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Our Trustees

Luvaine McDonald

Chair

A former aquatics representative herself, Luvaine has had a long involvement in aquatics administration and management. She’s taken a leading role in organising numerous aquatic events including FINA Grand Prix events, the FINA World Diving Cup, and the Asia Pacific Junior Diving Invitational 2009 and 2011.

A seasoned team manager, highlights for Luvaine include Aquatic Manager Olympic Games – Sydney 2000, Commonwealth Games 2002 and Diving and Synchronised Swimming teams at the 1998 Commonwealth Games. Luvaine was awarded the Swimming Federation Administrator of the Year in 1997, won the Wellington Sports Awards Administrator of the year in 1999 and 2008 and was made a Life Member of Diving New Zealand.

 

In 2005 she decided to retire and improve her golf handicap but a chance encounter with Lloyd Morrison at the 2006 Commonwealth Games hatched the idea of WHiPA and since its inception she has been a WHiPA Trustee.

John McBeth

Trustee

John McBeth has been a sports commentator for over 40 years. He was New Zealand’s leading rugby radio commentator before shifting to a similar position with TVNZ. He’s commentated on a variety of sports at seven Commonwealth Games and two Winter Olympic Games, while Rio 2016 will be his eighth Olympics.

 

He was to the forefront of the TV coverage during four of Team New Zealand’s America’s Cup campaigns. He is recognised as the voice of swimming in New Zealand and has covered dozens of National Championships - the first in 1975.

John has been a fantastic supporter of WHiPA for many years and was officially welcomed to the team in 2016.

Jo Maxwell

Trustee


Jo works for Wellington Airport in the role of Manager Brand and Innovation, a varied portfolio that includes marketing and design, community relations, sponsorships and event management.

Jo has been passionately involved with WHiPA since its inception, and is delighted to hold the role of Trustee to assist WHiPA in the next phase of its exciting journey. After hours Jo sings barbershop, representing New Zealand in the International competitions several times.

Mark O'Connor

Trustee

Mark has a long history with a number of sports at a club, regional and national level. He was previously been General Manager - Central for New Zealand Rugby League as well General Manager - Business and CEO for Swimming New Zealand.

 

Through his involvement with aquatics, Mark joined as a WHiPA Trustee in 2014. He is also currently Chair, WELTEC Sport & Exercise Advisory Group and a Board Member of Bowls Wellington.

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Our Patron

Kerry Prendergast CNZM

Patron

Former Mayor of Wellington and former Vice-President of Local Government New Zealand, Kerry is currently Chair of the Environmental Protection Authority, Tourism New Zealand, the New Zealand International Arts Festival Trust, and the Wellington Jazz Music Festival Trust. 

She is a Director WorkSafe NZ, a Trustee of the New Zealand Community Trust, the Endangered Species Foundation and the Wellington Free Ambulance Board. Kerry is a Board member of the Motu Foundation, Phoenix Football Club and on the Advisory Boards of the Office of the Auditor General.

Lloyd Morrison (1957 - 2012)

WHiPA Founder, Mentor and Friend

Lloyd was a truly passionate Wellingtonian and New Zealander making an immeasurable contribution to both the business and arts communities in New Zealand as a friend, colleague, patron and mentor.

Wellington High Performance Aquatics exists because Lloyd Morrison saw the need to give local aspiring athletes the opportunity to excel at an elite level, and had both the drive and passion to make the dream a reality.

"The organisation is unashamedly focussed on elite performance, believing that success will inspire greater participations and performance by a wider following of athletes. We recognise the need to keep high performers in New Zealand and have committed to support the establishment and development of WHiPA"
Lloyd Morrison on WHiPA

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Our Founder

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