Our Trustees help steer the ship. They provide leadership and oversight to make sure Marlborough Youth Trust stays strong, sustainable, and focused on supporting local youth.
With experience across different industries and sectors, they help ensure we continue making a meaningful impact in Marlborough.
Amaroa Katu – Marlborough Youth Trust Trustee (Chairperson)
Amaroa Katu brings over a decade of experience in the health sector and currently serves as Chairperson of the Marlborough Youth Trust. She has a strong background in executive administration, human resource management, community health, and service delivery at a strategic and governance level. Amaroa is the Community Health Services Manager for Marlborough Primary Health Organisation, where she leads initiatives designed to improve youth access to health services and reduce inequities. She has also held senior leadership roles within Marlborough Pacific Trust and Te Hauora o Ngāti Rārua. Her extensive experience working alongside Pasifika and Māori communities strengthens MYT’s cultural safety, health equity focus, and commitment to wraparound support for rangatahi.
Helen McLean – Marlborough Youth Trust Trustee
Helen McLean is a long-serving MYT Trustee and an retired experienced Health Promoter with the Public Health Service. Her work focuses on youth wellbeing, positive sexuality, and strengthening environments that support safe, informed decision-making for young people. Helen established the Marlborough Colleges Peer Support Programme in 1996, training students in health, wellbeing, and peer mentoring skills. She has been a consistent advocate for Rainbow young people in Marlborough and continues to support inclusive practice across the youth sector. Her longstanding community connections and expertise in health promotion bring valuable insight and evidence-based practice to the Trust’s governance.
Ian Mills – Police Use of Force Specialist Trustee
Ian Mills is a recognised police officer expert with decades of experience training officers in operational safety and tactical decision-making. He has contributed specialist evidence in police misconduct hearings, providing expert analysis on whether police actions align with training standards and appropriate practice. His insights emphasise the importance of context, rapid decision making, and proportionality during high pressure situations. Ian’s expertise is valuable in understanding how youth interactions with police can escalate or deescalate depending on training, communication, and tactical choices.
Ailsa Carey – Retired Community Education Officer
Ailsa Carey is a retired highly experienced Community Education Officer with REAP Marlborough, where she has played a pivotal role in supporting lifelong learning across the region. She has worked extensively with Marlborough’s rural and Pasifika communities, ensuring education is accessible, culturally responsive, and aligned with community identified needs. Ailsa has led initiatives such as the Pasifika Homework Club, Computers in Homes, and a wide range of adult learning programmes including
Michael Heath – Deputy Principal, Marlborough Boys’ College
Michael Heath has served as Deputy Principal of Marlborough Boys’ College since 2011 and plays a key leadership role in education transformation across Marlborough. He has led innovation and change management work within the college and has been a central contributor to Te Tātoru o Wairau—the major Ministry of Education redevelopment that will collocate Marlborough Boys’, Marlborough Girls’, and Bohally Intermediate on shared campuses. Michael is known for his expertise in curriculum development, educational leadership, and future focused school design. His leadership ensures strong partnerships between schools and youth services across the region.
Darlene Purdie – Gateway Coordinator, Marlborough Boys’ College
Darlene Purdie is the Gateway Coordinator and Pathway Navigator at Marlborough Boys’ College, bringing more than a decade of experience in youth development, vocational pathways, and personalised transition support. She previously facilitated the Youth Employability Programme ( TE WHARE TŪ MAIA) for MYT and has worked in youth mentoring, disability advocacy, and community support roles. Darlene holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Intellectual Disability Studies and is highly skilled in coaching, organisational development, teaching employability skills, and supporting rangatahi into meaningful work placements across Marlborough