Tim Bell – Chair

Tim is a Special Project Manager for Best Start Educare Limited, a social enterprise operating in early childhood education and a registered charity owned by Wright Family Foundation. His background is in accountancy and banking. He is a member of the Institute of Directors.

Tim has come a long way since he first started learning the recorder at age five with stints on mouth organ and ukulele, winning the odd colouring competition and learning piano. His musical background included violin, trumpet and culminated with French Horn for the Waikato Secondary Schools orchestra.

His early years gave him an affinity for the performing arts, music and artistic endeavour. Being a Trustee and Treasurer of Creative Bay of Plenty enables him to connect more with his love of the arts and give back to the community by supporting the Board with governance, accounting, banking and legal expertise.

Outside of work Tim enjoys fishing, mountain biking, water skiing, snow skiing and spending time with family. Married with two children, he has lived in the Bay of Plenty for 18 years.

Arpége Taratoa – Trustee

Arpége Taratoa joins us with an eclectic background in the field of the arts, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours) from Elam School of Fine Arts and a Post Graduate Diploma in Māori Visual Arts. She has worked with CBOP and Te Tuhi Mareikura Trust on a range of projects, Tauranga Art Gallery as a Curator and Educator, and has previously worked as a Lecturer at NZTC and Gallery Assistant at Auckland Art Gallery. Currently a Creative Director contracted to Wakatu inc, and practicing as a photographer in her spare time, Arpége has a passion for the arts sector and turning visions into reality.

Her motivation to be on the Board of Trustees is to advocate for and support Māori Practitioners in the Bay, as well as support creatives to create resilience and visibility in the sector.

Lindsay Price – Trustee

Lindsay is a strategic communications specialist, with experience in government relations, public policy, media relations and stakeholder management. She is a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand with an LLB from Otago University, and is currently completing her Masters in Future Technologies. Her previous roles include working in public policy in Washington DC, and six years in government relations for the Bank of New Zealand.

Her first love is performing arts, with a passion for drama and theatre. She is also a qualified Speech and Drama teacher.

Steve Graveson – Trustee

Steve is passionate for the arts and enjoys seeing the effect art and culture has in our communities. He is the Project Manager for Katikati Open-Air Art since 1999 and became President in 2009. Since 2005 Steve has also been heavily involved with the organisation of the New Zealand Mural & Art Festival also held in Katikati.

He has worked as the Property Manager at Katikati Primary School since 1999, and was involved on Waimata, Katikati Primary and Katikati College Board of Trustees for a number of years.

Steve enjoys time spent with his whānau, his paint brush and time away relaxing at his bach.

Marama Rice – Trustee

Bringing a dynamic blend of experience and expertise to the Board of Trustees, Marama Rice is an invaluable asset to Creative Bay of Plenty. With a background spanning hospitality, tourism, entertainment, finance, and education, Marama’s contributions are both diverse and impactful. With a career as a successful vocalist, entertainer, and songwriter, Marama brings a creative edge to the boardroom, and her passion for the arts fuels her dedication to Creative Bay of Plenty’s mission.

Being involved with a Marae-based bilingual early childhood education centre underscores Marama’s commitment to cultural appreciation and understanding. This perspective enriches the organisation’s objectives and initiatives aimed at promoting diversity.

Jennie Halliday – Trustee

Jennie Halliday brings a unique combination of creative arts experience to the sector. She lived in Chicago studying and teaching at Columbia College Chicago where she graduated with a BA in theatre and MFA in film/video and was a theatre performer and director during this time. She was General Manager of the school’s theatre department before returning to Aotearoa/New Zealand where she shifted her focus to arts and wellbeing. She has a MAAT (Master of Arts in Arts Therapy) from Whitecliffe College of Arts and Design and is a clinical arts therapist in private practice in Tauranga Moana.

Jennie is focused on improving mental health outcomes through participation in the arts. She is an advocate for spaces that recognise the barriers experienced by all peoples with poor mental health and experiences of trauma and wishes to promote full access to arts participation and the benefits for the whole person (mind, body and spirit.)

Jay Tihema – Trustee

Jay has a background in career and community development, collaborating across organisations to create opportunities for young people to thrive. He has worked in various education, industry and local government roles, and serves on multiple trusts and community groups all dedicated to this mission.

Jay believes fostering creativity is critical to transforming growth and education in society, and enjoys developing programmes, learning resources, strategies, and pathways in open source technology as part of his mahi. In his spare time, he hangs out with his kids to create art, music and anything related to hip-hop culture.