Our Board
The Drowning Prevention Auckland Board
Matthew Sabourin - Chair
BA(Hons) Politics with North American Studies.
Matthew is Head of Regulatory Frameworks and Initiatives at the Financial Markets Authority New Zealand.
With over 20 years’ experience – spanning customs policy, grocery regulation, agricultural policy reform, civil service, and financial markets – across the UK, EU, and New Zealand, Matthew was previously the Deputy Director: Customs and Border Design at HM Revenue and Customs (UK). He led several teams developing customs policy, particularly in relation to Brexit. He helped ensure policy was implemented on time, responding to complexity with his trademark pragmatism and commitment.
Throughout his impressive career, Matthew has progressed policy initiatives and demonstrated high quality management and corporate governance. He is experienced in influencing senior leaders and officials across the public and private sectors.
When navigating complex regulatory landscapes, Matthew gets to the root of the issue quickly. His vast international perspective makes him an asset to any board.
Outside work, Matthew enjoys travelling (he has visited over 60 countries), hiking, swimming, paddleboarding, and the gym.
Jo Fagan
BSc (Hons) Accounting and Modern Languages, Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (AICPA)
Jo is a qualified accountant and is the General Manager Finance and Business Services at Dingwall Trust. She has over 25 years of finance experience working with various not-for-profit and corporates in NZ and corporates in the UK. During this time she has led, managed and mentored teams in finance and payroll and other business areas like HR, governance, legal, property, IT and fundraising.
She has more than ten years board experience in NZ having served as a former board member and treasurer for ME Support (Auckland), former board chair at Northcote Intermediate School and former board member for Birkenhead Primary School.
Describing herself as a life-long learner, Jo enjoys upskilling and the opportunity to mentor and pass on her knowledge. She also has a personal and professional interest in employment law, neurodiversity, equality, human rights and helping people in need.
The ability to cut through detail and provide concise advice is something Joanne prides herself on. Her peers say she is pragmatic, optimistic, authentic and collaborative.
Health and safety and team wellness have been strong priorities for Jo throughout her career. She is also a fluent French speaker.
Dr Kevin Moran - ONZM
Affiliations:
- Drowning Prevention Auckland Inc (DPA)
- Surf Lifesaving New Zealand
- University of Auckland
Kevin is a recently retired Principal Lecturer in Physical Education at the Faculty of Education, University of Auckland. Kevin has had a lifelong commitment to drowning prevention as a lifeguard, researcher, and educator. He has been a frontline surf lifeguard for over 50 years, still currently patrolling one of New Zealand’s rugged west coast beaches at Muriwai, near Auckland where he has been awarded Life Membership. In 2010 he was awarded a Distinguished Service Award by Surf Life Saving New Zealand and Surf Life Saving Northern.
Professional positions include: member of the International Advisory Committee for the WHO 2014 Drowning Report; member of the International Lifesaving Federation (ILS) Research and Information Committee; Co-chair of the International Task Force on Open Water Drowning Prevention; foundation member of the New Zealand Drowning Prevention Council, and Foundation Chairman of Watersafe Auckland Inc (WAI) from 1994-2012.
In 2014 he was awarded the Water Safety New Zealand Award for his “outstanding contribution to water safety” and the 2014 Irish Medal by the Lifesaving Foundation in international recognition of “his exceptional contribution to the saving of lives from drowning.” He was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the New Year’s Honours list 2015 for “services to water safety”.
He is the author of two books on water safety and drowning prevention, has published 50+ papers in international journals, and presented 60+ papers at more than 20 international conferences in the last decade.
Dr Chris Carter
PhD in Marine Science
Chris is the Head of Data and Analytics at the Financial Markets Authority New Zealand. With over 20 years of experience in gathering and applying data and insights to drive real-world decision-making, Chris has built and led high-performing teams, and held senior analytics roles in the UK, the US, and New Zealand.
Following his PhD in Marine Science from the University of Canterbury, Chris was hooked by the power of data-driven analysis. He applied his passion and knowledge to shape meaningful, evidence-based strategy, performance, and growth across media, eCommerce, and the public sector.
Also author of Rugbynomics, which explores the myths and misconceptions in rugby, this data-driven book reflects his passion for applying analytics to sport and communicating insights in an engaging and accessible way.
Chris brings a strong governance mindset. His focus on clarity and evidence-based decision-making cuts through complexity to support effective board discussions. Behind his interest in data and research is a real drive to improve community outcomes and support initiatives that prevent harm and deliver impact.
Outside work, Chris enjoys scuba diving, paddleboarding, travelling, and spending time exploring the coastal environments of Aotearoa.
Frazer Scott
Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors (New Zealand), Master of Business Administration
Frazer is Attura NZ Limited’s Executive Director and Country Manager, where he heads the company’s national strategy, growth, and operational performance across New Zealand.
An experienced senior technology leader, with a strong background in general management, sales and marketing, he spent over six years as CEO of Plan B Limited, one of New Zealand’s leading managed services providers, before it was acquired by Attura in 2024.
At work, Frazer is never happy sitting still, making him an energetic and transformative leader. In his 15-year tenure with Microsoft, he played a pivotal role in shifting them from a software to a cloud services organisation, championing the transformation to their business model, sales, marketing, recruitment and people development.
Frazer also holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Auckland and is a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors.
Outside work, Frazer enjoys time with family, travel, and has recently acquired a passion for golf.
Gurdeep Talwar JP
Postgraduate, Certified Management Consultant
Gurdeep serves on the Funding Panel for the Ministry for Ethnic Communities and is a member of the Ethnic Advisory Panel for New Zealand Police and Auckland Council. He also sits on the National Trust Board of Community Patrols of New Zealand.
