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Meet Our Trustees & Staff

Sandy is currently the Chair of the Rotorua Civic Arts Trust and has been a Trustee since 1997. She is a strong supporter of the Arts in Rotorua with a particular interest in music. She is a former Trustee of the Rotorua Lakeside Charitable Concert Trust and past president and current member of the Rotary Club of Rotorua Sunrise. She currently works part time as an English Language Teacher.

Sandy Hall - Chairperson

Sandy is currently the Chair of the Rotorua Civic Arts Trust and has been a Trustee since 1997. She is a strong supporter of the Arts in Rotorua with a particular interest in music. She is a former Trustee of the Rotorua Lakeside Charitable Concert Trust and past president and current member of the Rotary Club of Rotorua Sunrise. She currently works part time as an English Language Teacher.

A Foundation trustee of Rotorua Civic Arts Trust.  Was Managing Director of H K Heaton Ltd until the closure of the firm at the end of 2007.  Currently Managing Partner of Heaton Properties.

Was Chairman of two national trade groups and Past President of the Rotorua Chamber of  Commerce. Currently a member and Past President of the Rotary Club of Rotorua and member and Past President of the Probus Club of Rotorua.

In the 1950’s was drum major of the Rotorua Municipal Band and a member of the Rotorua Civic Choir.

John K Heaton – Foundation Trustee

A Foundation trustee of Rotorua Civic Arts Trust.  Was Managing Director of H K Heaton Ltd until the closure of the firm at the end of 2007.  Currently Managing Partner of Heaton Properties.

Was Chairman of two national trade groups and Past President of the Rotorua Chamber of  Commerce. Currently a member and Past President of the Rotary Club of Rotorua and member and Past President of the Probus Club of Rotorua.

In the 1950’s was drum major of the Rotorua Municipal Band and a member of the Rotorua Civic Choir.

Alexis has dedicated her life to fostering inclusive and vibrant communities in Rotorua and across New Zealand. A founding member of the Rotorua Ethnic Council (now Multicultural Rotorua), she also served nationally as National President of the New Zealand Federation of Multicultural Councils, contributing over a decade of leadership to advancing multiculturalism and equity. She founded the Rotorua Pacific Islands Development Charitable Trust and served as its chairperson, advocating for the wellbeing of Pacific communities. Her longstanding service has been recognised through numerous honours, including the Sir Peter Blake Leadership Award, the Rotorua District Community Award, the Paul Harris Fellowship, was a finalist in the 2014 Westpac Women of Excellence Awards and has served as a Judge for the New Zealander of the Year Awards. She was appointed as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, MNZM in 2023.

Alexis LewGor MNZM – Trustee

Alexis has dedicated her life to fostering inclusive and vibrant communities in Rotorua and across New Zealand. A founding member of the Rotorua Ethnic Council (now Multicultural Rotorua), she also served nationally as National President of the New Zealand Federation of Multicultural Councils, contributing over a decade of leadership to advancing multiculturalism and equity. She founded the Rotorua Pacific Islands Development Charitable Trust and served as its chairperson, advocating for the wellbeing of Pacific communities. Her longstanding service has been recognised through numerous honours, including the Sir Peter Blake Leadership Award, the Rotorua District Community Award, the Paul Harris Fellowship, was a finalist in the 2014 Westpac Women of Excellence Awards and has served as a Judge for the New Zealander of the Year Awards. She was appointed as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, MNZM in 2023.

Grahame has had a life time interest and supporter of the arts.

He has formally held a number of positions in out community including Chairman of Rotorua Festival of Arts Trust, Trustee for Lakeside Concert Charitable Trust, Mayor of Rotorua, Chair of Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust. Currently Trustee NZ Aria Trust and has been a Trustee of the Rotorua Civic Arts Trust since 1992.

Grahame Hall QSO JP – Trustee

Grahame has had a life time interest and supporter of the arts.

He has formally held a number of positions in out community including Chairman of Rotorua Festival of Arts Trust, Trustee for Lakeside Concert Charitable Trust, Mayor of Rotorua, Chair of Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust. Currently Trustee NZ Aria Trust and has been a Trustee of the Rotorua Civic Arts Trust since 1992.

David has been a Rotorua resident for nearly all his life. After being educated at Edmund Rice College, he went to Auckland to train as a graphic designer. Returning to Rotorua he worked at The Daily Post, Braynart Group and Holmes Printing before starting his own business, DJ Creative, 40 years ago.

