Staff
Janet Bayly—Director, Curator: Janet has been director curator of Toi MAHARA since 2006. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts (1976) and a Master of Fine Arts (1979) in photography, film and art history from Elam School of Fine Arts, University of Auckland, and has worked for numerous galleries and museums around New Zealand.
Victoria Robson—Curator, Collections Manager: Victoria is an independent curator and researcher with specialist interests in European fine prints and modern British art. Formerly curator of European and International Art at Te Papa, Victoria has a long standing relationship with Toi MAHARA, especially with regard to Frances Hodgkins and the Field Collection.
Kohai Grace—Curator Toi Māori: Kohai Grace’s iwi affiliations include Te Āti Awa ki Whakarongotai, Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngāti Raukawa and Ngāti Porou. She has a Masters of Māori Visual Arts (MMVA) from Massey University. She is an established artist and toi educator with many years experience exhibiting and curating toi (Māori art) exhibitions.
Julie Noanoa—Learning Facilitator | Pouako Toi (Te Aitanga a Hauiti, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Pāhauwera, Celtic): Julie is an experienced educator, writer and project manager who has developed education programmes for Te Papa, Tairāwhiti Museum, Pātaka and City Gallery Wellington. Drawing on her background in primary teaching, marae-based wānanga and digital storytelling, she creates learning experiences that foster cultural connection, creativity and inclusive arts education for schools and communities.
Vicki Jackways—Business Manager: Vicki comes from a long career in the film, TV and post production industry, with a broad range of marketing, production and administration skills and experience. Her role as Business Manager is to support the Gallery team in all aspects of the functionality of the building and operational processes and systems and having grown up on the Kapiti Coast, lived and worked all over New Zealand and overseas, she is loving the short commute to work in such a creative and beautiful environment.
Kirsten Le Harivel—Communications & Public Programmes Manager: Kirsten has worked in the arts, health and social service sectors in New Zealand and India for the last 20 years in a range of management and programme development roles for organisations focused on youth and community. As a creative writer herself, Kirsten also founded Writers Practice, offering creative writing workshops and retreats for children and adults.
Karina Tunoho—Accounts Administrator: Karina has a long and wide experience in administration and bookkeeping in property, hospitality and small business environments. After more than three decades working and living in Sydney, Karina is delighted to be back living in her home town of Ōtaki and working with the team at Toi MAHARA.
Trustees
Gordon Shroff (Chairperson) is a former senior civil servant with an interest in the arts. He graduated in History from Auckland University in 1967 and joined the NZ Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He was Deputy Secretary of Foreign Affairs, serving in New York, London and Samoa during his career. In the mid-1980s he headed the New Zealand Immigration Service. He was President of the Friends of Te Papa from 2012 to 2015 and served on the Friends’ Board for eight years. He was admitted as a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) in 2004.
Andrew Sexton BArch (Hon) joined the board in late 2022, as an independent Director. A member of the NZ Institute of Architects, Andrew owns and manages his own award-winning architectural practice—Andrew Sexton Architects, established in Wellington in 2004—and now more recently based in Mahara Place, Waikanae.
Dr Warren Young joined the board in 2024. Dr Young brings his previous experience as Chair of Arts Access Aotearoa to Toi MAHARA. He has spent 30 years working in, and studying, aspects of the criminal justice system. He has been an academic, senior civil servant, law reformer and most recently General Manager of the Independent Police Conduct Authority. In 2015 he was appointed a Companion of the Queen’s Service Order for services to the law.
Ann-Maree Ellison is the Te Āti Awa representative on the board of trustees, Te Āti Awa ki Whakarongotai, Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāi Tahu. With expertise in Education and Environmental management, her personal goal is to lift the educational achievements of Iwi/Māori. She currently holds positions as Whakarongotai Marae Trustee, Raukawa Foundation, Te Āti Awa Charitable Trust, Cultural Heritage Liaison Group M2PP, Te Whakaminenga o Kāpiti, To Ohu Taiao, Town Centre Working Group, ART Forum, Māori Economic Development Board, Ara Tahi, Te Upoko Taiao, and is an accredited Environmental Commissioner.
Karen Radford joined the Trust in March 2025. Karen is an experienced private sector board member, managing director and fundraiser who believes that focussing on differentiated, sustainable long term strategies maximises the opportunities for value creation. Karen is joint owner of Anzacare Ltd, based in Waikanae and before that was Development Director at Queen Margaret College responsible for fundraising campaigns for major capital developments for the school. Karen held the Managing Director position at Radford & Company for six years and before that was a policy analyst at New Zealand Treasury.
Pat Stuart’s career was largely in the museum and art gallery sectors and included senior roles at Te Papa during its development and early operational phase, and as Chief Executive of Experience Wellington managing Wellington City Council owned institutions such as City Gallery and Wellington Museum. Since 2020 Pat has been a member of the Ngā Manu Board of Trustees including 5 years as Chair. She is a member of the Kāpiti Coast Tourism Advisory Board which supports tourism development within the district. Her decision to join the Board reflects the importance she places on Toi MAHARA’s contribution to the social and economic wellbeing of the communities it serves.