Raised in India and having completed his postgraduate studies in England, Gurdeep now proudly calls West Auckland home. He brings extensive experience in governance, community engagement, and public sector advisory roles across Aotearoa and was the first person of colour to serve as the President of the Institute of Management Consultants New Zealand (IMCNZ).
An advocate for strengthening representation across diverse communities, Gurdeep was the brains behind the “$64 billion contribution by ethnic communities to NZ economy” report.
Gurdeep is passionate about building trust between communities and public institutions. He backs culturally accessible communication, multilingual engagement, and practical approaches that ensure communities can meaningfully participate in civic life. He provides balanced, strategic advice that supports equitable access, inclusion, and long-term wellbeing for all who call Aotearoa home.
Outside work, Gurdeep is a passionate globetrotter. When he’s back home you might see him walking his dog, mostly along the beach.
Kate Holtmeier
MBA International Business, BA Communications and Marketing
Kate is an Executive Consultant at KH Consulting. She works with executive teams to develop customer strategy. Her role includes identifying customer pain points and analysing opportunities for improving the customer’s journey with the organisation.
Moving from the US to NZ in 2007, she has spent over 15 years in customer experience and strategy roles with companies like IAG, Air New Zealand and Vodafone New Zealand.
Kate describes herself as having an energised communication style and is passionate about creating and sustaining an engaged and empowered culture.
As a member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors, Kate is experienced in being a committed and responsive board member.
In her leisure time, Kate loves to keep active. She grew up in Minnesota, where she was a successful swimmer – setting her first national age group record at age 10. This swimming ability secured her a full swimming scholarship for her undergraduate degree. Kate and her husband are keen members of North Harbour Triathlon Club.
Ireen Rahiman-Manuel
Ireen Rahiman-Manuel is an International Development Consultant, strategist and trusted advisor. She is the founder and director of Impactdev360, as well as family-led construction business Rapid Builders and Renovators in Auckland. With a strong background in project management and leadership, Ireen oversees a specialist development policy and planning team. She has managed programmes in various areas including health, education, environment, tourism and agriculture, and continues to work alongside leading agencies in Europe, New Zealand, Australia and across the Pacific.
Ireen completed a Masters of International Development, Sustainability Studies and Change Management from Massey University, and holds a Certification in Improvement and Change Management from Te Whatu Ora (Counties Manukau). She has also received several awards, including the Le Tautua Pasifika Leadership Programme Award, and a scholarship from the Women in Advanced Leadership Programme.
Ireen was previously elected to Auckland Council, where she co-chaired the Climate Change Working Group and sat on the Ethnic Peoples Advisory Panel. Ireen has served many other organisations as an advisor and consultant, which included her role as CEO of the Pacific Society for Reproductive Health in 2018.
Warren Megget
A semi-retired Coastguard Education Tutor and boating lifestyle consultant, Warren brings an impressive commitment to water safety education and drowning prevention. His many water-related qualifications include Maritime NZ Safe Boating Adviser, NZ Certificate in Maritime (Commercial Inshore), RYA Powerboat Trainer and NZ Underwater Small Dive Boat Trainer.
Warren’s involvement with Coastguard began as a volunteer radio operator. A boat owner and operator himself, Warren’s spent extensive time on the waters around the Hauraki Gulf, Whitianga, Great Mercury Island and Aotea Great Barrier Island.
A Scout Adult Leader for around 30 years – culminating in Assistant National Water Activities Adviser for Scouts NZ – Warren revised the adult leader water training programme, set up new programmes for youth activities, and served as Scout Liaison to Waikato. He contributed to the success of Pools In Schoolz New Zealand and later ran the Manukau area pools for The John Walker Find your Field of Dreams Foundation.
He has been a member of the Papakura Rotary Club for 40+ years and the current chair of the Club’s Charitable Trust. He is also a Trustee on the board of Kokako Lodge an outdoor adventure camp in the Hūnua Ranges.
When Warren realised South Auckland youth were avoiding school camps because they included water-based activities, he approached DPA for advice – and the current support of Papakura youth with DPA’s Tāmaki Herenga Waka programme was born.
Liz de Kort
Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors
Liz is a Director of Beacon Project Advisory where she specialises working with Body Corporates who are undertaking large capital maintenance and remediation projects. She comes from a background leading major infrastructure and property development projects across education, commercial, and government sectors. She has over 20 years of project management and delivery experience, including with the Ministry of Education, where she managed a $90M portfolio of school redevelopment projects.
With board experience across sport, recreation, education, and construction, including five years as trustee at Eventfinda Stadium Trust Board and three years at the Registered Master Builders Association, Liz describes herself as a governance generalist. Her broad skillset covers strategy, financial oversight, risk management, building relationships, and organisational sustainability.
Liz has spent much of her life in, on, and around the water, and comes from a fishing family. As part of our board, she is motivated by measurable community outcomes to prevent drowning and save lives.
Outside work, Liz is an active lifeguard with Ōrewa Surf Life Saving Club, a swim squad member, and keen SUP surfer.
Josiah Kerkhof
Josiah Kerkhof is currently serving as our Board Intern, bringing a fresh perspective, a keen energy to learn, and a strong interest in governance. With a background in management and leadership, including over two years at Brittain Wynyard & Co Ltd, he has experience in team development, customer engagement, operations and sales, and is passionate about creating positive environments where people can thrive.
A dynamic communicator, Josiah also provides oversight of his church’s kids’ programme. He ensures everything runs smoothly and on time, and supports tamariki to have fun, get the most out of the programme, and grow.
Outside work, Josiah feels a strong affinity to the ocean and enjoys surfing, fishing, and other water-based activities. This has shaped his appreciation for water safety, wellbeing, and the importance of raising awareness of risks, while supporting people to stay active and engaged in the activities they love.
