Board Members

DAVID DARBY - CHAIRPERSON

I have been living in this wonderful community since marrying a local girl (Mary Hamilton) in 1986 and farmed in partnership with her parents until we became a separate entity in 1996. My sporting interest is Tennis, and I had the pleasure of being involved with the construction of the magnificent new astroturf facility which opened in 2009. I joined the Board in 2010 and was elected Secretary in 2012, before Biddy Tully took on that role last year and I moved into the Chairman’s seat. As the longest serving current Board member, I’m always mindful of the fact that there are other, younger members with the necessary skills to take the club to the next level when they are ready to take on governance roles. I have no doubt in my mind that our club and the Pōrangahau community at large will be very well served in future. In my view the Board system works well, with dedicated members who have the best interests of the Country Club always at the forefront of their decision making. As with all Boards and committees, everyone has their own views, which is expected and welcomed. We operate democratically and can enjoy robust discussions at times, but always reach a consensus. I am mindful of those who have gone before us and the amazing legacy left by the founders of the Country Club. The club’s 50th Jubilee last September demonstrated the enormous influence the club has had on the lives of several generations of members and their families. It is my fervent hope that the same can be said of the next 50 years. It is a privilege and an honor for me to serve the club and its members.

BRIDGET TULLY-SECRETARY

I have lived in Pōrangahau most of my life so I have a strong connection to our community. My whānau have had a long history with our club. I love to see our club thriving and people enjoying playing sports, creating and socialising in our isolated coastal setting. Our club is unique and I am passionate about ensuring it continues to thrive. I have been in education for 34 years, 19 of those in a leadership role. I am currently the Principal of Takapau School in Central Hawkes Bay. I am also the Ruahine Kāhui Ako Lead Principal (across all CHB Schools). These roles have helped me to gain a sound understanding of leadership and governance. I joined the PCC Board in 2022. I am the Board liaison for the Arts and Bowls clubs and currently Board Secretary. I like to play bowls in my spare time and walk our beautiful beach Te Paerahi.

Ngā mihi Biddy

TOM STODDART

I was born and raised in Pōrangahau, where I now run our family sheep and beef farm with my wife and our two sons. I’m passionate about sport and community involvement. I coach junior rugby, play tennis, and became a member of the Porangahau Country Club Board in 2024. I also joined the tennis committee, where I now serve as the board representative. I value the role clubs like ours play in bringing people together and providing a space for connection and activity across all ages. I’m excited to support the Pōrangahau Country Club as a board member and look forward to contributing a practical, community-focused perspective to help keep the club strong for the years ahead

DAVID MOORE

My career has been as varied as it has long, and I believe I can truly state I was educated in the university of life. My Dad always said, “do it right once; the first time” and that mantra held me true through 33 years in the NZ gambling industry from 1 April 1988 when it was legalised in NZ and beyond. For the past three years I have been employed by Patton Engineering. This role with Patton’s was a new one and as such it touches health and safety, human resource, estimating, purchasing, document management, contracts management, customers and sales, QS analysis, inventory, production control, scheduling, time sheeting, invoicing, training, IT and reporting, all in an effort to drive and improve efficiencies, productivity, and visibility across the entire company. I enjoy most sports (from the couch nowadays), fishing (well, feeding fish!), my kids (most of the time), two grandchildren (the future), sharing food and wine, time with my wife (not working) and waking up every morning with the enthusiasm to face a new day of challenges and the satisfaction of achieving those at the end of that day. I have been a Board member since 2022 and for me that contribution is a way of paying forward the way Julie and I were embraced and welcomed into this community four years ago.

Mā mua ka kite a muri, mā muri ka ora a mua

(Those who lead give sight to those who follow, those who follow give life to those who lead)

ROB HOBSON​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

I am a farmer in the Flemington District. I have been President of the Pōrangahau Golf Club 2022/2023 and Club Captain prior to that. I am a member of the Pōrangahau Golf Committee. I have also been President of Mt Nessing Golf Club and in that time we celebrated our 50th Jubilee and rebuilt our clubhouse. I have also had a number of other leadership roles in my time which all contribute to the experience I bring to this Board. MacKenzie A and P Show President, Albury School BOT for 6 years, two of those as Chairperson and Rakaia Squash Club Committee during the building and then running of the club.

ISLA PAGET

I have been living in the Pōrangahau community for 29 years after having moved with my husband Steve and family back to the farming operation in 1996. In the early years tennis was my chosen sport and I was treasurer for tennis for a few years. Now I am involved in tennis, golf ( Pōrangahau Ladies Golf Captain - 2007/2006 and HB Golf Zone Rep from 2007/2008) and bowls, so have a vested interest in the future of this club which is what brought me to being on the Board.

I look forward to being part of the present Board team and to help guide the Pōrangahau Country Club to continue to be the thriving community facility which we are so proud of.

BEN ANDERSEN

Kō Te Awaputahi tōku maunga

Kō Taurekaitai tōku awa

Kō Te Paerahi tōku moana

Kō Ngāti Kere and Ngāti Pihere ōku hapū

Nō Pōrangahau ahau

I have been a part of the Pōrangahau community all of my life and have been living in Pōrangahau for the last 5 years. My sporting passion is golf and I am currently the men’s club captain and the Board representative for fishing and golf.

I am a qualified and licenced builder and alongside my wife and two boys I currently run my own building business and we own and operate the local NZ Post rural service delivery to this area. I like to see myself as a “doer” and enjoy getting projects done around the club. I joined the Board in 2023 with the vision of improving our facilities and surroundings with a big focus on improving our golf course which is oozing with potential.

I love seeing our club thrive and really enjoy seeing the youth coming through with passion and great ideas that will see our club continue to thrive in the future. I am excited to be part of our club's growth and improvements.