About the New Zealand Rowing Foundation

Trustees

Our current trustees are:

John Bodie (Chair)
Dan Houghton
David Meates
Gerald Dwyer
Greg Ball
Jane Davel
Kerri Williams
Mat Jensen

Secretary

Teresa Terry
P: 07 823 4587
E: teresa@rowingnz.kiwi

John Bodie - Chair

John rowed for Hamilton Boys High School in several Maadi Cups. John’s main sport, however, has been Rugby Union and John has represented NZ Schools in consecutive years (capt), NZ Under 21’s and NZ Universities. John also represented North Harbour, Wellington and Waikato at first class level. Following retirement from Rugby, John has been involved in road cycling and ocean swimming. John’s career included roles in management and marketing and since 2004 financial advisory.

John has been actively involved in philanthropy and served on the Boards of several for purpose organisations spanning youth development, faith based and the NZ Rowing Foundation over the last 3 years.

John lives at Lake Karapiro and is motivated to support rowing and the Foundation's beneficiaries. John is very grateful for the opportunity to support the Foundation in a time where the sport requires funding to support the athletes to achieve their dreams

Dan Houghton

Dan Houghton is a strategy advisor to founders and boards of high-growth companies.

He has held senior positions at global technology firms and startups, including Google and Xero, spanning strategy, operations, and risk.

He returned to New Zealand after 15 years in San Francisco, New York, and London. He lives in Auckland with his wife and three children, volunteering with Auckland Land Search & Rescue and Point Chevalier Athletics.

Through the New Zealand Rowing Foundation, he is excited to help grow rowing's impact for future generations. The sport was instrumental in his own development, and the erg in his garage continues to get the better of him each week.

Greg Ball

Greg Ball began rowing at Hamilton Boys’ High School before progressing to premier level with the Waikato Rowing Club. In 1973 he was selected for New Zealand’s first Junior Men’s Eight, competing at the World Junior Championships in Nottingham. He later rowed in the New Zealand Colts Eights in 1974 and 1975 and was named a non‑travelling reserve for the 1976 Montreal Olympic squad.

Greg remained active in rowing through Masters competition and contributed significantly to sports administration. He served as Secretary and Committee Member of the Waikato Rowing Club, where he is now a Life Member, and helped establish the Mangakino Water Sports Camp Incorporated.

Professionally, Greg founded a nationwide property advisory business in the mid‑1990s and has since been based in Wellington. He holds multiple directorships, is a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors, and is a Fellow and past President of the Property Institute of New Zealand.

In 2024, Greg was elected as a Trustee of the New Zealand Rowing Foundation

Kerri Williams

Kerri Williams is a former New Zealand international rower and Olympic medallist who represented New Zealand from 2013 to 2024. During her career, she won Olympic gold, silver and bronze medals, five World Rowing Championship titles and held three world records. She was also a recipient of the 2019 World Rowing Crew of the Year award and was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) in 2022.

Kerri is currently Territory Manager for Cardrona Distillery and is based in Cambridge. She remains closely connected to rowing and is passionate about supporting athletes, strengthening rowing communities and contributing to the future development of the sport.

In 2026, Kerri was appointed a Trustee of the New Zealand Rowing Foundation.

Mat Jensen

Mat Jensen began rowing as a coxswain at Auckland Grammar School and Auckland Rowing Club, before moving into coaching at North Shore Rowing Club, where he is now President.

He has contributed to rowing administration at every level of the sport, serving as Chair of the Auckland Rowing Association and Chair of the Auckland Regional Performance Centre. He is currently Chair of Rowing New Zealand.

Professionally, Mat is Chief Actuary at Ando Insurance and has held a number of senior roles across the New Zealand insurance industry, specialising in pricing and risk.

Through the New Zealand Rowing Foundation, Mat is focused on building the long-term financial base that allows Rowing in New Zealand to flourish, and on ensuring the sport that shaped him is there for the next generation.

He remains an active coxswain, still racing competitively.

David Meates MNZM

David, who was appointed to the Board of Rowing New Zealand in 2025, brings extensive governance and senior leadership experience across health, community, sport, and environmental sectors.

He previously served as Chief Executive of Rowing New Zealand from 2022 to 2024, rebuilding organisational confidence, strengthening stakeholder trust, and supporting podium success at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

David is an INSEAD-certified director and a Member of the Institute of Directors New Zealand.

A lifelong supporter of rowing, David is committed to strengthening the sport’s performance pathway, culture, and long-term sustainability in Aotearoa.

Jane Davel

Jane has served as a Trustee of the Foundation since 2022, when chairing the Rowing New Zealand board.

An independent non‑executive director, Jane has served on boards for the past ten years, including government boards and a range of NFP boards across multiple sectors.

Having benefited from rowing at school and university, Jane views this role as a meaningful way to give back to the sport.

Jane is a member of the Institute of Directors in New Zealand and the Australian Institute of Company Directors.