Our people

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.

John Verstegen

John has been involved with volunteer organisations in New Zealand for over 30 years, primarily in Emergency Services and Search and Rescue.

When he found out about WanderSearch, at a New Zealand Search and Rescue workshop, he immediately knew that this was an organisation that he wanted to get involved with. Initially John joined as a volunteer completing battery/device changes before adding tracking lost devices (not people) to his role. When the opportunity came up to join the board he jumped at the chance. John brings a wealth of Not for Profit/Charity, fundraising as well as Search and Rescue knowledge to the table, so that he can help grow the organisation and continue the very important and potentially lifesaving work it does.

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.