Meet the Trustees

Terry McBeth

Founder, Chair and Trustee

Terry is now retired, earlier served as a logistician in the New Zealand Army for 34 years reaching senior rank, followed with a number of years leading procurement and logistic processes in the banking sector in New Zealand.

John Masson

Secretary and Trustee

John served as a logistician and trainer in the NZ Army for 27 Years retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2000. This service has been followed by 14 years in Primary Education, including seven years as the Principal of Pinehaven School and the last three years as Principal of Paekakariki School.

Phillip Blundell MNZM

Project Manager and Trustee

Retired following a 42-year career in logistics and procurement with NZ Defence and private sector with ANZ Bank and PwC. Involved in community service in the disability sector. 

Bruce Peddie

Treasurer and Trustee

Bruce is a Chartered Accountant with experience in working with small and medium sized enterprises in a CA firm. He has also worked for NZ Defence Force for 20 years in a wide range of finance, strategy and performance roles.

Wayne Guppy

Trustee

Wayne is in his fourth term as Mayor of Upper Hutt, and is also a trained Pharmacist. He is currently the Deputy Chair of Hutt Valley DHB. Wayne has wide-ranging board experience. He also holds several Directorships.

Brian Bray

Trustee

Brian is a retired lawyer, having been a partner with the law firm DLA Piper New Zealand firm for 25 year, practicing corporate governance and commercial law.


Past Trustees

Major General (Retired) Louis (Lou) Joseph Gardiner ONZM

Founding Trustee, General Gardner died on 18 July 2015.

A graduate of the Royal Military College Duntroon, he served extensively as a logistician and commander in the New Zealand Army including Chief of Army.

General Gardner was instrumental in establishing contact for the Trust at the highest levels in New Zealand. 

Major (Retired) Joseph (Joe) Seymour Bolton III RNZAOC

Founding Trustee and Project Manager, Major Bolton died on 13 June 2020

In his later years and dealing with all the effects of veteran service caused cancer and subsequent treatment, he persisted until the end in caring for the project.

Joe served in the New Zealand Army for 25 years as a logistician followed by a career in the commercial sector food industry.

He was previously involved in another war memorial project and has published three histories.

His contribution to Poppy Places of New Zealand is significant and warmly acknowledged.