Board Chair
Darryl Stevens, MNZM
Darryl Stevens has served as CYNZ's Board Chair since 2014. Commonwealth education has been central to much of Darryl’s NGO involvement. He has led and administered the National Student CHOGM from the early 1980s through to 2010.
His dedication and guidance has seen over 2000 high school students pass through the programme and gain a basic understanding of the role and purpose of the Commonwealth. Amongst his 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.
His dedication and guidance has seen over 2000 high school students pass through the programme and gain a basic understanding of the role and purpose of the Commonwealth. Amongst his 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.
Aaron Hape
Aaron founded Commonwealth Youth New Zealand in 2014 with the aim of connecting young Kiwis to amazing opportunities around the Commonwealth. He was its foundation Executive Director until 2017. He has worked as an advisor to the New Zealand Government and served as a member of the Commonwealth Observer Group for the 2015 Trinidad and Tobago Parliamentary elections, and was part of the delegation that led the 2016 Timor-Leste New Zealand Dialogue.
Aaron attended 33Fifty, the Commonwealth Youth Leadership Programme, in Scotland in 2014. He was named as a New Zealander of the Year Local Hero medallist and sits on the Queen's Young Leaders Programme board. He is also a member of the Asia New Zealand Foundation's Leadership Network. Aaron is of Ngati Kahungunu ki Wairarapa descent.
Aaron attended 33Fifty, the Commonwealth Youth Leadership Programme, in Scotland in 2014. He was named as a New Zealander of the Year Local Hero medallist and sits on the Queen's Young Leaders Programme board. He is also a member of the Asia New Zealand Foundation's Leadership Network. Aaron is of Ngati Kahungunu ki Wairarapa descent.
Dr. Bevan Marten
Bevan Marten has been involved with CYNZ as a Board Member since its inception in 2014. Bevan’s experience in higher education and the law makes him a valuable member of the team, providing guidance on both CYNZ’s rules and the statutory framework (such as the charities legislation) in which it operates.
His work at Victoria University of Wellington brings him in frequent contact with young people, giving him a familiarity with their priorities and concerns. Bevan first attended a National Student CHOGM in 1999, and has been involved with the Commonwealth ever since, including as a Commonwealth Scholar to the University of Cambridge in 2008-09, and as a member of RCS Wellington.
His work at Victoria University of Wellington brings him in frequent contact with young people, giving him a familiarity with their priorities and concerns. Bevan first attended a National Student CHOGM in 1999, and has been involved with the Commonwealth ever since, including as a Commonwealth Scholar to the University of Cambridge in 2008-09, and as a member of RCS Wellington.
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 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 now works as an analyst with the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. Erin also holds a commission as a Lieutenant 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 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 now works as an analyst with the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. Erin also holds a commission as a Lieutenant 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.
Dr. Jo Howse, FNZEAS, FCCEAM
Jo Howse is the Vice 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.