Our Board Members
Brigid McDonald
Chair
Brigid joined the Board in November 2022, with a passion for enabling access to justice, community empowerment, and good governance.
She has worked as a lawyer in the areas of property, infrastructure, resource management, and broader local government matters, and in a central government role managing a national work programme for housing development feasibility and property acquisition. Currently, Brigid works as in-house counsel in local government.
Brigid is a Member of the Institute of Directors.
Born and raised in Rotorua and now living in Tauranga Moana (via Tāmaki Makaurau), Brigid is an advocate for a thriving Bay of Plenty region and its diverse communities.
Ayla Naidoo
Deputy Chair
Ayla is a lawyer and works in Strategy & Policy for her local Council, channelling her heart for others into strategic planning and oversight of projects, including the creation and review of Bylaws/Policies, as well as leading the development of a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy whilst being involved in human rights academia.
Ayla is also on the Board of Hope St. Charity, whose mission is to give the most vulnerable children and communities hope for the future. Ayla has been a part of advisory groups focusing on DEI and Wellbeing, and is a member of the Institute of Directors. She loves volunteering and has been passionate about community causes from a young age.
Helen Stewart
Helen was Executive Director of the Kawerau Enterprise Agency (KEA) Inc from 2002-2018. She is interested in community development and chairs Kawerau and Districts Ageing in Place (KADAP) which she and others established in 2015. Helen had 2 terms on the Bay of Plenty Institute of Directors Committee.
Helen has been active in the voluntary sector for many years and is involved with several non-profit organisations across the wider Bay of Plenty. Being part of the Finance, Audit and Risk Sub-Committee for Baywide and in her other roles has meant she continues with ongoing learning as a key part of her governance journey.
Kate Ashcroft
Kate Ashcroft is a Partner at Copeland Ashcroft Workplace Lawyers, a national firm providing specialist advice, representation and support across the full ambit of workplace law issues, including employment, health and safety and immigration. In this role, Kate provides commercially pragmatic, tailored solutions to client issues.
Kate has also always had a passion for volunteering, including holding non-profit governance roles throughout her career.
Kate is a member of the Institute of Directors and is on the Bay of Plenty Branch Committee of the Human Resources Institute of New Zealand (HRNZ).
Rajiv Naidu
Rajiv Naidu is an accomplished senior executive and board director with an extensive international career spanning Fiji, New Zealand, and Australia. Known for his strategic leadership, he brings a wealth of experience in governance, digital transformation, and operational excellence.
Raj offers a unique “tri-country” perspective, combining local Pacific insights with the rigour of Australian and New Zealand corporate practices. With a strong background in board-level advisory, he has held senior leadership roles within major institutions and multinational organisations across the Oceania region. Raj is the founder of the 1Love Fiji Charitable Foundation.
Tina Harris-Ririnui
Tina brings more than two decades of senior leadership and governance experience across the sport & recreation, arts and community sectors, with a strong focus on strategic planning, organisational sustainability and community impact.
With deep ties to the Bay of Plenty, Tina brings a practical understanding of balancing commercial discipline with meaningful community outcomes. She brings strong business acumen, collaborative leadership and a commitment to governance that reflects cultural responsiveness. She is known for building strong relationships, contributing to collaborative and constructive board discussions, and bringing positive energy to the board table.
Lynda Frew
Lynda Frew is a graduate of the University of Waikato (LLB (Hons)) and the University of Strathclyde (LLM), and has over 20 years’ experience as a lawyer in Aotearoa New Zealand and overseas. She has been based in the Bay of Plenty since 2011.
In 2012–2013, she worked as a solicitor with Baywide Community Law, developing a strong understanding of community-based legal services and the importance of accessible legal information, advice and representation. Since 2013, she has held in-house commercial law roles and currently works in local government.
Lynda contributes to her community through both hands-on volunteering and governance roles, including with the In-house Lawyers Association of New Zealand (New Zealand Law Society). She is a member of the Institute of Directors and is committed to using her professional skills to support initiatives that build and enhance whānau wellbeing and community resilience.