Appointed Board Member- Heath Kerr (Chair)
Heath joined the board in November 2021. Heath has over 20 years’ experience in private equity and investment banking in Australia and New Zealand. Over that time, he has advised small and large companies and organisations on capital raisings, capital management, strategy and governance. Heath is currently a director of one of New Zealand’s leading private equity firms, Direct Capital. At Direct Capital Heath is responsible for investing and managing capital on behalf of institutional investors to help some of New Zealand’s leading companies achieve their growth strategies.
Heath grew up in Hawkes Bay and then studied strategy and finance at The University of Waikato. Heath lived in Sydney for 13 years before returning and settling in Auckland 5 years ago. He is a passionate social surfer, as are his three children.
Heath is looking to leverage his passion for surfing and his commercial experience to help Surfing NZ achieves its vision and strategic objectives.
Elected Board Member – Deb Bowry (Deputy Chair)
Deb is a previous board member for New Zealand Water Polo and has an interest in vast aquatic sports whether it is in the pool or in the ocean. She is of Samoan descent and loves the diversity that surfing provides for all walks of life in our beautiful country.
Deb brings knowledge and experience from seven years on the NZ Water Polo Board with a clear understanding of the difference between governance and management. Deb is currently the Sport Operations Coordinator for School Sport Canterbury with a finance portfolio aimed at helping grow revenue streams in the sporting environment.
Deb is a current member of the Southern Wahine Boardriders Club.
Appointed Board Member – Monique Esplin
Monique Esplin joined Surfing NZ Board in 2024. After two decades in Sydney, Australia, Monique returned to New Zealand, where she quickly immersed herself in community, actively involved in Bay Board Riders in Mount Maunganui & chair of Indigitech providing digital education equity for your Māori and Pacific Island youth.
Surfing runs in the family, Monique’s eldest son competes internationally in Longboard, and youngest Zade at the national level. Her husband Jason, a qualified judge and volunteer for Surfing New Zealand, completes this surf-enthusiast family.
Professionally, Monique has held leadership positions at Amazon Web Services, Vocus, and Telstra, demonstrating expertise in partner sales, business strategy, and channel management. Her diverse background in technology, & passion for leadership and mentorship make her a valuable addition to the Surfing NZ Board, where she aims to contribute to the sport’s growth, inclusion and development.
Appointed Board Member – Delphine Ducaruge
I’m Delphine, a French-Kiwi with a passion for board sports and a strong background in business and tech. My career spans software, products, and services, alongside ventures like a photography studio, a kiteboarding magazine, and an e-commerce consultancy.
As part of a surfing family and a very enthusiastic (but not so skilled) surfer myself, I’m excited to give back to the surfing community. I bring skills in troubleshooting, collaboration, and leading teams, with expertise in startups and SMEs. I advise startups through the University of Canterbury Center for Entrepreneurship and serve as Chairperson of NZTech, helping drive New Zealand’s tech industry forward.
With high energy, a love for humour, and a focus on getting things done, I’m thrilled to contribute to Surfing New Zealand, combining my love for the ocean with my business experience.
Appointed Board Member – Matt Wood
Profile to come.
North Island Representative – Keri McKenzie
Keri is originally from Mount Maunganui, left to Australia when she was 18 and came back to NZ 16 years later. Australia was where she had her three surfing children. There she had a thriving natural skincare business before coming back to NZ to settle in the Hawkes Bay.
In Hawkes Bay she is the Community and Development Manager for the Your Solutions Hawkes Bay Boardriders, and a event co-ordinator for the largest game fishing competition in the region. She’s soon to also start a job in the Building Industry.
Keri’s favourite thing to do is hang with her family at the beach, travelling around new spots – always on an adventure.
South Island Representative – Jimi Higgins
Having been elected to the board in 2023 as the South Island Elected Director, Jimi has been deeply connected to the surfing community throughout his life, transitioning from competing as a grom to taking on roles in judging, tabulating, and contest directing. With extensive experience, he has directed some of New Zealand’s most prominent surfing events, including the South Island Champs.
He brings over five years of leadership within the South Coast Boardriders Committee, where he first served as Youth Representative and now as Contest Director and Secretary. Currently, Jimi is also the Vice President of the South Island Surfing Association and the National Director for Police Sport Surfing, underscoring their commitment to advancing the sport.
Beyond surfing, Jimi is actively involved in community service and governance, having contributed to organisations like Life Education Trust, Coastguard New Zealand, St Johns, Red Cross. and most recently Task Force Kiwi. Professionally, Jimi works for the New Zealand Police, whilst studying for a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Defence and International Security Studies.
Maori Representative – Alan Te Moananui
Alan is a secondary school teacher at Kaikoura High School. He teaches Health, Physical Education as well as junior Te Reo Māori. Alan is passionate about coaching students and is a rugby coach and judo coach at the school.
Alan has a Masters of Education in Bilingual and Immersion Teaching through the Hoaka Pounamu Programme at Canterbury University, and he is also currently studying the Māori Martial Art of Mau Rakau.
Alan has had a long relationship in high performance sport, having been a New Zealand Representative in Judo and also being a Māori Rep in the Aotearoa Surfing Team that competed in New Caledonia for the Melanesian Cup.
Alan feels that he can bring a positive Māori perspective to the Surfing New Zealand Board.
