About Snow

Snow is a dedicated community leader, strategic thinker, and tireless advocate for the people of Kaipara. With over two decades of service across education, environmental protection, sport, emergency management, and economic development, Snow offers an exceptional blend of lived experience, proven governance, and deep commitment to the future of the region. His leadership is grounded in integrity, action, and a strong connection to people and place.

Snow's Skills and Experience

Community leadership

Education Governance

Former Trustee and Chair of Selwyn Park Primary, Dargaville Intermediate, and Dargaville High School, where Snow championed student achievement and strengthened community-school partnerships.

Community Development

Former board member of the Kaipara Community Centre, Community Organisation Grants Committee, and the Hillary Commission Local Committee, where he helped secure support for grassroots initiatives, community wellbeing, and inclusive local services.

Marae Trustee

Trusted representative for Pananawe Marae and Waikara Marae, anchoring his leadership in Te Ao Māori values, manaakitanga, and intergenerational resilience.

Sport and Youth Empowerment

A long-standing former rugby coach and mentor, Snow has inspired generations through his coaching roles with Selwyn Park Primary, Northern Wairoa Sub-Union, Western Sharks, Southern, and Kaihu Rugby Clubs.

As a former Northland Regional Age-Group Rugby Coach, he has fostered youth development, leadership, and discipline, using sport as a platform for positive community impact.

Regional and Environmental Governance

National Leadership and Advocacy

Nationally, Snow contributed to key Department of Conservation platforms, including the DOC Percentage of Revenue Framework Reference Group, where he advocated for solutions in
visitor conservation.

Professional Experience

General Manager (and previously Operations Manager) of the Te Roroa Development Group, overseeing diverse operations in iwi commercial ventures, environmental restoration, tourism, farming, transport, and regional partnerships.

Former Senior Manager at Progressive Enterprises, and Board Member of ORT Farms, bringing commercial insight, operational expertise, and strategic acumen to his leadership portfolio.

Awards and Recognition

Snow’s contributions have been recognised at local, regional, and national levels:

NZTA Environmental Award – For leadership in sustainable transport and environmental responsibility.
NZ Biosecurity Awards (Community & Nursery) – For excellence in invasive species control and ecological protection.
Northland Regional Council Environmental Award – For regional leadership in environmental outcomes.
Caltex Community Award, Kaipara Coach of the Year, and the Progressive Peoples
National Award – Celebrating Snow’s enduring legacy in sport, community development, and national progress.

Snow plays a key leadership role in some of Taitokerau’s most important regional forums, influencing
long-term strategy and environmental action:

Northland Civil Defence Emergency Management
Kaipara Economic Forum
Joint Climate Change Adaptation Committee
Kauri Ora CoLab
Taitokerau Destination Management Advisory Board

His governance helps shape regional emergency preparedness, water resilience, climate adaptation, tourism development, and sustainable land use for future generations.