GOVERNANCE

The Massey University Foundation is a charitable trust registered with the New Zealand Charities Commission, registration number CC27593. It sits separately from the University and is governed by an independent board of trustees.

The operating costs of the Foundation are met by Massey University and the day-to-day management of its activities are the responsibility of Massey's Development Office.

Today the Massey University Foundation has an endowment portfolio of about $54 million. Endowed funds are invested with an approved fund manager and the distribution of funds is overseen by the Foundation’s board.

The board has a fiduciary duty of care to ensure all funds donated to the Foundation are managed, invested and distributed appropriately and according to the donor’s wishes.

The Foundation board reports to the Massey University Council and produces audited accounts in an annual report.

You can view our Trust policy documents here.

Meet our Foundation Board Members

Card image cap
Bryan Mogridge, Chair

Bryan gained a degree in Biochemistry at Massey. He entered the wine industry as General Manager of Corbans in 1983 before being appointed in October 1984 as Managing Director and CEO of New Zealand's largest and publicly listed wine company, Montana Wines

In 1985 he was elected the Chairman of The NZ Wine Institute (now New Zealand Winegrowers), and became an inaugural Life Member in 1998.  In the same year he was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to the wine industry. In 2008 he was inducted into the New Zealand Wine Hall of Fame. During this time Bryan was instrumental in building a solid export base for all New Zealand wine.

Bryan has a passion for philanthropy and among many activities has been a trustee of the Starship Foundation since its inception and chairman for the past 20 years.

Card image cap
Professor Jan Thomas, Vice-Chancellor & ex-officio member

Professor Jan Thomas commenced as Vice-Chancellor of Massey University in January 2017. From 2012 Jan served as Vice-Chancellor and President at the University of Southern Queensland in Australia.  Prior to that, she held various senior executive positions at Murdoch University and the University of Notre Dame Australia from 2003.

Professor Thomas has a PhD in Veterinary Science from Murdoch University and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute for Company Directors. She has received numerous awards for her leadership in education.

Professor Thomas currently holds the position of Chair for the Managing Council of the Association of Commonwealth Universities based in London and is a member of the Hong Kong Quality Assurance Council.

Card image cap
Dianne Kidd

Dianne graduated from Massey University in 1977 with an Arts degree majoring in Geography. She enjoyed a diverse career in education and the NZ funds management sector before turning her hand to a number of non executive governance roles over the last decade.

With her husband Richard Kidd (also Massey University graduate B.Ag.Sc) they actively farm a 376 ha Helensville sheep & beef farm and are the 2016 National winners of the Ballance Farm Environment Awards & Gordon Stephenson Trophy.  Dianne is a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors. 

Dianne was recognised in the 2016 Queen’s Birthday Honours for her services to health administration.

Whenuanui Farm is on the edge of Auckland city. The farm is recognised and respected for its productivity and proactive environmental management. Their son David Kidd graduated from Massey University in 2006.   David was the 2014 ANZ Young Farmer of the year.

Card image cap
Ross McEwan CBE

Ross McEwan is a former Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of National Australia Bank. He retired in April 2024 with more than 30 years of experience in the financial services industry.

Ross holds a Bachelor of Business Studies from Massey University, New Zealand. In 2020 he was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2020 New Year Honours for services to the financial sector.

Ross has significant executive experience, including in the financial services industry, with deep expertise in capital allocation, risk management and value creation in complex regulatory environments.

Ross was a former Group CEO of the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) from 2013 to 2019. Before this, he held executive roles at Commonwealth Bank of Australia, First NZ Capital Securities and National Mutual Life Association of Australasia / AXA New Zealand.

He is currently a Non-Executive Director of BHP. Ross is also on the Board of QinetiQ Group plc, Ruminant Biotech Corp Limited and Ruminant Biotech Australia Pty Ltd. Ross is also a director of the Massey University Foundation.

Card image cap
Professor Wayne McIlwraith

Dr. McIlwraith obtained his veterinary degree from Massey University in 1971. He practiced in New Zealand and the UK, followed by an internship at the University of Guelph, Canada, a surgical residency at Purdue University and obtained MS and PhD degrees from Purdue University. Since 1979 he has been a faculty member at Colorado State University.

Currently he is a University Distinguished Professor, holds the Barbara Cox Anthony University Endowed Chair in Orthopaedics and is founding Director of the Orthopaedic Research Center and the Musculoskeletal Research Program at Colorado State University. He also has a referral surgical practice in Southern California and consults elsewhere in the US and also in Ireland, England and France.

He is a recognised leader in the fields of equine orthopaedic surgery and research.

He is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation and the European College of Veterinary Surgeons as well as a Fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (UK). He is a Past President of AAEP, ACVS and The Veterinary Orthopaedic Society.

Card image cap
Adam Peren
Card image cap
Shelley Turner

Shelley Turner has extensive experience in senior leadership roles in the state sector, with a proven background of delivery and organisational leadership. Most recently, she was acting Chief Executive and Director of the Civil Aviation Authority and Deputy Chief Executive responsible for all corporate services.

Shelley has held several senior roles in the New Zealand intelligence community, including Deputy Director General and General Manager, Intelligence Community Shared Services. She brings a strong HR background, in both the State Services Commission, a prior role with the Civil Aviation Authority, and a previous role in the intelligence community.