STAFF MEMBERS

GRANT ELLEN - Centre MANAGER

Grant has lived in Miramar since 2009 and worked for the community centre since 2015. He has a background in Education, youth work and engineering.

Live music is a passion and he has been involved in the Wellington music scene for many years.

Email: grant@mmcc.org.nz
Call: 04 388 1944

Irihāpeti Te Aho - Community Activator

Irihāpeti (Iri) is passionate about growing connection and community through her mahi at Miramar Maupuia Community Centre. With a background in creative practice and a love for people, she brings warmth, energy, and heart to the spaces she helps create.

If you have an idea to share, pop in for a cuppa and a kōrero.

Email: iri@mmcc.org.nz
Call: 04 388 1944

BOARD MEMBERS

laura lambie - Board Chair

Laura has been on the Board of the Mirimar and Maupuia Centre since April 2022. Her work background is in health as a practitioner, government policy advisor, manager and project manager. She also has a background in the community including being an elected Seatoun school board member and engaging in community activities.

Laura has lived in the Eastern suburbs for around 40 years and loves being part of and contributing to this community.

tina Groark - board trustee

Tina is an IT consultant by profession, but also wears many hats - as a mum, an aspiring artist, and an active member of both the local and professional communities.

Tina serve’s on the governance boards of several professional organizations and has been a board member of the Miramar and Maupuia Community Centre since March 2024.

Having called Miramar home for over 20 years, Tina loves this vibrant community and am keen to contribute towards its growth and well-being.

sue burgess - board trustee

Sue came to live in New Zealand in 2016 but had visited many times before as her daughter has lived in Wellington for 25 years and her sister in Australia for the same amount of time. As well as being a Board member of the Miramar & Maupuia Community Centre Sue is the Staff Representative on the EBIS Board of Trustees where she works part-time as a Teacher Aide.

Before coming to live in New Zealand she was the Chair of a local Community Trust and Facilitator of a Charity. Sue is a qualified Social Worker, Post 16 Vocational Teacher and Early Years Practitioner. Sue loves living in this vibrant and diverse community.

Elinor Thomas

Jane Hopkirk - board trustee

Jane has lived in Miramar for more than 35 years and loves being part of this community.

When her children were young, she served as a Board Trustee at Miramar Central School, and she’s always enjoyed being involved in local life.

Her career in the public sector has taken her through a wide range of People & Culture roles as an advisor, manager and coach. With a background in positive psychology, Jane is passionate about helping people grow, thrive and bring out the best in themselves at every stage of life.

Elinor Thomas - board trustee

Elinor is an environmental professional with a strong track record in project delivery, change management, and stakeholder engagement. She brings deep experience across investment management, business analysis, and organisational change.

She sees serving on the board of the Miramar and Maupuia Community Centre Trust as a great way to support her local community through governance and hands‑on involvement.

Having grown up in Miramar she has chosen to bring up her family here, too. She loves being out in the natural environment—especially on the ocean in her kayak—and is committed to contributing to the wellbeing and vibrancy of the Miramar community she calls home.