The Eden Park Trust Board

Kereyn Smith

Chair: Kereyn Smith, CNZM, is a Director and Consultant, with significant experience and a proven track record in governance, leadership and executive roles within New Zealand and internationally.  These roles span sport, education, government and non-Government and include oversight of complex global projects. She is an acclaimed leader and trusted mentor across various settings and sectors.

Kereyn is presently providing advisory, consulting and leadership services, including being an Expert Advisor for Portas, a premier global management company dedicated to sport and physical activity.

In a governance capacity, Kereyn was a Vice President of the Commonwealth Games Federation and on International Olympic Committee (IOC) Commissions, notably the IOC Evaluation Commission responsible for selecting the 2024 and 2028 Olympic Host City. She served as Vice President of International Netball following her work as Chair of Netball New Zealand.   She has also been a Trustee of the Forsyth Barr Stadium, Council Member of the University of Otago and Director of the Highlanders Rugby Franchise, amongst other roles.

Kereyn was CEO of the New Zealand Olympic Committee for three Olympiads, following her time as CEO of the New Zealand Academy of Sport – South Island.

Kereyn was named a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to sports governance in the 2023 New Years Honors.

Nicholas Albrecht

Nicholas is the owner and director of a government relations company Massey Coates Limited. He previously headed Vector Limited’s government relations for over 14 years. Nicholas has been a member of the Eden Park Trust board since 2018 and a member of the Auckland Cricket board since 2014. He is also the chair of the Victoria Park Sports and Cultural Trust, and a member of the Institute of Directors. He holds a Master of Arts (Hons) in Political Studies from the University of Auckland and a Bachelor of Business Studies from Massey University.

Bill Birnie

Bill brings extensive governance experience to the Board.  With a long career in investment banking, Bill previously served as Deputy Chair of Sport New Zealand, High Performance Sport New Zealand and the New Zealand Film Commission.  He was a Founding Trustee of the Wellington Stadium Trust, a Director of the New Zealand Screen Council, Director of Equestrian Sports New Zealand from which he received an Honorary Life Membership, and Chairman of the KidsCan Charitable Trust.  He is currently a Trustee of the Parliamentary Education Trust, Director of TAB NZ, Director of Cricket New Zealand, Chairman of Far North Holdings Limited and Christchurch based orthopaedic instrument manufacturer, Enztec Limited.

Bill was recognised for his work in many sectors in 2018 when he was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) for services to governance, the arts and sport.

Simon Bridges

Simon Bridges is a lawyer turned senior National politician and MP for Tauranga who held a raft of senior responsibilities in New Zealand politics, including as Leader of the National Party and of the Opposition. Today he is a director and businessperson.

 As a Minister in the Key/English governments Simon held a wide variety of Ministerial portfolios including Economic Development, Transport, Communications, Energy & Resources, Labour, Associate Finance and Leader of the House.

Prior to Parliament, Simon started his career in a national law firm and was then a Crown prosecutor for several years conducting many serious criminal jury trials.

Simon has an LLB (Hons) and BA from Auckland University where he received a Senior Law Prize, and a Bachelor of Civil law from Oxford University. In addition, Simon has studied at the London School of Economics and interned at the British House of Commons as part of a Chevening-Hansard Society Fellowship.

Simon retired from politics in 2022 and today is the CEO of the Auckland Business Chamber. Additionally, he is a non-executive chair and director on a number of company and public boards, and is a businessperson working in a range of sectors.

Graham Child

Graham is an experienced leader and strategic thinker with a deep commitment to community development. Graham brings a wealth of knowledge in governance, operations, and stakeholder engagement. His background spans a range of industries including sports, business, and the not for profit sector, where he has contributed to shaping impactful initiatives that benefit both local and national communities. Graham is currently on the NZ Olympic Committee (Chairing the Finance Audit and Risk committee); a director of Four Winds Foundation Ltd (Gaming Trust); a member of the Commonwealth Games Federation Audit and Risk Committee; and Chair of Loaded Reports Limited. Graham has a background in hockey, having represented NZ and coached at all levels. He is currently a Black Sticks Men’s selector.

Graham Jackson

Graham has a Bachelor of Commerce from Auckland University and has over 35 years extensive experience in corporate finance and governance. He currently holds a number of directorships on significant NZ private companies. Graham is a passionate sports fan and is an appointee of Auckland Cricket. He has previously served on the Eden Park Trust Board as an Auckland Cricket appointee.

Lara McKittrick

Lara McKittrick is a seasoned leader with over 15 years of experience in digital transformation, strategic development and governance, and business innovation. Her career spans various industries, including manufacturing, wellness, agri-tech, supply-chain, telcos, consulting, where she has led teams in driving business led transformations, strategy development, business model shifts, optimising customer experiences, and implementing agile delivery frameworks, ensuring that organisations remain competitive, forward-thinking, and focused on long-term growth. Her experience working with diverse stakeholders, guiding complex projects, and delivering measurable results enables her to offer strategic insights and governance that support organisational sustainability.

With a deep understanding of governance and the importance of strong leadership, Lara brings a balanced perspective to decision-making and risk management.

Lara has held senior roles including at Deloitte as a Director – Technology Strategy and Transformation, Transformation Director for tri-entity transformation programmes, and Executive GM of Product, Experience, and Marketing at Kotahi Logistics. She also serves as an Independent Director at Auckland Rugby Union.

Andy Roberts

Andy is the Chief Operating Officer at Star Hospitality. Star is the largest hospitality business in NZ with approximately 60 establishments across the North Island. Prior to Star, Andy practised law at Bell Gully in Auckland and at Linklaters in London, Paris and Singapore.

Andy holds a BCom and LLB from Auckland University. He is a member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors and an independent director of the Auckland Rugby Union and The Blues.

Marama Royal

Ko Māhuhu ki te rangi tōku waka
Ko Maungakiekie tōku maunga
Ko Waitematā tōku moana
Ko Ōrākei tōku marae
Ko Ngaoho, Te Taou, Te Uringutu oku hapū
Ko Ngāti Whātua tōku Iwi
Tihei Mauri Ora!

Māhuhu ki te rangi is my canoe
Maungakiekie is my mountain
Waitematā is my ocean
Ōrākei is my ancestral ground
Ngaoho, Te Taou, Te Uringutu are my subtribes
Ngāti Whātua is my tribe
Tis there be life!

Marama was born and raised in Tāmaki and had the privilege of receiving her education at Queen Victoria School in Parnell. She has extensive experience in strategic planning, relationship management, leadership, governance, and organizational change. Marama has been a Director of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Trust since 2010 and has served as Chair since December 2017.
Marama also holds a number of Chair and Directorships roles across various organisations and trusts.

Ngati Whatua Orakei Reserves Board – Chair
Ranginui 12 Trust – Chair
SkyCity Community Trust – Chair
AUT – Pro-Chancellor
Auckland Police Taumata – Co-Chair
NICF (National Iwi Chairs Forum) – Chair – Pou Take Ahuarangi

Marama is a current serving Justice of the Peace and an Independent Marriage Celebrant which are her voluntary roles within the community. Marama is passionate about achieving positive outcomes for whanau, especially our kaumatua and is a servant of her people.