A group of Franklin locals out to make a difference.
Mike Marr
Board Chair
Mike Marr was born in Pukekohe and is a New Zealand entrepreneur, he and his wife Terese are the founders and owners of TPT Group, Mike holds a number of governance roles. Over 25 years Mike has led ten successful start-up companies and completed 15 acquisitions.
TPT Group comprises companies in the electronic security, data communications, information technology, security monitoring, innovation and artificial intelligence, finance, and commercial property sectors.
Starting his career as a young electrical apprentice, he holds qualifications in electrical trade, electrotechnology, an Advanced Dip. Business, Dip. Management, Dip. Integrated Risk Management and a Dip. Project Management.
In 2020, Mike was acknowledged as a Blake Leader Awardee. This prestigious award recognises inspirational New Zealanders whose leadership style has delivered high-impact results and contributed to a more sustainable future for Aotearoa.
2017, he was one of two Global recipients of the Beta Gamma Sigma Medallion of Entrepreneurship (the first recipient to be awarded the Global honour outside of the USA). In 2014, he was a finalist in the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Awards for NZ.
Mike is a Deputy Chair of electricity lines company Waipa Networks, a board member of The Runway Foundation, and an elected trustee of Counties Energy Trust who own the electricity lines company Counties Energy.
Previous governance roles have included being a member of the AUT University Business School Advisory Board, Chair of Rhema Media, and an Independent Director of Eqalis Pharmaceuticals.
Mike and wife Terese founded The Runway Foundation in 2015, a NZ Charitable Trust providing support for families and the community experiencing the challenge of ADHD. He is a strong believer in giving back and supports several charities and community initiatives including Lifewise, Community Food Banks and Crisis Funds.
He is also the founder if Innovation Franklin, a charity determined to position Franklin and New Zealand for the future.
Tracey Kay
Board Member
Born, raised and still residing in South Auckland, Tracey feels extremely fortunate that her life journey and career pathway has led her to a place now that enables her to contribute in many ways, beyond the traditional work-based activities her current role as GM Safety, Culture and Sustainability at Counties Energy suggests.
She believes opportunities are to be seized and seeks to awaken others to their true potential. Tracey is intensely passionate about assisting youth achieve their dreams through a supportive environment and creating opportunities. This passion, combined with over 20 years of involvement with the First Foundation, continues to be an inspiration to her and she feels humbled to be a supporting part of the journey for many wonderful youth.
A proud mother of two, Tracey says her own children are an inspiration, and she’s excited to view the path forged by them, and their peers, as they shape a fulfilling life and career in a world that is becoming excitingly more sustainable and socially aware.
John Gasson
Board Member
John is a successful entrepreneur and is the Managing Director of The Surveying Company, a significant engineering and surveying business based in Pukekohe. He’s well known in the Franklin area and is a passionate local.
His role leading The Surveying Company has seen him shaping the growth of the Franklin area.
He is a previous member of Entrepreneur’s Organisation.
Amanda Mills
Board Member
Amanda has over a decade of experience in senior leadership roles. She delivers improved performance for the organisations she works with, through focusing on strategy development, leadership effectiveness, operational efficiency, change management, and financial performance.
Currently, Amanda is a shareholding partner and CEO at In Your Corner. IYC is a consulting business, focused on using human centred design to help organisations address gaps between strategy and execution. She's also a mentor with Business Mentors New Zealand, a certified Life Coach, and NLP practitioner.
Amanda strongly believes that there is untapped potential in all of us, each of us has the ability to achieve, feel or experience far more than we initially believe is possible. "It is very easy to become constrained by our predictable future, especially because it’s usually quite comfortable there, but the world needs us to step outside of what we know, to create, to innovate and challenge the way we do things", she says.
Living in Pukekohe for over 16 years on a lifestyle block, Amanda loves all that this community has to offer, the connection to land and the adventure playground that's right on the doorstep (which she says just happens to be the perfect training ground for multisport).
Brendan Wood
Board Member
Brendan is a partner of Auckland law firm Daniel Overton & Goulding with a local office in Franklin. Daniel Overton & Goulding is a multi-award winning law practice.
He specialises in acquisitions, commercial law and commercial property.
He also holds various Independent Trustee roles as well as director roles. One of his recent roles included been an Independent Director of listed company Just Life Group and is an Independent Director of TPT Group. He is an alumnus of Entrepreneurs Organisation, a global support network of 14,000+ like-minded leaders across 61 countries.
Peter Fa’afiu
Board Member
Peter is a Partner in consulting intermediary, Navigator Limited. Peter’s diverse expertise, wide networks, and legacy of delivery provide an invaluable service to clients whether they be a small community group or charity or corporate entity.
Key areas of expertise include stakeholder engagement and management, risk management and mitigation, government/ local government relations, Iwi / hapu engagement / consultation, engagement with Pacific communities – diaspora in New Zealand and in Pacific Region.
Peter's current governance experience covers financial services, property development, social / transitional housing, human rights, education services, tenancy management and sports. He's a regular commentator on those issues in the media including a regular slot on RNZ's The Panel. He is a Member of the NZ Institute of Directors.
Peter is married to Paige and have a blended family of six kids. They reside in Pukekohe. Locally, Peter is an Independent Director of Counties-Manukau RFU, Chair of Bledisloe Park Society / Sports Centre, and Chairperson at St Patrick's Catholic Church.
Fran Oliver
Administration and Team Support
Fran is the newest addition to the Innovation Franklin team in the role of administrator and team support.
With a diverse administrative background spanning various industries, Fran brings an enthusiastic and dedicated attitude to the table. As a Franklin local, she is deeply passionate about the areas development and is excited to contribute her support to help the Innovation Franklin board achieve remarkable milestones.
As busy mum to two young boys, Fran is excited to witness Franklin transform into a thriving hub of opportunities. She envisions a place where her kids can explore opportunities for growth and success.
