Board Chair
Marek Townley
Marek works for a Member of Parliament as a communications, research and policy advisor while studying towards a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts at Victoria University of Wellington. He is passionate about engaging young people to be informed, active citizens who participate in the political sphere with the tools and knowledge to influence the issues they care about.
Marek has previously worked for Auckland Council and the Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives, and he has supported a variety of youth engagement and community causes and organisations as a volunteer. He was CYNZ’s Executive Director from May 2018 to November 2019. As Board Chair, Marek’s priorities are ensuring that the Executive Committee is supported and empowered to carry out its work, and that CYNZ is sustainable and well-equipped to achieve its goals into the future.
Marek has previously worked for Auckland Council and the Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives, and he has supported a variety of youth engagement and community causes and organisations as a volunteer. He was CYNZ’s Executive Director from May 2018 to November 2019. As Board Chair, Marek’s priorities are ensuring that the Executive Committee is supported and empowered to carry out its work, and that CYNZ is sustainable and well-equipped to achieve its goals into the future.
Board Deputy Chair
Erin Sampson
Having participated in the National Student CHOGM in his final year of college, Erin joined the organising committee to help support the event in 2008 and 2009. He has been a member of the Royal Commonwealth Society ever since and maintains a strong interest in global affairs and international organisations.
Erin graduated from Victoria University of Wellington with a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Commerce (First Class Honours). After spending time working at the New Zealand High Commission in London, he joined the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet as an analyst. Erin currently works for KPMG as an advisor. He also holds a commission as a Captain in the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment (RNZIR), where he is currently posted as the Acting Officer Commanding of Wellington, West Coast, Taranaki Company, 5/7 RNZIR.
Erin graduated from Victoria University of Wellington with a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Commerce (First Class Honours). After spending time working at the New Zealand High Commission in London, he joined the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet as an analyst. Erin currently works for KPMG as an advisor. He also holds a commission as a Captain in the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment (RNZIR), where he is currently posted as the Acting Officer Commanding of Wellington, West Coast, Taranaki Company, 5/7 RNZIR.
Board Member
Darryl Stevens, MZNM
Darryl Stevens served as CYNZ's Board Chair from 2014-2019. Commonwealth education has been central to much of Darryl’s NGO involvement. He led and administered the National Student CHOGM from the early 1980s through to 2010 and has remained closely involved with subsequent Student CHOGMs.
His dedication and guidance has seen over 2,000 high school students pass through the programme and gain a basic understanding of the role and purpose of the Commonwealth. Among Darryl's other successes has been achieving Government support for Commonwealth Day observances.
Darryl has held a variety of roles within the RCS and currently serves as Pacific Regional Coordinator and Wellington branch President. Darryl was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to youth and the Commonwealth in 2013.
Board Member
Paul Foster-Bell
Paul grew up on a beef farm in Northland, and attended Whangarei Boys’ High School. After studying at the University of Otago, Paul worked as a NZ diplomat offshore in the Middle East.
Paul was elected to Parliament as a List MP in 2013, based in Wellington Central. He also served as the Pacific Regional representative on the Executive Committee of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. Since leaving the House in 2017, Paul has returned to working consulting on foreign policy, NZ politics, security, and military affairs.
Aside from enjoying theatre, Paul is a registered marriage celebrant in both NZ and the State of Hawaii, a member of the Royal Numismatic Society of NZ (coins and medals), and a member (and former office holder) of Monarchy NZ. He has an interest in aviation, having completed a private pilot’s licence as a teenager, as well as history, cooking, British and US politics, and museology.
Paul was elected to Parliament as a List MP in 2013, based in Wellington Central. He also served as the Pacific Regional representative on the Executive Committee of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. Since leaving the House in 2017, Paul has returned to working consulting on foreign policy, NZ politics, security, and military affairs.
Aside from enjoying theatre, Paul is a registered marriage celebrant in both NZ and the State of Hawaii, a member of the Royal Numismatic Society of NZ (coins and medals), and a member (and former office holder) of Monarchy NZ. He has an interest in aviation, having completed a private pilot’s licence as a teenager, as well as history, cooking, British and US politics, and museology.
Board Member
Karim Dickie
Karim is a Wellington-based public servant. He studied film and media at Victoria University of Wellington and defence and international development at Massey University. Karim is the Executive Director of the Caribbean Council, an organisation he founded which aims to promote links between New Zealand and countries of the Caribbean.
Karim has an active interest in the Commonwealth and in supporting engagement between New Zealand and other Commonwealth member states.
Karim has an active interest in the Commonwealth and in supporting engagement between New Zealand and other Commonwealth member states.
Board Member
Dr Jo Howse, FNZEAS, FCCEAM
Jo Howse is the President of the Royal Commonwealth Society Auckland and has had extensive international experience in Commonwealth organisations.
Jo served on the Commonwealth Foundation Civil Society Advisory Committee (CSAC) for a four-year term. During that term, she also served on the Steering and Planning Committees for the Commonwealth People’s Forum (CPF), a parallel event to CHOGM, in Malta and Uganda, and also on the Commonwealth Foundation Board of Governors. Jo has a strong commitment to the Commonwealth that stems from her previous roles as the National President of the New Zealand Education Administration Society (NZEAS) when she was awarded the FNZEAS, and as the International President of the Commonwealth Council in Educational Administration and Management (CCEAM) when she was awarded the FCCEAM for her services in educational administration across the Commonwealth.
Jo served on the Commonwealth Foundation Civil Society Advisory Committee (CSAC) for a four-year term. During that term, she also served on the Steering and Planning Committees for the Commonwealth People’s Forum (CPF), a parallel event to CHOGM, in Malta and Uganda, and also on the Commonwealth Foundation Board of Governors. Jo has a strong commitment to the Commonwealth that stems from her previous roles as the National President of the New Zealand Education Administration Society (NZEAS) when she was awarded the FNZEAS, and as the International President of the Commonwealth Council in Educational Administration and Management (CCEAM) when she was awarded the FCCEAM for her services in educational administration across the Commonwealth.