The Hereworth School Trust Board provides sound governance and financial stewardship for the school now and into the future. With up to nine members in total, each member serves the School with three-year term and is structured as below:

• Three representatives from the Anglican Waiapu Diocese, confirmed by the Diocese Board
  
  
• Three representing Hereworth Old Boys, voted on by the Old Boys’ Association
  ​​​​​​​
• Three representing the parent community at Hereworth, voted on by current school parents
  

All appointments to the Hereworth School Trust Board (school board) are made by or have the prior approval of, the Waiapu Diocesan Trust Board (Waiapu).

The Trustees bring a range of skills and experience to the Board, and these skills and expertise are utilised as appropriate in providing governance for the school. If required the Board will seek external or independent advice and may also co-opt members of the school community or others to assist in matters that may arise from time to time.

Board Members

Claire Hague

Chair | Diocesan Representative 

Claire Hague ONMZ has had a career in education, governance and leadership roles across a range of organisations. She was Principal of Napier Girls’ High School, Deputy Chief Executive at the Eastern Institute of Technology and Acting Director of Education for Hawke’s Bay and the East Coast. She was recognised in the 2007 New Year’s Honours List for her services to education.

Claire’s governance roles have included ministerial appointments to The Correspondence School of New Zealand and EIT, along with directorship of a Hawke’s Bay Economic Development agency, and a term as a Napier City Councillor.

Since 2015 Claire has worked in her own business providing advice, guidance and leadership mentoring and training to a diverse range of individuals and organisations across Hawke’s Bay.

Claire’s connection to Hereworth School spans a number of years and includes a year on the Board and working on behalf of the Board with various Headmasters. On a personal note, Claire’s grandmother was employed as a “housemaid” at Hereworth in the 1930s.

Claire feels very honoured to Chair the Board at Hereworth School as it embarks on its next stages of education and development.

Michael Bate

Alumni & Supporters' Representative

Michael is a Hereworth Old Boy and lawyer with significant governance and commercial experience.  He brings a practical, commercial and legal perspective to the Board.  

He lives in Hawke’s Bay and has three school-age daughters.

Sam Howard

Deputy Chair | Alumni & Supporters' Representative

Sam Howard is a Hereworth Old Boy and currently serves as Deputy Chair and Alumni & Supporters' Representative on the Hereworth School Trust Board. He brings a wealth of experience in business, investment, and governance, helping to guide the School’s strategic direction and ensure strong financial stewardship. 

Professionally, Sam is a Director and Wealth Management Adviser at Jarden, where he has worked since 1998. 

Sam is also committed to the Hawke’s Bay community. He is a past Trustee and Chair of the Investment Committee for the Hawke’s Bay Foundation, where he played a key role in establishing the Foundation’s endowment fund and strengthening its long-term impact.  In addition, Sam has served as Chair of the CatWalk Spinal Cord Injury Trust and is a member of the Clifton County Cricket Club. 

Based in Havelock North with his wife Kate and their three children, Sam is proud to have his daughter attending Hereworth. His personal connection to the School, combined with his broad governance and investment experience, will help to ensure Hereworth continues to thrive for future generations.

Reverand John Matthews

Diocesan Representative

John was born on Anglesey North West Wales and attended Aberystwyth University to read theology. Whilst at university, John took his call to ministry to a formal level and was selected for ordination training in the Diocese of St Davids.  That training was carried out in the provincial college in Cardiff and John was ordained in St David’s Cathedral, Pembrokeshire in 2002. 

John’s curacy and first parish were in that rural Diocese, and John moved to the Diocese of Bangor in 2009.  John has a special interest in church schools and was a church school inspector of special character for 5 years.  In 2019 John and his wife Sue moved to New Zealand when John was appointed the Vicar of the Parish of Havelock North.

Hugh Ritchie

Alumni & Supporters' Representative

Hugh is a Hereworth Old Boy, a parent of an Old Boy, and the past President of the Hereworth Parents Association.  Hugh is the Managing Director of Drumpeel Farms, a 2,050 hectare mixed cropping, beef and lamb finishing property based at Otane.

Hugh is also a Director of HortNZ, Process VegNZ , Chair of the Foundation of Arable Research and founding member of Landwise.

Over the years Hugh has worked alongside the Hereworth Old Boys' Association on their various projects and the 4WD Tutira Trek Weekend.

George Eivers

Parent Representative

Based in Havelock North, George is a Chartered Professional Engineer and the Managing Director of his own company. He is also a Hereworth Old Boy, with his son currently in attendance at the School.

George volunteers his time to serve on a number of charitable trusts, and as a professional engineer, he brings a level of expertise to any project planning, funding and construction we may have.

He has a proud history with the School, as his grandfather, uncles and brothers are all Old Boys. George is excited by the opportunity to contribute as the third generation of his family in service to Hereworth.

Hannah McKinlay

Diocesan Representative

Joanna Smith

Parent Representative

Joanna currently works as the Global Head of Marketing for a professional services membership organisation with all proceeds going back into schooling and charity work.

Joanna and her husband, Mr Alex Smith, are great supporters of the School and have two children currently attending. Mrs Smith is passionate about the need for excellence in education and ensuring that Hereworth students are provided the opportunity to become their very best. She feels that being on the Hereworth School Board of Trustees is a way to give back to those who care, just as much as we do, about our children.

Strategic Plan