Meet The Team

Howard joined the committee in 2022 and was elected chair in 2024. For the past 30 years, Howard has owned a property in Mangawhai, but it wasn’t until he got his gold card a few years ago that he decided to settle here full-time—and he’s been loving it ever since.

Has been living in Mangawhai  since  2022 and has recently been elected as Deputy Chair of Mangawhai Artists Inc. Sheridan has spent most of her adult life living and working abroad, most recently in the Aboriginal communities of Ngaanyatjarra in Western Australia with the Aboriginal Artists of the Papulankutja Artist Centre.

Moved to New Zealand in 2016 with his family and is now calling the greater Mangawhai area home. After a career in accountancy and banking and having owned a consulting business, he is now working as a compliance consultant for the financial services industry. This job allows him to work mostly from home, making it convenient to be an active volunteer for several organisations, mainly related to arts and sports. He has been a frequent visitor of the gallery since he moved here and is acquainted with several artists and committee members of MAI. Getting reeled in as a committee member was therefore somehow inevitable... He has been a committee member since April 2024, currently as Secretary. In this role he strives to do his bit for the Mangawhai (artistic) community by trying to combine Kiwi manners with Dutch directness.

Was co-opted to the Committee in December 2018, elected deputy chair 2019  - 2021 and served as chair from 2021 - 2024. In 2024 Belinda stepped down as chair and took on the role of treasurer.  She brings a range of useful skills from her background in accounting, management, volunteering, not-for-profits and politics.

Dutch documentary photographer and photojournalist who came to New Zealand in 2016. She studied art at the Willem de Kooning Academy in Rotterdam, media at Open Studios Amsterdam and photography at the Academy for Photography Amsterdam, specialising in documentary photography and photojournalism. Chris has expanded her art journey into printmaking, surface pattern design, book art, botanical printing and abstract painting. Chris brings organisation skills and "a considerable dose of plain Dutch straightforwardness to the committee." Chris is responsible for coordinating our exhibition season, organising the members exhibitions and helping artists to get ready for their exhibition. She is also involved in organising the annual Art Trail.

Loves making art, drawing and painting, but particularly making paper mosaic which I have been practicing since about 2005. Since moving to Mangawhai in 2022 I have been  encouraged and supported by the MAI community to enter my work in members' exhibitions and even stage my own exhibition in April 2024. Volunteering for the committee is a practical way of expressing my enjoyment of the art community and gratitude for that support.

He and his family moved to Mangawhai in early 2021 after spending 9 years in Vietnam where Shann owned a Gallery and Hotel Artwork Consultancy and Design business called Hay Hay Design. The gallery promoted and provided a living for a selection of local Vietnamese artists. He is a Graphic Design graduate and has started several companies including Tantrum Design, creating NZ inspired design products and recently wrote and illustrated a children’s book called ‘Too Much Stuff’. On return to NZ he has continued art consulting for commercial projects as well as getting involved in local council and community arts projects. Shann is also a practicing artist and creates mixed media artwork with a heavy emphasis on design. Shann and his family are loving being back in New Zealand and are enjoying Mangawhai’s growth and community spirit.

Is a passionate advocate for the unifying and inspiring power of art. As a member of the Mangawhai Art Gallery Committee, she enthusiastically combines her love for artistic expression with her dedication to strengthening community bonds. In addition to her role on the committee, Janél serves as the coordinator and curator for mini exhibitions at the Kaipara Council Offices in Mangawhai and actively helps organize events for Friends of Mangawhai Artists (FOMA). She is eager to contribute to the cultural landscape of the town, enriching its vibrant community and fostering a deeper sense of connection among its members.​

In 2024, I moved to the Mangawhai area, fulfilling a lifelong dream of immersing myself in art. While my passion for creativity started at a young age, my career led me into the corporate world, primarily in tech, for over 35 years. Now, I’m embracing the best of both worlds—blending my geek side with my artistic passion. Recently, I was invited to join the committee to share my tech expertise, allowing me to contribute to the local creative community in new and exciting ways.