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Inangahua Community Board

Many territorial authorities have community boards to help represent and advise Council on community views.

Community boards are elected at the same time as Councils but do not have the same powers. The role of the Inangahua Community Board is to help Council to understand and meet the Inangahua community’s needs. 

Inangahua Community Board representatives

Robyn Abbey

027 651 0990

Bio

Robyn moved to Buller with her family in 1992. She managed her own physiotherapy practice for 15-years, after this she moved into occupational health, and has worked in health and safety. Robyn is a keen sportsperson and has competed in many multisport and adventure racing events. Taking it a bit easier now, she enjoys bikepacking, tramping, gardening and walking the dog.

Robyn moved to Reefton in 2016 after a 16-month bike ride back from the UK. She volunteers as a first responder for St John and is involved in Search and Rescue as an active field team member.

She is helping to organise the Inangahua A& P show, and generally enjoys the many activities Reefton, its thriving community, and the fantastic surrounding has to offer.

Dean Giddens

0225910717

Bio

Dean Giddens recently moved to the West Coast to gain more experience in the construction and building industry. Dean also has a strong interest in the local Reefton community and has
recently formed a youth academy for Olympic style boxing and wellbeing of local youth.

With his trade expertise in the engineering field, 30-years of management experience, his coaching background, and currently owning a business, Dean is keen to be involved in and address community issues.

Ashleigh Neil

Bio

Ashleigh was born in Nelson and moved to Reefton about five years ago for work and to be closer to her family.

She is a member on the Reefton Who Cares House Committee. She is passionate about increasing the awareness of challenges people faced who are differently abled and have accessibility and inclusivity concerns.

Alun Bollinger

03 732 8123

Bio

Alun Bollinger is a long term member of the Inangahua Community Board being in his third term.

Having grown up north of Wellington, he lucked into a job as a Cinecamera Trainee with the NZBC when he was a teenager. Back in these days, there was only one television channel in black and white.

He left television as a twenty year old and, although he didn’t realise it at the time, he became a freelance cinematographer.

Alun met his wife Helen in the Southern Alps in 1970 when he was working on a mountain climbing film. They married in the Reefton Oddfellows Hall later that year. Moving around a bit, following work and whims, living in an artistic community of musicians and film makers for several years, they eventually found their way to Blacks Point in 1979.

Alun and Helen raised four sons, keep a beautiful and productive garden, and find time to contribute to their community in various ways.  Both Alun and Helen have served on the Inangahua Community Board.

Alun Bollinger is member of the NZCS, MNZM, NZ Arts Foundation Laureate.