He kōmiti

Committee

Our dedicated committee guides the Heretaunga Women’s Centre with diverse expertise, providing strategic direction and ensuring our programmes effectively support and empower women in the community.
Florence Charvin-HERETAUNGA WOMENS CENTRE-board-DSCF4390 copy

Fiona Fraser

Chair

Fiona Fraser has been with the Heretaunga Women’s Centre since 2022. Her expertise lies primarily in journalism, media and publicity, having been a radio host, writer and editor of NZ Woman’s Weekly magazine before moving to Hawke’s Bay and establishing a public relations practice. Raised by a feminist mother, Fiona has always been drawn to helping women thrive, and feels privileged to be part of the fabric and kaupapa of the Centre. She’s focused on building effective teams, growing sustainable funding streams and driving greater awareness of the important role the Centre plays in women’s lives.

Florence Charvin-HERETAUNGA WOMENS CENTRE-board-DSCF4363

Vicky Taylor

Secretary

Vicky Taylor sits on our committee, helping with the governance of the Centre, with a particular focus on our marketing and brand management. Vicky has more than 20 years of experience working in the technology sector across the Asia Pacific region. Vicky is passionate about furthering the fortunes of women and joined the Centre because she wanted to give something back to the community and to women in particular.

Florence -Charvin-HWC-Board portraits-DSCF8516 copy

Karen Tobeck

Treasurer

Karen Tobeck joined the HWC Committee in July 2024.

Florence Charvin-HERETAUNGA WOMENS CENTRE-board-DSCF4372

Bridget Seque

Committee Member
Bridget Seque is a member of the Centre’s committee. Her background includes health promotion training, volunteering roles that support emotional wellbeing, decades of work in the complementary medicine sector, and now work in the volunteering sector. She brings expertise in quality systems and regulations, and volunteer support. Bridget has a particular interest in equality and equity, and health and wellbeing during our whole of life journey and end of life care. Bridget chose to be part of the Centre to help support its work in providing a ‘community’ for all women and in advocating for and promoting women’s independence, equality and self-determination.
Florence Charvin-HERETAUNGA WOMENS CENTRE-board-DSCF4402

Raynor Huia

Committee Member and Kaiārahi

Ko Raynor taku ingoa. I have been involved with the centre since 2017. First as a student counsellor on placement and then as a committee member 2019. I was born and raised in Hastings, I am a mother of four and a grandmother of four. I am encouraged by the amount and level of support the centre provides for women in the Te Matau a Maui (Hawke’s Bay) on a daily basis. The high level of skill and resource the centre has to draw from within the pool of volunteers and staff. I am so excited and passionate about the strategic direction of the centre, particularly in relation to the responsibility to Te Tiriti o Waitangi partnership and together as Tangata Tiriti honouring Te Tiriti. I can be found at the centre offering support through Mahi Wairua sessions, ACC counselling and Kaitiakitanga. I look forward to continuing working with staff, volunteers and the committee to support woman in Te Matau a Maui.

Evoto

Vanessa Shoemark

Committee Member

Vanessa Shoemark joined the HWC Committee in February 2025.

Aroha mai, aroha atu

Support the Heretaunga Women’s Centre

As a charitable organisation, we rely on the generosity of people like you to help provide essential support for the wāhine of Hawke's Bay. Regular and one-off donations, corporate partnerships, and legacy donations all make an invaluable difference to the women in our community.