The Club
Committee & Board Members

Akarana Board 2024-2025

JUSTINE O'CONNELL - BOARD CHAIR

A member of Akarana since 2014, Justine served as Weekend Women's Vice Captain before being elected to the board in 2018.

She is originally from mid-Canterbury, and has played a wide variety of sports including representative hockey.

Justine has a law degree from University of Canterbury, and is a director of a small business consultancy - Teesdale Associates Ltd.

GRAHAM STANAGE - PRESIDENT

I have been a member of Akarana Golf Club since 1999 – joining shortly after my arrival in New Zealand from UK. I have been involved in the Construction and Property Industry for over 30 years - currently a Director with project management consultancy RCP. 
 
I have had the opportunity to serve on the Board for eight years (2009-2017) with four of those years in the role Chairman. As such I have developed an extensive understanding of the workings of the Club.
 
As we look forward to and plan a bright future for the Club, we need to carefully meld our way forward with the traditions that have allowed the Club to flourish to the strong position it currently holds today. I believe the Club’s priority should always remain on what we offer our members and our guests. 
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CALVYN WILSON - CLUB CAPTAIN

I joined the military at 17 straight out of school it taught me structure, discipline, teamwork and comradery. I served my community as a Police officer that position installed in me integrity, patience, humility, courage, fortitude and the ability to communicate with people from all walks of life. I am currently an operations manager in the construction industry, a position I have held for 7 years. It has sharpened my skills in management, problem solving, strategy and leadership.

When I first walked into Akarana it was finals day of the club championships and there was an energy at the club that you felt straight away. I knew immediately that this was where I would play my golf. Starting on a 33 handicap away I went. Along the way I have managed to win the C grade champs, Age group champs, Dews Cup, Gold Cup, Kieth Hay cup and the inaugural Kidney Kids tournament. I have represented Akarana in the handicap pennants teams and spare headed the inclusion of the Pacifica Moana team into the 4 nations tournament,

As Club Captain I bring a love of the game, passion for the club, energy and enthusiasm for the role,

Together I believe we can elevate the club’s sprite, culture and success, fostering a welcoming and competitive environment we can all be proud of.

PAUL GRACE - BOARD DIRECTOR

Paul joined Akarana in 1995, shortly before his wife Wendy also joined. He previously held the position of Vice Captain for two years, and was first elected to the board in 2013, then re elected in 2015 and again in 2017. He is chairman of the Course Committee, which has been a busy role as the club drives major improvements to the drainage, bunkers, and trees.

In business for thirty years owning and operating a Building and Civil Construction company, he formed (and now manages) his own Commercial Real Estate Company.

Paul is a regular on Saturdays, leading a fine body of men affectionately known as 'the Marist Boys'.

MURRAY HEALEY - BOARD DIRECTOR

Originally from Palmerston North, I spewnt much of the mid to late 1980's living and working in the UK and Europe. Returning to NZ in 1993, I first joined Akarana in the mid 1990's before becoming a full playing member in 2000.

I have a business degree (Accountancy) from AUT Auckland with majority of my working life being a CFO of an Insurance company based in New Zealand and Australia. 

I am a very proud member of this club and committed participant of the Roger's Army. With a bit more time on my hand, I would like to contribute to a greater degree wherever I can at my Club. 

STEVE WEBBY - BOARD DIRECTOR

Steve has been a member at Akarana since 2000 and was first elected as Club Captain in 2010 serving for two years and returning to that role for 2018. He has now relinquished his Captain duties this year and been elected as a Board Director.

Steve spent seven years at St Peter's College before going on to study accountancy in which he completed half the papers towards the ACA before moving to Papua New Guinea for 5 years to take up a contract with the local domestic airline.

Steve returned from PNG to work as an accountant in the road transport industry for five years before buying a small car valet operation in 1999.

Steve hovers around a 9 - 10 (another Tui's advert there) handicap and claims his only achievement at Akarana was winning the Summer Cup with Arthur Brown years ago. But that is not actually true as Steve has won the coveted Intermediate division club championship so despite recent form has some golfing pedigree. An old hand at organising national and international golf trips Steve's understanding of golf administration is a key strength he offers to the role.

 

Captains Committee 2024-2025

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CALVYN WILSON - CLUB CAPTAIN

I joined the military at 17 straight out of school it taught me structure, discipline, teamwork and comradery. I served my community as a Police officer that position installed in me integrity, patience, humility, courage, fortitude and the ability to communicate with people from all walks of life. I am currently an operations manager in the construction industry, a position I have held for 7 years. It has sharpened my skills in management, problem solving, strategy and leadership.

When I first walked into Akarana it was finals day of the club championships and there was an energy at the club that you felt straight away. I knew immediately that this was where I would play my golf. Starting on a 33 handicap away I went. Along the way I have managed to win the C grade champs, Age group champs, Dews Cup, Gold Cup, Kieth Hay cup and the inaugural Kidney Kids tournament. I have represented Akarana in the handicap pennants teams and spare headed the inclusion of the Pacifica Moana team into the 4 nations tournament,

As Club Captain I bring a love of the game, passion for the club, energy and enthusiasm for the role,

Together I believe we can elevate the club’s sprite, culture and success, fostering a welcoming and competitive environment we can all be proud of.

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JONATHAN CROUCHER - VICE CAPTAIN

Jono joined Akarana in 2021 after moving to Auckland, previously playing his Golf in Northland. Jono has been a member of the Akarana committee since February 2024 and is actively involved in Pennants and club activities.

Jono is an Interactive Producer at FCB Aotearoa, a major advertising company looking after NZ's national carrier, major supermarkets and hardware stores. He brings with him strong Digital, Marketing and Project Management experience. 

 

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RICHIE KIBBLEWHITE - CAPTAINS COMMITTEE

Richie joined Akarana in October 2021 and quickly became immersed in the culture of the club, playing for the Men’s pennants teams and as many club events as possible each year since.

Richie is a Wellingtonian, so you’ll see him paying more attention to the wind vane on the 1st hole than anyone else.

Professionally, Richie is involved in analytics and insights from an economics and business credit perspective at a major bank. With nearly 15 years of domestic and international experience in finance and relationship management, he brings a unique set of skills to the captains committee: an acute eye for detail and a friendly, approachable demeanour.

Golf mad – You will find him around the club at least a few times a week, either testing a replacement for a club that ‘just isn’t suited to his swing’ or upstairs in the bar watching the members close out their round on the 18th.

 

BARBARA JEPSON - WOMENS CAPTAIN

Barbara was elected to the position of Vice Captain Weekday Women in 2013, and then has held the position of Women's Captain since 2014 to date.

In 2017, Barbara was elected as Pennant Convenor, within the Auckland Women's Management Commitee, at Auckland Golf Inc.