Board of Trustees
Julie Hardaker (chairperson)
Julie Hardaker was mayor of Hamilton from 2010 – 2016 and has been a strong supporter of the arts for many years. She has practiced law for over 25 years and operates her own law firm in Hamilton. Julie is also a governance professional and a Chartered Fellow of The Chartered Governance Institute. Julie holds board roles including Deputy Chair of Auckland Transport, Deputy Chair of Bay Venues Limited and Chair of Women on Boards New Zealand. She is the former chair of New Zealand’s Environmental Protection Authority. Julie has a strong interest in governance training and supporting women to achieve governance success.
Kim Budd (deputy chairperson)
Kim has been the principal of Kaipaki school since 2017. She plays violin, flute, and piano and was a member of the Waikato Secondary Schools Orchestra. Kim plays with the Rusty Player Orchestra.
Theresa Le Bas (treasurer)
Theresa is the senior partner of Tompkins Wake’s Environmental Law Team, with more than 25 years’ legal experience in national law firms in both New Zealand and Australia. Tompkins Wake is a national law firm with particularly strong ties to the Waikato community, nurtured through the provision of legal services in Hamilton for nearly a century and in Rotorua for more than a century. Theresa is a current board member of the Tompkins Wake Board and a trustee of the Rotorua Public Arts Trust. To balance out the analytical focus of daily working life, Theresa is an enthusiastic amateur cellist, an occasional pianist and a keen masters rower. Theresa plays with the Rusty Player Orchestra.
Heather Connolly
Heather is the Head of Philanthropy for the Waikato Bay of Plenty Cancer Society, and manages a team that is focused on creating a more sustainable funding model for the organisation. Prior to taking up this role in mid 2024, she spent 21 years at the University of Waikato in a variety of positions, the most recent being the Director of Engagement and Executive Education for the Waikato Management School. During her tenure Heather was also the Director of the Waikato MBA, and she facilitated the teaching of courses in strategic management at undergraduate and graduate level. Heather is often found at business events in the region, and is a passionate advocate for the arts, having studied piano, flute, violin and singing in her earlier years. More recently she has been known for her involvement in bands in the Waikato as a vocalist. She is also a supporter of musical theatre working both on and backstage over the years, with the various groups in the Waikato. Now with her children and their musical aspirations, her passion lies in creating a sustainable musical ecosystem for the next generation of musicians. Heather has had prior governance roles as a trustee for 7 years for Endeavour School (Chair for 4 years), as well as in the past for Hamilton Operatic Society.
Kathryn Lauder
Kathryn is a music educator based in Rotorua, where she works from her home studio in Springfield and in local high schools. She gives piano lessons, accompanies local musicians, and creates online music courses. Kathryn studied piano and composition at the University of Auckland in the 1990s, graduating with a BMus (Hons, First Class). With over 30 years’ experience in music education, Kathryn has taught a wide range of students, led ensembles, and contributed to national assessment and curriculum work.
