About | Waihī Community Forum

Community Representative (Chairperson)

Belinda Burke

Community Representative (Chairperson)

We moved to Waihī from the Hawkes Bay to pursue work opportunities for my husband, settling in Waihī East five years ago. We were drawn to the East End by the lovely large sections on the edge of town and by East School which both my children attend and love.

Moving to Waihī has been a great experience for our family, we have found it to be a really supportive, friendly place to live with a lot going on if you are keen to get involved. We also enjoy the beaches and walks that are so close by.

I'm enjoying being involved with the Waihī Community Forum, particularly as Project Co-ordinator of our latest Streets Ahead scheme - the community green space. I believe a lot of good can come from this project, hopefully it will enable us to meet more of our neighbours, strengthening ties in our community.

Community Representative (Deputy Chairperson)

Bhavesh Ranchhod

Community Representative (Deputy Chairperson)

Having been born and raised in Waihī, I have an excellent perspective of local issues and concerns. I live outside the Waihī East area, and can therefore bring an impartial view to the Forum. I am a self employed chartered accountant servicing small and medium sized businesses in and around Waihī providing tax compliance and business advice. I believe that my experience in the district and my financial background will provide the Forum with a valuable skill set.

Community Representative

Mike Hayden

Community Representative

My wife and I have been East End residents for about forty-eight years, living on our small block of land. During this time I have been interested in the way Waihī has developed both physically and socially and have tried to contribute towards improving this. In that way I have been a member of the Jaycees and Waihī Lions club for most of the time we have been here and served on the Hauraki District Council as an elected member for twenty-one years. I was closely involved in the establishment of the vintage railway, the Hauraki Rail Trail and GO Waihī, as well as serving on other local community organisations.

Currently I am Chairman of the Waihī Budget Service. Before I retired I was a teacher for over forty years. I intend to keep contributing to the greater Waihī area for as long as I am able.

Community Representative

Ernani de Ocampo

Community Representative

Nani and his wife Naomi, who was born and raised in Waihī , have lived in Waihī since 2010 and have five children, Nani is an owner/operator of a lawn mowing business, Crewcut.

Prior to owning his lawn mowing business he was a youth Pastor, but now is one of the leaders at Salt Church, Waihī . He currently is involved as a coach/committee member at Waihī Junior Rugby, committee member of Waihī Bluelight since 2011, and is part of the Board of Trustees at Waihī East School

Even though he has only been in Waihī since 2010, this is where Nani considers home and he enjoys working with the Waihī Community Forum using his links with the community and youth, making their voices represented moving forward.

HDC Representative

Paul Anderson

HDC Representative

I have lived in Waihī for 20 years with my wife Delwyn and this is where we have raised our family.

I have over 28 years business experience, the last 18 together with my wife as owners of Diamonds on Seddon. Its location in the centre of town gives me an excellent perspective of local issues and concerns.

Through our business I have built trusted relationships with a large part of the Waihī community and enjoy making a positive contribution to the betterment of Waihī and its people.

HDC Representative

Anne Marie Spicer

HDC Representative

I've lived in Waihī East for 15 years with my husband Scott and our three children. We love Waihī and have made many good friends here.

I've joined several community groups and organisations over the past few years, including the Lions Club of Waihī, Grey Power and Keep Waihī Beautiful.

I was involved in community discussions with Hauraki District Council, and Newmont Waihī Gold on the Correnso Underground Mine project right at the start, and after consent was granted, working on a better deal for those living close to mining operations. I have been on the Forum as a Community representative and Chairperson and am currently one of two Council representatives as the Chair of the Waihī Ward.

I look forward to working with Waihī's committed Forum team in 2023.

Waihī Gold Representative

Donna Fisher

Waihī Gold Representative

I have lived in the Waihī Area for 46 years.

I have worked at the mine for 27 years, and my current role is Company Liaison Officer.

I am responsible for communication facilitation and conflict resolution between the consent holder (OceanaGold), the community and district, and regional staff. I also have the responsibility of the 0800 Community Engagement Line.

I have a good understanding of the AEP, Waihī Gold's operations and the Property Policy. Prior to this I was an Environmental Technician carrying out compliance monitoring, which involved vibration, noise, dust and water monitoring. I feel I add value to the forum with my experience in dealing with complaints and concerns raised by the community, environmental monitoring and local knowledge of the town and its people.

Community Representative

Rangipehi Honey

Community Representative

My whānau and I have called Waihī home for many years. I am privileged to be working in our community as the medical centre manager of Waihī Health Centre. My role has seen me witness the challenges and wins our community have had to navigate with healthcare and wellness.

I am a competitive paddler and the club president of Hauraki Waka Ama, promoting and supporting paddlers of all ages and abilities with their fitness and hauora, on and off the water through the tikanga and kaupapa of Waka Ama. We are fortunate to do this in our backyard, located in Bowentown.

I am grateful to be part of the WCF forum who undertake and support projects for the people of Waihī with such passion and pride. I bring a lense of equity, te ao Māori and all that encompasses within its values.

Waihī Gold Representative

Kyle Welten

Waihī Gold Representative

My family and I live in Waihī Beach, and I’ve been with OceanaGold Waihī for five years. In my role as the External Affairs and Social Performance Superintendent, I work with a small team of people who are collectively responsible for social performance, communications, and stakeholder engagement at the Waihī Operation.

Originally from Cambridge, I moved to the area for work, but it has quickly become a place my family and I are really comfortable in, with a culture that enables a work/life balance that suits us well.

Being part of Waihī Community Forum has been great, it is a fantastic mechanism for helping OceanaGold understand local aspirations and values, and supports the company in endeavouring to align our operational performance toward supporting the sustainable economic and social development of Waihī . I'm really proud to be involved.

WCF Coordinator and Funds and Grants Coordinator (Non Voting)

Paula Blackman

WCF Coordinator and Funds and Grants Coordinator (Non Voting)

My name is Paula and I am the Waihī Community Forum Coordinator. I also apply for grants and funding on the group’s behalf.

I live in Waihī and moving here is one of the best decisions I’ve made.

I am a proofreader and copy editor by trade, but also have a wide range of administrative skills that I have acquired over my career. I am excited to be providing admin support and applying for grants and funding to a community focused team.

As Forum Coordinator I am your first port of call should you wish to get in touch with the Forum.

In order to keep track of everything we encourage you to write to us, and you can do this by emailing us at wcfinformation@gmail.com, or you can send a letter to our postal address (Waihī Community Forum, P. O. Box 142, Waihī, 3641).

I also regularly send out Forum updates, please get in touch if you would like to receive these.