2025 Board Election Results
The Board election was completed at the weekend, and we are very pleased to welcome Penny Brothers and Erin Stewart as new members of the Board and celebrate the re-election of Don Bogie and Lisa Donning. These four will join Stephen Hunt, Jim Petersen, Chris Taylor and Andy Carruthers on the Board from October 1st.
We also thank the unsuccessful candidates for stepping up to the election plate. Having a contested election is really important to give Club members a choice in the direction of the Club. The quality of our candidates is always exceptional, and this year was no different. We appreciate the time and effort that you have put into your applications and hope that you will stay in touch and contribute to the Club in other roles.
We also wish to extend our thanks to Ross Cullen and Myles Perry for their service on the Board, Ross since its inception (7 years) and Myles for two terms (4 years). Their contributions have been significant and the time and effort they dedicated to these positions a testament to their own personal values of giving back to the climbing community. Thank you both.
To read the complete Board applications of our successful members please see here, or an excerpt is included below.
Don Bogie
I would like to use my experience and skills for the benefit of the NZAC and mountaineering in general. Over the years I have gained a lot of personal satisfaction through the time I have spent in the mountains. Now that I have retired from the Department of Conservation being a board member of NZAC is a way of putting some more back into the mountaineering community.
I bring specific risk management skills through the work I have done as DOC’s Principal Advisor Visitor Risk, in particular work on avalanche, landslides and volcanic hazard. I have a good understanding of Health and Safety matters and land access issues.
Since being on the NZAC board I have as well as the standard board activities been a member of the Empress Hut replacement working group, checked the Murchison Hut site for safety issues and assisted with producing material for trip leader training.
I would like to focus on issues associated with risk.
Penny Brothers
Mountains and the outdoors have been my anchors throughout a busy and rewarding life in academia (teaching and research in chemistry) and raising a family. I have been an NZAC member for many years, including governance roles from 2015-2020. As Club President I launched the governance review that resulted in the current Board structure. After spending the last five years of my career based in Australia, I am now back in NZ and keen to re-engage with NZAC, to once again be part of the great mahi done by NZAC and to contribute to outdoor recreation and stewardship.
Lisa Donning
I am deeply passionate about rock climbing and have experienced personal growth and formed strong connections within the climbing community. As a member of NZAC, I would like to contribute to the strategic direction of the organization and give back to our community.
My focus will be on minimising our impact on the environment while simultaneously improving the areas we have the privilege to access. Protecting and developing the unique flora and fauna of Aotearoa, New Zealand is a responsibility we all share, and as part of NZAC, we can advocate for conservation and promote environmental stewardship.
I am committed to making climbing and mountaineering more accessible and inclusive for people from all backgrounds. I recognise that the physical nature and cost of these activities can be limiting, but through mentorship programs, community outreach, and accessibility initiatives, we can expand our reach and engage a broader audience.
My experience in program governance within a professional services organisation has equipped me with the skills and determination to make a difference on the board. I am dedicated to representing the experiences and perspectives of Te Waipounamu members and fostering a vibrant and inclusive mountaineering and climbing community.
Although I may not have prior board experience, I bring a strong work ethic, tenacity, and energy to the table. My commitment to the NZAC and my willingness to learn and contribute make up for any lack of board experience.
In summary, I am driven to make a positive impact within NZAC by promoting environmental sustainability, inclusivity, and community building. With my professional skills, dedication, and passion for the sport, I am confident in my ability to contribute effectively to the board and help shape the future of NZAC.
Erin Stewart
Rock climbing has enriched and benefitted my life far beyond what I could articulate here in one paragraph. I’m passionate about climbing in general and all that it can offer. Volunteering my time to the NZAC Board is one small way in which I can give back to the community that has given me so much. Since 2023 I have been a Trustee on the Board of the Aotearoa Climbing Access Trust and have enjoyed that experience of collaborative governance and contributing back to the community. I intend to remain as an ACAT Trustee, and if elected to the NZAC Board as well I would bring the same enthusiasm, energy, and dedication. Having one person across both Boards would assist in further strengthening ties between the two organisations, enabling and streamlining goal alignment for the benefit of the wider climbing community. I think outdoor recreational access is primed to become (if not already is) one of New Zealand climbing's most pressing issues. While ACAT’s focus is primarily policy and advocacy, I see that the other side of the ‘sustainable-access-solutions coin’ is people power, which is one of the NZAC’s strengths with its membership and volunteer network. I would like to focus my attention on how we as a community and Club can best harness the collective power of the people to implement and drive behaviours and actions that work towards securing access and fostering positive relationships with stakeholders. I’m a firm believer that local climbing communities taking responsibility for the care and maintenance of their areas, and actively engaging as guardians rather than only consumers is a key factor in ensuring these areas can remain open and available for climbing pursuits. I’d also like to contribute to broadening the appeal of the Club to a more diverse base, encouraging more inclusivity and a greater diversity of membership and activity-focus, thereby hopefully growing the membership and achieving the Club’s purpose of enabling a vibrant, sustainable climbing community.