Our People

WanderSearch Auckland Charitable Trust has a board of Trustee’s, a part-time Program Manager and Programme Assistant. We also have a number of volunteers who assist with a variety of tasks including changing the tracking devices.

Trustees

The WanderSearch Auckland Charitable Trust board directs the organisation and its key objectives to ensure the needs of our clients and whanau are met. The board conducts regular monthly meetings.

Justin Fox – Chair
PGDip, InterBus. ANZIFF, (Senior Assoc) CIP

Justin has been a Trustee of WanderSearch since 2020 and was recently appointed as Chairperson.  He has more than 25 years’ experience in financial services and other growth industries and has worked in the retirement sector. He has extensive strategic and people leadership, experience in developing key commercial partnerships and is passionate about delivering value in business and giving back to the community.

Garry Learmonth

Garry has been a trustee of WanderSearch Auckland since 2013, and is the past Chair.  Garry recently retired from the NZ Police after 24 and a half years’ service, 20 of which were as a senior member of the Auckland Police Search & Rescue squad.   He has an active role in the on-going development of the current tracking system and researching alternative systems which could enhance the current programme.

Dan Pehi

Dan has been a member of Auckland Land Search & Rescue since 2005 and has been a Trustee on WanderSearch Auckland since 2018.   He has been on a number of searches for clients and has a solid understanding of how the equipment operates and is an active member of the Trust.

Con Hickey

Con has been a trustee of WanderSearch Auckland since 2020. His career has focused on developing and executing strategy for the establishment of start-up organisations and the opening of new markets in the medical device industry across Asia/Pacific.

Roscoe Tait MNZM
BSc, BE (Chem), MNZIC, MNZIHSM, MNZSC, MNZISM

I have been, and still am, involved in outdoor activities (tramping, caving, climbing, skiing).  I have also used these skills to contribute back to the community through volunteer work with:

NZ Mountain Safety Council, Auckland Land Search and Rescue, New Zealand Land Search and Rescue and Search and Rescue Institute of New Zealand.

I have held a variety of leadership and advisory roles within each of these organisations

Over my working life I have worked in industry, managing manufacturing plants, in the appliance and chemical industries.  I have a consulting business, currently consulting on Hazardous Substances and Health and Safety to small to medium sized companies.

Awarded MNZM in 2008 for services to Land Search and Rescue

Jessie Greer

Jessie is a legal expert having experience in employment, insolvency and financial services regulation, investigations and dispute resolution.  She also brings international experience in the charities sector having been a trustee and data protection officer for a local food kitchen and cookery school (Made in Hackney) during her time in London.  Jessie is known for her strategic thinking, leadership and friendly, can-do attitude.

Michelle Millan

I became a trustee of WanderSearch Auckland in October 2023 as I truly believe in the work they do especially the peace of mind it offers to the whanau or caregiver’s of those that are at risk of wandering. I have over 20 years with NZ Police, doing a variety of roles and currently working in the Search and Rescue space in a strategic and administrative role.

I am a keen outdoors person and when not working you will often find myself and my partner away travelling in our bus exploring what our great country has to offer.

Volunteers

We have a wonderful group of volunteers who help out with not only with
device battery changes, but administration.

Staff

Programme Manager

Michelle Webb-Atkinson (24 hours a week)

09 480 4448 or 027 230 5165

Programme Assistant

Virginia Edwards (10 hours a week)