Elevate Ōtorohanga is governed by the Ōtorohanga District Development Board (ODDB), which was established in 2018 and has since evolved into a business member organisation and economic development agent working on behalf of the community. The ODDB is made up of dedicated board members from the local business community, each bringing unique skills and perspectives to champion economic growth in Ōtorohanga.
Our Board Members
Carolyn Christian
Chairperson
Born in Huntly Carolyn moved to Ōtorohanga when she was 6 months old. Carolyn is a director of Ōtorohanga Transport Limited Group and Waikato Thorougbred Racing. Alongside her family Carolyn supports the Ōtorohanga community in many ways, serving on sports committees and Boards and sponsoring groups and events. Carolyn enjoys most sports and loves her time walking the family miniature schnauzer.
Katrina Christison
Council Representative
For over two decades, Katrina has proudly called Ōtorohanga home. She has served nine years as an elected member of the local council and is currently the Deputy Mayor, bringing a deep understanding of local governance and a strong commitment to being a genuine voice for the community. Katrina has been active in local sports, fundraising, and community events like Children’s Day. As the owner of Tidy Gardens, she combines hands-on leadership with small business experience, offering practical insights to Elevate Ōtorohanga. Her approach is grounded in community values - and her garden, where she finds inspiration and joy.
Pat Edwards
Board Member
Pat came to the Ōtorohanga District in 2004, initially farming at Korokonui. In 2013, he and his son’s family purchased a 300ha dairy farm at Maihiihi. Originally from Auckland, Pat left the city 45 years ago to follow his passion for farming. He is a director of Ovation Farms Limited and an active member of Ōtorohanga Lions. Pat is especially passionate about supporting young people in the community to achieve their dreams and goals. In his spare time, he enjoys fishing and bike riding.
Marain Hurley
Board Member
Marain was the Chairperson of Elevate between 2022 and 2025. Marain has commercial and rural experience in the business world, where today she and her husband Noel own and oversee their dairy farm operation in Ōtorohanga. She brings to the Board 15 years’ experience as National Sales and Marketing Manager, followed by the ownership and operation of her retail store Marayns in Ōtorohanga for 22 years. Marain is also a Justice of the Peace (JP), providing an additional avenue of service to the local community.
Jacque Purdy
Board Member
Jacque made the move from Auckland to Ōtorohanga six years ago, embracing the close-knit community and rural lifestyle. She works in the transport industry at Bulk Lines, where the variety and fast pace of each day make her role both dynamic and rewarding. A passionate fan of Formula One and rugby, Jacque enjoys the strong sporting culture New Zealand offers. She values the welcoming nature of Ōtorohanga and the balance it provides for both professional life and personal interests.
Cheyne Waldron
Board Member
Cheyne joined the Elevate Board in 2024. He is a Chartered Accountant and director at Bailey Ingham Chartered Accountants. A former student of Ōtorohanga College, he later completed a Bachelor of Management Studies at the University of Waikato. Cheyne values the strong community spirit of Ōtorohanga and enjoys working closely with local business owners and farmers. Outside of work, he spends time with his family, enjoys time on the farm and at the beach, and is often found on the football field either playing or supporting from the sidelines.
Sue Garmonsway
Board Member
Originally from Rotorua, Sue has lived in the Pirongia area for the past 30 years. She is a qualified lawyer and previously served as Director of the Otorohanga office of local law firm Gallie Miles. Sue now runs her own legal practice, SG Legal, and also teaches at the NZ College of Law. A former President of the Ōtorohanga Business Association, Sue is passionate about supporting the growth of local businesses. She also serves as a trustee for the North King Country Development Trust and the Sacred Heart Girls’ College BOT in Hamilton. Outside of work, Sue enjoys hiking, and is gradually working her way through the Great Walks of NZ.
Nicki Raffills
Board Member
Nicki Raffills grew up north of Auckland, on the beaches of Whangaparaoa, moving to Maihiihi in 2010, to marry a dairy farmer - the last place anyone thought she would be. Nicki has worked in the top 5 corporates in NZ in executive administration, project and event management. She joined eight73 Consulting, a local HR company in 2014, taking ownership in 2023. Nicki has been an active member of the Maihiihi community and school board member, is currently Board Chair of Waitomo Waipa Women’s Refuge. Nicki is a Chartered Member of HRNZ and brings a wealth of HR experience, currently supporting many local businesses in our community.
Employees
Meela Bhatti
Business Development Coordinator
Meela brings over 15 years of marketing experience, specialising in both traditional and digital strategies for small to medium-sized businesses. With a Bachelor of Communication Studies from the University of Waikato, she has a strong passion for enhancing customer engagement and building brand recognition. A Te Awamutu local and former small business owner, Meela understands firsthand the challenges local businesses face - and believes that being from a small town shouldn’t limit opportunities for business growth. Since joining Elevate, she has grown to genuinely care about local businesses and is passionate about helping them thrive.
Sas Montgomery
Marketing & Events Coordinator
Sashtree (Sas) joins us from the Ōtorohanga District Council, where she held roles ranging from Customer Experience to Community Programmes. A well-known community member, she actively volunteers with organisations including the Ōtorohanga Volunteer Fire Brigade. Sas describes herself as a communicator, connector, and community-minded creative, passionate about making a difference. Whether through local events, whanaungatanga, or hands-on collaboration, she is driven by a simple goal: helping create a place where tamariki can grow up proud of where they belong.
