Abbeyfield New Zealand
Abbeyfield New Zealand Incorporated is our national umbrella organisation, governed by a board of five elected by members. Abbeyfield houses are developed by Abbeyfield Properties, a subsidiary of Abbeyfield New Zealand.
Meet our board
Chairman: Simon Hayes – Wakatipu
Simon was born and grew up in the outback of Australia and has lived in New Zealand since 1974. He recently retired from a successful real estate career and has been actively involved in various community organisations in the Queenstown area over many years. He also served two terms as a Queenstown Lakes District Councillor.
He has been an Abbeyfielder since 1989, and was a member of the Abbeyfield Wakatipu establishment committee and chair of that group from 2002. The Abbeyfield House in Frankton opened in 2007. Simon has been an Abbeyfield NZ board member from 2014, and became chairman in July 2016.
Katrine Imrie – Palmerston North
Katrine is house manager for Abbeyfield Palmerston North. By profession she is a registered general and maternity nurse (retired). Until recently she was a director of Baywide Credit Union as well as a director of her own gift and event planning business; she is building manager of an apartment block.
Katrine holds several community and volunteer positions in Palmerston North, including chair of Neighbourhood Support, secretary of the Strive rehabilitation centre for head injury patients, and she is a Rotary club member. Katrine joined the board of Abbeyfield NZ in 2017.
Carole Parker – Katikati
Carole Parker has a background in community development, having worked in the field for many years in local government. She is now contracted to Exult – Helping Non-Profits Grow, providing mentoring for managers and team leaders and helping groups develop strategies to strengthen their organisations. Carole is currently chair of Abbeyfield Western Bay of Plenty and in the past has served on a variety of committees including as the chair of Taupo Age Concern.
Paul Bishop – Auckland
Paul has considerable governance and management experience, having enjoyed a long and successful career as a civil engineer and senior manager. He was chief executive of Bitumix and Envirowaste and New Zealand general manager of Excell Corp. He has also been a director of many companies and is a life member of Civil Contractors NZ and WasteMINZ. Paul has been the chairman of Abbeyfield Auckland since 2018 and joined the Abbeyfield NZ board in 2023.
Robert Bruce – Christchurch
In 2021 Robert Bruce was co-opted on to the Abbeyfield New Zealand board which is benefitting from his extensive experience in risk management. Robert is currently a consultant and previously worked for Arrow International and Solid Energy in risk and assurance manager roles. Prior to that he worked for 35 years with the Shell Oil Group in New Zealand and the UK, in roles such as Corporate Assurance Manager and Supply Chain Improvement Executive. Robert says he agreed to join the Abbeyfield board because he is keen to share his experience.
Ruth Seabright – Nelson
Executive Officer (non voting) Abbeyfield New Zealand Inc
Company Secretary – Abbeyfield Properties Ltd
Secretary – Abbeyfield Foundation Charitable Trust (non voting)
Ruth joined Abbeyfield New Zealand as Executive Officer in July 2024. She has an extensive background in the not-for-profit sector and a wealth of business and entrepreneurial experience. She has held a variety of leadership roles across the health care, environment/conservation and education sectors. Ruth has a Master of Business Administration from Massey University.