Richard was born in Hamilton and has lived in Auckland all his adult life. He is married to Robyn and has three children and seven grandchildren. He has worked as an Auckland University Lecturer in Political Studies 1970-73 and also in Planning 2005-2006. He has been chair of the Auckland District Council of Social Services for the last 14 years.
In Parliament he was the Opposition Spokesperson on Local Government, Disarmament, Foreign Affairs and Youth Affairs and chaired four select committees. His experience as chair of substantialvoluntary organisations, and being the founding chair of Community Housing Aotearoa have also made him experienced in social policy, funding, strategic development and advocacy issues.
Vice-Chairperson: David Haigh
David has an MA in sociology and diplomas in public health, community work and professional ethics. He has been self-employed, carrying out social policy research for local authorities, NGOs and Iwi. He is also a lecturer at Unitec in the Department of Social Practice and an external examiner for the Planning Department at the University of Auckland. He has sat on two ethics committee dealing with social and health research. He is chair of the Grafton Residents Association and chair of the Newmarket Arts Trust. David received the Queen’s honour of Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM). He is also a practising JP.
Secretary- Joan Lardner-Rivlin
Joan studied Social Work and Social Administration at the London School of Economics and Political Science.
She has worked in Community Development and Youth Work in England, South Africa, Zambia and Hongkong before coming to New Zealand. She worked for the Auckland Regional Authority as Community Advisor. She is now a member of the Senior Advisory Panel of Auckland Council and a volunteer Community Coordinator for the Office of Senior Citizens MSD.
Joan does a weekly radio programme on ACCESS Radio and is a member of the Board of Management of the station.
She has been a member of ADCOSS for more years than she cares to remember, and looks forward to a new era in the history of ADCOSS.
Treasurer- Suzanne Paul
Anne-Marie Coury
Anne-Marie educated at Canterbury University (BA English), Victoria BA Hons Education and Psychology, Maori Tikanga and Te Reo through Victoria and mentoring by kaumatua. Her whanau links to celtic shores of Ireland and Cornwall are valued, as well as her mother’s links with Ngai Tahu.
Anne-Marie trained as a primary teacher, was a senior advisor in education, became a director of a cross-cultural communications business. Anne-Marie is currently President of Auckland Grey Power, passionately advocating for seniors’ wellbeing, developing policy within national advisory groups for Grey Power nationwide, and being media spokesperson for the 50 Plus policies and media spokesperson on Central Auckland Issues as well as co-ordinator for 50 Plus Cycling. She enjoys her performing role with Te Puru of Tamaki, Ngati Whatua’s kaumatua kapa haka group.
Beate Matthies
Beate comes from Germany where she did a M.A. degree, specialising in linguistics. She then completed her MBA in Business Administration and International Marketing.
At present she is the Manager of the Mercy Spirituality Centre in Epsom.
Beate does a weekly radio programme on ACCESS Radio and is a member of the Board of Management of the station.
She has been a member of ADCOSS Executive for the last 3 years and her special interest is Social Justice.
Other Executive members: Ronald Andreassend, Andrew Beyer, Rose Capamagian, Josie King, Laurel Taufauata, Thurai Thuraisundaram, Rika Werner