Deborah Manning is our Founder and CEO, bringing the food rescue concept to life in Dunedin in 2012 and Auckland in 2015. A qualified lawyer and physiotherapist, Deborah has worked in the public health system, various law firms and is an invited lecturer at the University of Otago.
Maria spent 20 years Account Directing in marketing, branding and design agencies around the world before discovering the food rescue mission while living in Sydney. She developed an addiction for the cause, firstly as a volunteer before being recruited onto the team at OzHarvest, then returning home to bring hands-on experience to build KiwiHarvest
Belinda is the wizard who works closely with our food donors and recipient agencies to magically move food from where it’s not needed, to where it is! Well-versed in corporate, not for profit and social enterprise environments, she brings a wide range of skills and experience to the KiwiHarvest team.
Seidah is responsible for helping to keep things moving at our Auckland HQ, coordinating deliveries of food from businesses and collections by our recipient agencies. Outside of KiwiHarvest, Seidah is an experienced performing artist, and enjoys teaching dance to young people and setting up events for the dance community.
Terry brings a big community heart calm and willingness to everything he does. His mechanical, forklifting and warehouse management skills are also put to good use handling our frequent bulk deliveries and looking after our little green fleet.
Seti knows the food industry inside out from her years of experience working as a chef. She is now putting her experience and skills to good use for KiwiHarvest delivering good produce out to recipient agencies and helping them to work out what to do with it all!
Amélie is the one keeping you updated on everything that is going at KiwiHarvest. She is the face behind our social media channels and, together with Andy, runs our Comms and Marketing department. In a previous life, Amélie worked as a professional singer before coming to New Zealand and studying Communications at AUT.
Andy brings with him three years’ experience managing community meals at FoodCycle in the UK. Together with Amélie he tells the world about the cool stuff we do and is the mastermind behind the KiwiHarvest website and newsletters. When he’s not doing that, he’s growing food in his garden, brewing his own beer, or watching English football at inconvenient hours.
Susie spent 8 years in the New Zealand Army as a chef, training in Culinary Arts and Logistics before moving to Dunedin to complete a Bachelor of Applied Management and working in events management. Susie currently volunteers for Land Search and Rescue and Bellyful so has an appreciation of the difference a helping hand can make for people in a time of need.
Rae’s job as volunteer coordinator means she meets every volunteer to provide their orientation and keeps our rosters running smoothly.
Christine helps with day-to-day running tasks here at our office. With her help we’re able to ensure our administration processes are as effective as possible.
Allan has been part of the team from the early days. His role as one of our drivers means he visits our many different food donors including the Otago Farmers Market early on Saturdays. Big Al is also our resident handyman.
Dan is one of our superstar drivers. He is kept busy collecting food donations around town from the likes of cafes and supermarkets.
Trixie started as a volunteer in Auckland in 2018 and relocated down south to take over for Susie while she is on maternity leave. She also is our health and safety representative. A recent sociology and health promotion graduate, Trixie has a passion for sustainable food systems and an eye for the big picture.
Nikki coordinates our Hawke’s Bay operations in collaboration with local agency, Nourished for Nil. When she is not rescuing food, Nikki is busy spending time with her family and attending to her duties as a board member for Māori Women’s Refuge.
David Kirk is familiar to many Kiwis through his achievements at the top levels of both business and sport. He captained the All Blacks to win the Rugby World Cup in 1987. In business, David is Co-founder and Managing Partner of Bailador Investment Management. He is also the chairman of Trade Me Group and Kathmandu, and a director on multiple boards. He was awarded an MBE in 1987 and spent a period as an advisor to the New Zealand Prime Minister.
Pieter Brits is an experienced commercial lawyer with degrees in both Law and Commerce. He is a Director and advisor to a number of technology companies and COO of Nomos One, a lease accounting and management software company.
Suneil Connor is the Chief Financial Officer of LINK International Group, a NZ-owned multinational business brokerage. He has formerly worked for both KPMG and Crowe Horwath. Suneil is a Committee Member of the Auckland Branch of the Institute of Directors, on the board of Auckland Foundation, and holds the position of Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee for both Auckland Foundation and KiwiHarvest.
Deborah Manning is our founder and CEO, bringing the food rescue concept to life in Dunedin in 2012 and Auckland in 2015. A qualified lawyer and physiotherapist, Deborah has worked in the public health system, various law firms and as an invited lecturer at the University of Otago.
Sydney Telfer is our KiwiHarvest Board Intern. Sydney is a student at the University of Otago studying environmental management and economics. She has represented New Zealand in the University Trans-Tasman rowing squad and received national titles in the sport. Sydney has been a consultant with Otago University’s Ignite Consulting and has a strong belief in social justice.