Leadership
team

Stephen Town
Chief Executive

Stephen has held executive positions for over 20 years in tertiary education, local government, and transport. He is a former Chief Executive of Auckland Council.

Previous roles include leading the Franklin District and Tauranga City Councils, and Regional Director of the NZTA in Northland/Auckland.

His first chief executive role was at Wanganui Regional Community Polytechnic in 1994, making him the youngest CE in New Zealand at the time.

Dr Angela Beaton
DCE Delivery and Academic

Angela is an academic leader and researcher with a broad range of experience in the public sector. She has delivered large scale, academic innovations, collaborating with learners, industry, employers, researchers, communities, iwi, marae, Pacific leaders and education providers.

She has held academic and research leadership and governance roles in education, health, and research-based organisations. Prior to joining Te Pūkenga, she was GM National Women’s Health, Auckland DHB.

Tania Winslade
DCE Learner Journey and Experience

Tania (Ko Ngāti Awa te iwi. Ko Te Patuwai te hapū) joins
Te Pūkenga after an executive leadership role at Auckland Council. She has worked around the globe as an international commercial lawyer and in international development.

Since returning home, she’s held senior leadership roles that focus on supporting Māori and all New Zealanders to thrive, including in public law and policy, strategy, economic development, governance, people and organisational performance, and local government.

Warwick Quinn
DCE Employer Journey and Experience

Warwick is the CE of BCITO, Motor Trade Association and Registered Master Builders Association.

He has held the role of General Manager Regulatory in LINZ, and statutory positions of Valuer-General and Chief Crown Property Officer.

Warwick has worked in local authorities, multi-national property companies and banks. A registered valuer, he is past Chair of the Valuers Registration Board and a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Valuers and the Property Institute of NZ.

Ana Morrison
DCE Partnerships and Equity

Ana (Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Tūwharetoa) joins Te Pūkenga from the ITP sector and her previous role as Executive Director Strategic Partnerships & Māori Success at Toi Ohomai. She is an experienced executive leader and governor in both public and private sectors.

Ana holds law and science degrees and is an influential advocate for Tiriti excellence, equitable outcomes for Māori, and Aotearoa Inc.

Merran Davis
DCE Transformation and Transition

Merran has diverse public and private sector experience in teaching, research, executive leadership, complex collaboration, technology commercialisation, consulting and governance.

Prior to joining Te Pūkenga, Merran was Interim CE of Unitec, leading the institution’s turnaround in performance based on deep respect for people, shared values and Te Tiriti o Waitangi. She is passionate about lifelong learning, inclusion and supporting people and organisations to realise their potential.

Vaughan Payne
DCE Operations

Vaughan is from the Bay of Plenty iwi of Whakatōhea (Mataatua) and Ngāi Tai (Tainui). Prior to joining
Te Pūkenga he was CE of Waikato Regional Council, working to unlock the region’s growth potential while looking after its environment and people well.

He has helped lead national system improvements in planning and freshwater management and is a steering group member of He Waka Eke Noa Primary Sector Climate Action Partnership. Vaughan has experience in the public and private sectors.