About Guardians of Claudelands
Meet your elected committee
Guardians of Claudelands has elected former Hamilton deputy Mayor Gordon Chesterman as its first chair.
Here we profile the seven committee members elected at the October 2 public meeting at The Link in Te Aroha Street, attended by 80 residents, including a co-opted member.
Gordon Chesterman, MNZM
Resident River Road 36 years. Former deputy Mayor six years, city councillor total 12 years, Freedom Holder of City, former Government appointed chair of Waikato Institute of
Technology and Honorary Fellow, Rtd Fellow I.0.D., former national president Public Relations Institute of NZ and Life Member, former director roles at Waikato District Health
Board, Hamilton Airport, Waikato Rugby Union, Waikato Chamber of Commerce, Radio Tainui, Waikato-Tainui College for Research and Development, holder of a Kiingitanga Medal, The
Order of Te Atarangikaahu. Lived and worked for 10 years in the United States, Fiji Islands and Australia. Public relations adviser to Fiji Government’s tourism office for 20 years. Born, educated in Hamilton, Whitiora Primary, Maeroa Intermediate, HBHS.
Julie Hardaker
Julie has lived in Claudelands for over 30 years. She is a lawyer and operates her own law firm based in Hamilton. She has an Honours degree in Law and a Masters in Management (Hons). Julie also serves as a director on government, local government and not for profit boards and is Chair of Governance New Zealand, Women On Boards and Orchestras Central Trust, and is deputy chair of Bay Venues. Julie was the Mayor of Hamilton from 2010-2016.
Phillippa Milroy
Primary School Teacher for 30+ years. Resident in Claudelands for 17 years. Married to my lawyer husband Mark Milroy (Ngai Tuhoe) with whom we have two children attending local schools. Actively involved in coaching cricket and football and a member of the Seddon Cricket Club. No previous experience in Local Body politics but passionate about education and preserving the heritage nature of Claudelands.
Louise Allan
Wellington born, lived both Wellington and Auckland for many years. Spent over three years working in a law office in Auckland then qualified as a Legal Executive (AUT). Worked in banking for ten years both Auckland and Wellington. Worked part-time in Auckland for an employment lawyer. In 2014 studied at Open Polytechnic for my Real Estate Salesperson Licence. Moved to Waikato 2017. Resident of River Road since February 2021. Continue to be self-employed Real Estate Salesperson.
Matt Keen
Matt was born and raised in Hamilton, attending Glenview Primary School, Melville Intermediate and Melville High School. Matt has a long association and love of Claudelands, having several flats in the suburb in his twenties, then later purchasing a home with his family seven years ago. A love of character homes and renovation projects attracted him to their latest Claudelands property. Matt is a small business owner, owning a bike shop for 15 years, and prior to that working for many years in the
cycle industry. He has worked as the New Zealand Mountain Bike team mechanic and founded ‘Fog City Cyclocross’ running Cyclocross races
during the season for the past seven years. Matt is passionate about the
preservation of Hamilton’s character suburbs and loves character buildings.
Kiri Crossland
Kiri is a sustainable transport planner living and working in Kirikiriroa Hamilton. She is also a current trustee of Go Eco the Waikato Environment Centre and chair of the Waikato branch of the NZPI Emerging Planners. Kiri attended Hamilton schools Southwell and Waikato Diocesan, and as a teenager was the Youth Parliament MP for Hamilton West. Kiri gained a Bachelor of Environmental Planning from the University of Waikato and is currently working towards a Master of Environmental Planning, while also working as a consultant in the transport sector.
Darryl Ward
Born and raised in Hamilton Darryl attended Te Rapa School, Fraser High and Waikato University where he gained a Law degree (LLB). Post University Darryl lived in Auckland where he met his wife Jo. Darryl has held a number of finance roles with national and international companies and spent a large amount of his working life in the motor industry. Both Darryl and Jo, along with their two children have lived in Claudelands for 4 years, a year of which was spent renovating their near 100 year old house. Darryl is a member of Wanderers Football club. He enjoys walking their two dogs around the stunning river paths.
Bill McMaster
Bill has lived in character homes in Hamilton for 40 years and in River Road, Claudelands, for the past 5 years. The McMasters have recently renovated their character villa. Supporter of the Claudelands heritage area, Bill strongly believes that it must be protected for future generations from inappropriate development. He is a Civil engineer/planner with a 30-year career in regional and urban transport planning. Past member NZ Planning Institute and Institute of Professional Engineers. Current Chairman of the Waikato Council of the NZ Automobile Association. Previous Board of Trustees member of Hamilton West School.