From left to right: David Wong Hop, Jane Messer, Lindsay Waugh, Zahra Fazelnia, Claire Dale, Gayle Marshall.
Claire Dale
Claire lives in the central city and is passionate about age-friendly cities and spaces.
She works part-time at the University of Auckland in the Retirement Policy and Research Centre.
She writes for academic and media publications about key policy areas such as intergenerational equity, pensions, health and housing.
Her work also sees her organising public events to provide and promote discussion and dissemination of age-related information and issues.
Claire is the founder and chair of Ngā Tāngata Microfinance, an organisation that works with Kiwibank and financial mentors to provide no-interest loans to people on low incomes.
The organisation also promotes social justice, financial capability inclusion, and provides protection from predatory lenders.
David Wong Hop
David is a historical researcher and a foundation member of the Chinese New Zealand Oral History Foundation.
As the deputy chair of the previous Seniors Advisory Panel, he wants to continue the work of the panel with a focus on transforming Auckland into an age-friendly city.
He believes Auckland should involve all ages, ethnicities, those with disabilities, and transgender communities.
He is also keen to encourage more people to participate in local council activities and be involved in the council’s drive for efficiency and climate change.
David has extensive connections in Auckland with the Chinese, Asian and other ethnic communities.
He hopes to encourage more people to share their knowledge of art, culture, language and religion, as well as physical activities and exercise.
Gayle Marshall
Auckland-born Gayle lives in Glen Eden and her second home is on Waiheke.
She has been married 56 years and has one adult son.
Gayle has tangata whenua heritage on her paternal side: Ngati Paoa of Tanui.
A former owner of two retail businesses, she is very involved in her community facilitating marriage and funeral services.
She also works with a number of charitable organisations.
Gayle has seen many changes within our city and has a keen interest in people who call it home.
Her questions have always been: do the people understand how to take on board how our cities work, or is life all too consuming with very little time for anything else?
She was an elected member of three terms and chair of a community board for Waitakere City Council. She also spent three terms on the Portage Licensing trust.
Jane Messer
Jane was born and raised in Auckland.
She enjoys travelling and has lived and worked in a number of different countries as a health professional and language teacher.
She is a mother and grandmother and appreciates the cultural and environmental diversity of Auckland.
Jeet Suchdev
Jeet has 25 years of experience and service in working with seniors.
Jeet’s background includes owning and running a successful hospitality business, which he gave up to pursue his community interests.
As the founder of Bhartiya Samaj Charitable Trust, Jeet established the Senior Citizens Group.
A partnership with the BUPA New Zealand saw Jeet establish the first culturally appropriate rest home for seniors.
In 1995, he founded an organisation focused on helping the South Asian community settle in New Zealand. This has grown into a highly successful community organisation.
Jeet has extensive governance experience and has been involved with many boards, including the Ethnic Peoples Advisory Panel from 2011-2013.
Lindsay Waugh
Lindsay has a long history of involvement with local government. She has worked in a variety of fields, including the Safer Communities Crime Prevention initiative and has coordinated Settlement Support in the North Shore.
She also did a three-year stint as the first general manager of the Takapuna Beach Business Improvement District.
Lindsay was an elected representative on the Birkenhead Northcote Community Board. She was also the inaugural chair for the Kaipatiki Local Board and a local board member for the last two terms.
Lindsay did not seek re-election at the last election as she wants to apply her experience and knowledge to promoting the contribution senior citizens can make to Auckland's future.
Zahra Fazelnia
Zahra moved to New Zealand with her family in 2006. To help immerse herself into Kiwi culture, she began to volunteer for ESOL Home Tutors (teaching English to refugees), Mercy Hospice, and Community Care Auckland.
She also attended Maori Cultural Awareness workshop and studied the Treaty of Waitangi.
Although her background was mostly in banking and investment, she was also a qualified ESOL teacher. So she began to teach English as a second language at Rutherford College as part of their community education programme.
She also volunteered for the Massey Citizen's Advice Bureau and Hospice West Auckland.
Zahra retired in 2017. She has continued her community involvement and updated her knowledge by attending different courses and doing extra volunteering.
She was a volunteer board member for Waitakere Ethnic Board until June 2020.
She is currently is a volunteer board member (treasurer) at Waitakere Health Link.
