During 2016 the North Harbour Club made great strides in the overall administration of the club. When our highly respected young GM Courtney Jackson resigned in March/April the club advertised for a replacement and ended up settling on a dual role due to the high calibre of two applicants. Subsequently, Christie Parkin (Events and Administration) and Peter White (Sponsorship, Membership and AIMES Applications) were engaged look after these specific areas. They started in May. Both Christie and Pete are passionate locals who work tirelessly for the club. For this issue of Northside we thought we would put some questions to them so members and readers could learn a little more about them and their respective roles.
ABOUT CHRISTIE: Christie Parkin moved to the East Coast Bays from Hibiscus Coast while a student at Rangitoto College. After school she travelled all around the world and spent most of her time in the US after working as a Camp Counsellor at a Summer Camp. She has a strong CV having worked at North Harbour Stadium (on North Harbour Club events); looking after sponsorship and events for the Vodafone Warriors; in tourism managing sales for AJ Hackett Bungy; then in to the business development and marketing for the Maritime Museum in the Viaduct. She says she feels like she has come full circle working with the North Harbour Club back in her home patch again!
ABOUT PETER: Peter White will be well known to most. He has been a long-time member of the club and served as a trustee for a decade. He has also been an AIMES judge and a sponsor which means he is well equipped for the role. Pete first qualified as a PE teacher (Otago University) and taught for 10 years at Selwyn and Long Bay College’s. He was GM for a chain of gyms throughout New Zealand for five years before opening Beachside Health Club in Browns Bay, which he and wife Jayne owned for 24 years. He has always had an interest in local politics and affairs and was a North Shore City councillor and East Coast Bays local board member and has been involved in town centre rejuvenation spending eight years as the GM of the Takapuna Beach Business Association and a further year establishing the Henderson Lincoln Business Association. Peter has had a lifetime involvement in Rugby as a player, a strength and conditioning coach (Auckland; NZ Rugby League; Harbour Rugby, Chiefs and Barbarians Rugby; as well as working with the All Blacks in their preparation for the 1995 Rugby World Cup). For many years he has been a liaison officer with international rugby teams touring New Zealand (he has the job for the upcoming 2017 British and Irish Lions). Most recently he has been managing the successful North Harbour Rugby Mitre 10 Cup side.
NORTHSIDE: You guys obviously love the region, Why?
CHRISTIE: What’s not to love!? The beaches, the cafes, the parks and playgrounds, so much to do right on our doorstep. I think sometimes we forget just how lucky we are to live in a place like this.
PETE: I love the lifestyle of the North Harbour region – marvellous beaches and parks, great hospitality, the close knit caring community, outstanding education providers, and the safe environment. I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else!
NS: Tell us about your families.
CHRISTIE: My partner Greg and I have a daughter, Ellie. She will be two in March this year and is currently running circles around us, but she makes us laugh every single day!
PETE: I am married to Jayne and between us we have four children (and their partners) and six grandchildren whom provide us with constant pleasure.
NS: What do you guys love doing in your leisure time?
CHRISTIE: Heading to the beach – swimming, paddle boarding or just taking the dog for a run around.
PETE: Spending time with friends and family; training (swimming, cycling, paddling, gym); travel; wine and food; reading.
NS: You are both dedicated and passionate about your roles. What do you particularly like about what you do for the North Harbour Club?
CHRISTIE: I love the variety of events. It is incredibly interesting organising a corporate fundraising lunch one day, networking events for our members and AIMES alumni, the black tie Business Hall of Fame Awards, right through to the year round planning for the AIMES Awards Gala Dinner. Everyone is so passionate and it gives you a real buzz when the guests enjoy themselves at our events, and to see our Alumni performing on stage.
PETE: Working with like-minded people who really care about the North Harbour region and are committed to assisting our extremely talented youth become the best they can be, future leaders and role models to the next generation. It is a real privilege to meet applicants and then to watch the careers of winners. They are outstanding young men and women.
NS: Do you guys have a North Harbour Club goal for 2017?
CHRISTIE: I would love to continue working with the committees on the calibre and variety of events – ensuring we are offering our members excellent opportunities to meet and be engaged throughout the year. I would also love to crack the 200 mark for applications for AIMES Awards this year!
PETE: To ensure members feel welcome, embrace our ethos, participate fully in all activities and as a consequence enhance our ability to assist the youth of the North Shore achieve excellence. Also to strengthen relationship with sponsors, identifying opportunities to recognise further the valuable contribution they make.
NS: Would you have got an AIMES Award in your younger years?
CHRISTIE: Haha – no, probably not! I was too busy travelling the world and meeting different people. The AIMES winners (and applicants) are a very impressive bunch and it makes me think I should have done more in my younger years!
PETE: About as much chance as winning lotto!
NOTE: Christie is engaged to work around 30-35 hours per week for the club and these hours vary according to events schedules etc. She is in the club office (located at Davenports Harbour Lawyers) most work days. Pete is engaged to work 10-20 hours a week and is very much a roving worker for the club. He fits the role in to other work he does, mainly in rugby.
Contact: Christie@northharbourclub.co.nz or peter@northharbourclub.co.nz
