevin currently chairs the Tararua District Council Audit and Risk Committee.
He is also a member of the Whanganui Bushy Park Sanctuary Board and was a member of the 2017 World Masters Games Company that recently brought 25,000 athletes to Auckland, participating in some 24 sports.
While he represented New Zealand in Badminton a number of years ago, Kevin’s son Christopher represented New Zealand in Cycling at the London Paralympics.
John McKie
Board Member
John completed his undergraduate medical training at the University of Auckland and subsequently completed orthopaedic training as part of the New Zealand Orthopaedic Training Programme in orthopaedic surgery completing the formal Fellowship in 1992. After time spent in overseas Fellowships in the United States and Great Britain, returned to join the consultant staff at Christchurch Hospital in 1994. He remains active in both private and public practice both in Christchurch and on the West Coast.
John has interests in lower limb orthopaedics including joint replacements and revision surgery of the hip, knee and ankle, deformity correction, post-traumatic reconstruction and leg lengthening, and paediatric orthopaedics.
Dr Cynthia Bennett
Board Member
Cynthia is a Medical Doctor having gained specialist training from Mayo Clinic in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in the US. She practices Rehabilitation Medicine as a Fellow of the Australasian Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine (AFRM)/RACP here in New Zealand.
Cynthia is the Clinical Head of Rehabilitation and the Clinical Head of the Auckland Spinal Rehabilitation Unit (ASRU) which is part of Counties Manukau Health.
In addition, Cynthia holds the position of the NZ Branch Chair of the Australasian Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine (AFRM) and is a member of the AFRM PAC.
Kate Horan
Board Member
Kate has a real-world perspective on the services needed by New Zealanders living with limb loss. At the age of 5, Kate had her leg amputated due to fibulae hemimelia and has not let the loss of her leg define or limit her. She has gone on to be a dual Paralympian in athletics and cycling, winning Silver in the 200m at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games and has her sights on para cycling at the 2020 Paralympic Games which would be her fourth Paralympic Games. Kate is also a proud mum to 3 boys and a grandma to a beautiful granddaughter.
Kate has a wonderful appreciation for the importance of activity for people living with a disability. In her role with ParaFed Wellington, she developed and implemented activity initiatives that have empowered many people leading to improved self-esteem and general wellbeing. Notably, at ParaFed Wellington, Kate and the team have developed an amazing youth activity program that supports 100 families which will have life-long social and health benefits for those involved.
Kate brings valuable experiences on what is required to deliver a patient-centred service and the role that technology can play in removing the barriers to participation. She looks forward to supporting her fellow amputees to achieve their full potential.
Stuart Burns
Board Member
Stuart is an experienced Chartered Accountant with extensive governance experience. Throughout his professional accountancy career, he has held Partner and Chief Executive roles throughout the Lakes district.
He has also held numerous Board and Trustee positions with many trusts and private companies while also Chief Executive of the Rotorua Trust. These companies and trusts range from Medical and Health Board positions, philanthropy, fisheries, and foodstuffs.
Stuart brings a strong and diverse expertise in audit and risk management and a new financial lens to the Peke Waihanga Board, guiding our financial practices along with our CEO and CFO.