David has been involved with the graphics for Rotorua Lakeside Concerts since they began 27 years ago and is now a trustee of Rotorua Lakeside Concert Charitable Trust.

He is a member of the Rotary Club of Rotorua Sunrise and a Paul Harris Fellow.

David is constantly amazed at the wonderful talent that emerges from Rotorua and is pleased to be a part of fostering these people through Rotorua Civic Arts Trust.

David Jones – Trustee

David has been a Rotorua resident for nearly all his life. After being educated at Edmund Rice College, he went to Auckland to train as a graphic designer. Returning to Rotorua he worked at The Daily Post, Braynart Group and Holmes Printing before starting his own business, DJ Creative, 40 years ago.

David has been involved with the graphics for Rotorua Lakeside Concerts since they began 27 years ago and is now a trustee of Rotorua Lakeside Concert Charitable Trust.

He is a member of the Rotary Club of Rotorua Sunrise and a Paul Harris Fellow.

David is constantly amazed at the wonderful talent that emerges from Rotorua and is pleased to be a part of fostering these people through Rotorua Civic Arts Trust.

Tia Smith, a dynamic figure in Rotorua’s vibrant arts scene with a background in event management and a passion for fostering and supporting the creative space.

Tia is a driving force behind promotion of Rotorua art events and has experience in film and TV.

Tia is committed to supporting local artists and promoting diverse artistic expressions and is looking forward to engaging with the Rotorua Arts Community.

Tia Smith – Trustee

Tia Smith, a dynamic figure in Rotorua’s vibrant arts scene with a background in event management and a passion for fostering and supporting the creative space.

Tia is a driving force behind promotion of Rotorua art events and has experience in film and TV.

Tia is committed to supporting local artists and promoting diverse artistic expressions and is looking forward to engaging with the Rotorua Arts Community.

Adrienne has been performing and teaching all kinds of music for many years, including piano, singing, percussion and a range of other instruments.  She has also been involved in music administration, having been general manager of the Wellington Sinfonia and director of the Rotorua Music School.

Adrienne believes creativity and the arts are vital to our wellbeing and give our lives real meaning.  She is grateful to be part of the trust in its support of the arts in Rotorua.

Adrienne Hall - Trustee

Adrienne has been performing and teaching all kinds of music for many years, including piano, singing, percussion and a range of other instruments.  She has also been involved in music administration, having been general manager of the Wellington Sinfonia and director of the Rotorua Music School.

Adrienne believes creativity and the arts are vital to our wellbeing and give our lives real meaning.  She is grateful to be part of the trust in its support of the arts in Rotorua.

Alison is a long-standing and deeply respected member of Rotorua’s community, currently serving as Secretary of the Rotorua Civic Arts Trust.

With more than 15 years of service at the Rotorua Trust — where she became known as “the face” of the organisation — Alison has made a lasting impact by supporting thousands of local groups and residents through her compassionate and accessible approach to funding.

Alison Perrin KSM - Secretary

Alison is a long-standing and deeply respected member of Rotorua’s community, currently serving as Secretary of the Rotorua Civic Arts Trust.

With more than 15 years of service at the Rotorua Trust — where she became known as “the face” of the organisation — Alison has made a lasting impact by supporting thousands of local groups and residents through her compassionate and accessible approach to funding.

Deirdre Miller is a dedicated and quietly powerful force within Rotorua’s arts community. Known for her incredible efficiency and calm leadership behind the scenes, Deirdre has long been committed to helping creative projects flourish. Whether as a Production Manager or through her many other contributions, she consistently ensures that ideas become reality with professionalism and heart. Deirdre is someone who gets things done, often without fanfare, but always with excellence, making her an invaluable pillar of support for the arts in Rotorua.

Deirdre Miller - Treasurer

Deirdre Miller is a dedicated and quietly powerful force within Rotorua’s arts community. Known for her incredible efficiency and calm leadership behind the scenes, Deirdre has long been committed to helping creative projects flourish. Whether as a Production Manager or through her many other contributions, she consistently ensures that ideas become reality with professionalism and heart. Deirdre is someone who gets things done, often without fanfare, but always with excellence, making her an invaluable pillar of support for the arts in Rotorua.