The College has an elected school which oversees the governance of the College and its finances.

The Board is elected by elections every three years - the next election will be held in September 2028.  Meetings are held monthly and can be attended by interested parents. If you would like to attend courtesy dictates that you advise the Board Secretary in advance.  Please note that should there be issues that need to be addressed "In Committee" then you will be asked to leave during that period of discussion.

If you have any issues or concerns, you are welcome to write to the Board via Wendy Marsh, Board Secretary: wendy.marsh@kc.school.nz. Wendy can be contacted on 04 902 5121 for assistance with matters related to the Board.

Board members are:

• Mark Hammond - Presiding Member

• David Lowe - Principal

• Sharlene Maoate-Davis - Iwi Representative

• Nichola Coe - Whanau Representative 

• Katherine Jensen - Whanau Representative

• Laura Kearney - Whanau Representative

• Matt Van Wheeler - Whanau Representative

• Robbie Hutchinson - Staff Representative

• Patience Smith - Student Representative

Board Meeting Dates :

• Tuesday 24 February 2026

• Tuesday 7 April 2026

• Tuesday 26 May 2026

• Tuesday 30 June 2026

• Tuesday 25 August 2026

• Tuesday 22 September 2026

• Tuesday 27 October 2026

• Tuesday 24 November 2026

Nichola Coe

Nichola finds it a privilege to contribute to the governance of Kapiti College. Being part of the subcommittee that appointed David Lowe marked a significant moment for the College, and Nichola is enthusiastic about the direction the school is heading under his leadership. She is committed to ensuring he is supported by a strong, collaborative, and forward-thinking Board during the pivotal years ahead. Nichola’s connection to Kapiti College is both personal and professional. As a parent, she has enjoyed watching her sons grow and thrive during their time at the College. As an educator, she brings over 25 years of experience as a high school Mathematics teacher, including time spent teaching at Kapiti College. She now works as a School Relationship Manager with NZQA and also serves as a member of the Teachers Council Disciplinary Tribunal. Deeply committed to the school and its future, Nichola brings experience, dedication, and a genuine passion for education.

Matt van Wheeler

Matt cares deeply about Kapiti College, its students, and the direction the community is heading. As a proud parent of two boys at the College - Oscar and Eli -Matt brings both personal investment and professional insight to the board. With 20 years of teaching experience, Matt has seen firsthand the importance of schools being places where every young person feels safe, supported, and motivated to learn. His commitment to education extends beyond the classroom. He currently serves on the board of his son’s cadet unit, a role he has held for several years, and has previously worked as a coordinator at KCU Football Club. These community roles have strengthened his skills in communication, governance, and leadership, and have reinforced his belief in the power of people working together for the benefit of young people.

Katherine Jensen

Katherine joins the Kapiti College Board as a committed parent representative with a Year 9 student at the College and a younger son soon to follow. With a strong background in both the private and public sectors, she is currently the Head of Safety at Meridian Energy, where she supports a large national team and leads work focused on wellbeing, problem-solving, and people-centred leadership. Katherine has also led corporate communication teams at Meridian and the Department of Conservation, experience that has reinforced the importance of respectful relationships, effective listening, and genuine partnership in creating meaningful change. Before her corporate career, Katherine spent several years teaching English in China and Germany - experience that gave her valuable insight and empathy for the realities faced by students, teachers, and families in school environments. Although this is her first School Board role, Katherine brings fresh energy, curiosity, and a strong commitment to representing the parent community thoughtfully. She is focused on ensuring decisions remain centred on what is best for young people and on helping create a college environment that students will remember fondly and the community can be proud of.

Laura Kearney

Laura brings a deep commitment to Kapiti College, valuing the school as both a centre of learning and a place where creativity, inclusion, community, and service are actively lived. With a daughter in Year 9 and a younger daughter joining in 2027, Laura is strongly invested in the wellbeing and long-term success of the school. She offers extensive experience in governance, strategic leadership, and long-term planning. Before settling in Wellington and then Kapiti, Laura worked internationally supporting major companies to improve their sustainability performance, navigating complex environmental and social challenges. With over 15 years’ experience in New Zealand’s climate change and agricultural policy and science sectors, she brings strengths in systems thinking, sustainability, and evidence-based decision-making. Laura is also an active contributor to the local community, serving on the Kapiti Gymnastics Board and volunteering with Good Bitches Baking. She has supported several education and youth initiatives, including Earth Dreamers, House of Science, and Pūhoro’s STEMM programmes. Committed to collaborative, future-focused governance, Laura aims to help ensure every learner at Kapiti College can thrive in an inclusive and forward-thinking environment.

Mark Hammond

Mark brings a lifelong connection to Kapiti College, a place that has shaped him personally and continues to shape the next generation of his whānau. His nephew graduated from Year 13, and another nephew has just begun his time at the College. Mark himself attended Kapiti College from 2003–2007 and has remained closely involved ever since - supporting rugby on the sidelines, attending school productions, and joining the Year 13 Abel Tasman trip as a parent helper for the past five years. With his father recently retiring from the College’s Property Maintenance Team, Mark’s ties to the school run deep. Professionally, Mark works in Local Government, bringing experience in community and youth development, budget management, facilities oversight, and leading large teams. He understands the distinction between governance and day-to-day operations and values the Board’s role in supporting long-term direction while empowering the Principal and staff to lead the school’s daily mahi. Mark knows the school, knows its people, and cares deeply about its future. He is committed to helping ensure every student feels supported to succeed - whether academically, in sport, the arts, or through service to the community. He is proud to serve and contribute to Kapiti College’s continued growth and success.

Robbie Hutchinson

Robbie is committed to supporting his colleagues and brings an open, collaborative approach to his work. He believes strongly in transparency and generosity of practice - always willing to share knowledge, offer support, or assist others wherever he can. Stepping into this role gives Robbie another meaningful way to contribute to the school community, simply in a different capacity.

Curious by nature and keen to understand how systems operate, Robbie is interested in gaining deeper insight into the ‘behind the scenes’ workings of the school and the structures that support staff in their day-to-day roles. He sees this governance role as an opportunity to broaden that understanding while continuing to make a positive, practical contribution to the school and its people.

Patience Smith

Patience joins the Board as the Student Representative, bringing a strong commitment to ensuring all student voices are heard - especially those who are often overlooked. Patience is dedicated to representing all students—across every year level, interest, and identity. She believes that whether a young person is passionate about sport, the arts, academics, cultural groups, leadership, or is still finding their path, each deserves to have their ideas and perspectives heard at the table where decisions are made. Her priorities include strengthening communication between students and the Board, advocating for high-quality learning experiences, supporting cultural groups, and promoting student wellbeing and school spirit. Patience is committed to ensuring student ideas, concerns, and aspirations reach the Board and are followed up with clear communication back to students. She has seen firsthand the talent, passion, and potential within the kura, and she wants to ensure the Board sees and understands this from a student perspective. While she avoids making promises she cannot keep, Patience promises to listen, to stand alongside her peers, and to advocate strongly for the changes they want to see at Kapiti College.