Council

The PSNZ Council is a group of volunteers elected by the membership. The official tenure for the President and Vice President is two years, although the President may do an additional year, but no more than three.  The Immediate Past President has a tenure of one year. All Councillors can stand for re-election each year. The President and Vice President allocate portfolios of responsibility for each Councillor which is based on the Councillor having a particular skill set or expertise to enable the smooth running of the organisation.

Council appoints the positions of Treasurer and Secretary.

The current PSNZ Council members are:

President
Moira Blincoe LPSNZ
Auckland
e: president@photography.org.nz

The President is responsible for the Governance and is seen as the ‘face’ of the Society or the ‘go to person’.  In reality the President is the person who ensures the Society is moving forward, setting and meeting its objectives as defined in the Strategic Plan.  She is also responsible for maintaining harmony among members and affiliated clubs.  As President, Moira has overall responsibility of guiding the Councillors through the myriad of tasks and activities in each portfolio to ensure the Society delivers the services and benefits to members in each calendar year.

In her working life Moira worked as a consultant with a global career spanning over 25 years in communications, journalism and marketing.  Her career commenced in Calgary, Alberta, Canada following the completion of a degree in Public Relations and Journalism from Mount Royal University in Calgary.  She attributes her papers in Photojournalism that sparked her passion for photography and since then a camera has been a constant companion, not only in her career but also in her personal life. She has managed the communications and marketing for some enviable organisations and brands both in Canada and New Zealand.

Today Moira combines her love of photography with writing, travel, people, food and wine. She describes herself as a 'generalist' photographer but does enjoy portraiture, macro, travel photography and has most recently discovered the addiction to nature photography, particularly feathered species!

Moira is a member of the Auckland Photographic Society.

Vice President
Karen Lawton
Christchurch
e: vicepresident@photography.org.nz

As Vice President, Karen fulfills a number of roles, including Vice-Chair of the Finance and Audit committee and Vice-Chair of the Bylaws committee.  Karen is also the Councillor for Partnerships and Sponsors which involves developing and managing the relationships and agreements with the Society’s valued trade partners, as well as developing opportunities for new sponsorships. Karen is also responsible for developing the advertising and sponsorship for the Society’s flagship publication, NZ Camera.

Treasurer
Mark Lawson
Timaru
e: treasurer@photography.org.nz

The Treasurer's role is appopinted by the Council. Mark is responsible for all number related activities for every aspect of the Society. He liaises with the Clubs hosting any PSNZ event in establishing budgets and approving the same.  He liaises with the appointed Auditing company and ensures all required financial reporting related to Charitable Organisations is current and complete.

Mark was the founder of the Focus Aorangi Camera Club in Timaru some 35 years ago.  Today it is known as the Timaru Camera Club and having experienced and completed almost every committee role in the club, Mark is now its Patron.

Secretary
Patrice Nilsen
Kapiti Coast
e: secretary@photography.org.nz

The Secretary’s role is appointed by Council. Patrice is our ‘right hand’ woman of the Council.  She ably assists the President, Vice President and all Councillors with the administrative and reporting activities.   Patrice manages the preparation and documentation for each Annual General Meeting and ensures that all members are communicated with according to our legal requirements. She is often the eyes and ears for Society activities and ensures nothing falls through the cracks when Council activities are running hot.

Paul Whitham LPSNZ
Upper Hutt
e: paul@pwfotos.com

Paul Whitham is the editor and designer of the PSNZ by-monthly digital magazine, NZ CameraTalk. This includes liaison with all members, Council and Clubs to secure content and photographs to support the chosen theme, and liaises with our sub-editor, Linsday Stockbridge LPSNZ. As NZ CameraTalk is a magazine for members, Paul welcomes  contributions from all members.  He is particularly interested in hearing about member successes and club achievements. He is also the liaison Councillor for the NZ Camera editorial team.

Paul is a member of the Hutt Camera Club and his passion lies in making portrait images. He was the Chair of the organising committee for the successful 67th PSNZ national convention held in Lower Hutt in 2019.

Colin is the Councillor for Events which includes the national and regional conventions. In this capacity Colin is responsible for laising with and guiding the organising committees responsible for organising and hosting the annual national convention, and the regional convention.

Colin has over 40 years experience as an Information Systems and Business Change professional, with over 25 years as a management consultant and project manager. He has a diverse range of skills and experience that will allow him to guide the various committees through the minefields encountered when organising a PSNZ convention. Colin was Chair of the organising committee for the very successful 65th 2017 national convention, Photography on the Edge in Auckland.

Colin is a member of the Auckland Photographic Society.