NZWP Board
Alex Howieson - Board Chair
Alex was elected to the NZWP Board of Directors in March 2021 and commenced in the role of Chair in 2024. Alex’s corporate career spans a variety of industries including aviation, logistics, transport in an executive capacity inclusive of reporting to various Boards. Since moving to New Zealand, Alex has performed senior and leadership roles at Air New Zealand, Fletcher Building, Fonterra, Kiwibankand Sky TV. During her time in Australia, Alex most recently performed leadership roles at Broadspectrum and Qantas. Currently, Alex is a Partner at My Advisor consulting with mid market businesses in transition, shareholding, succession, mergers and growth strategy.
Alex has a lifelong passion for sport at all levels as a player, coach and administrator, and has a keen interest in diversity, inclusivity, grass roots sport growth and participation. Her governance experience includes being a Board Director of Netball South Australia including the Adelaide Thunderbirds franchise as members of Netball Australia and Priceline Stadium Adelaide South Australia.
Outside of work she is mum to Archie, 7 years, and as a family of two she finds herself most weekends on the side of a field at Soccer or rink at Ice Hockey or live sport events.
Megan Thomson - Deputy Chair
Megan was elected to the NZWP Board of Directors in 2018. Megan’s professional career has seen her be a professional coach in the USA college system for 11 years where she has experience working in high performance environments, creating programs and pathways. She was involved in some large-scale fundraising efforts in aid of Water Polo while in the USA. Since returning to New Zealand her career has seen her focus in Operations and Finance roles with a focus and passion on improving process, efficiency and problem solving and building high performing teams.
Megan has first-hand knowledge of the sport at a club, school, regional, national , high performance and international level having been actively involved in the sport for the last 34 years in many capacities, athlete, coach, administrator. Megan was a NZ representative athlete in all age groups Under 15, Schoolgirls, Under 20 and Senior Women . She went to the USA on a Water Polo Scholarship in 2000 and was inducted into the Hartwick College Hall of Fame in 2002. Following this she stayed in the USA and coached in two Division One College Programs as well as at a club level. Based in Wellington Megan is passionate about the regions and helping to create accessibility for our sport across the country. Currently a club coach for Hutt Water Polo and the NZ Women's Assistant Coach she brings vast Water Polo and High Performance knowledge to the board.
Rachel Cade - Board Director
Rachel was elected to the NZWP Board of Directors in 2022. Residing in Mount Maunganui (her hometown), she has been involved with water polo for over 10 years. Initially as parent help/volunteer, over time becoming more involved and eventually taking on the chairperson role at Tauranga Water Polo.
Professionally, Rachel is a Registered Nurse with a practice speciality in the Mental Health and Addictions sector. She is and has also been involved with governance in other areas in the community, such as schools and community social service and health organisations.
Rachel actively supports participation, growth access and inclusivity in sports (particularly water polo) and in her own chosen sport of Dragon Boat Racing and Waka Ama.
Mike Bignell - Board Director
Mike is an experienced sporting and business governor and professional. He thrives working with small teams with big ambitions but limited resources. He helps support and constructively challenge strategies and their execution to ensure the core objectives of the organisation and its stakeholders are being achieved.
Mike is currently a Partner at the Deep Tech Venture Firm, Outset Ventures having completed a 30 plus year career at PWC in June 2022, 19 years as a Partner. He has had a lifetime involvement in sport, from player, coach, administrator and governor from grass roots to high performance. Most recently he has been the Chair of Hockey New Zealand for over 5 years finishing that role in August 2023. His involvement in Water Polo has arisen through his kids which has given him the opportunity to become a real fan of the game and want to support its growth and evolution.
Fiona Oliver - Board Director
Fiona is a highly experienced director and holds governance roles that span several business sectors including transport, renewable energy, natural gas, technology, commercial property, sport, and financial services. Fiona was awarded the New Zealand Shareholders Association Beacon Award in 2021. This recognises outstanding performance in leadership and corporate governance.
Prior to having a governance career, Fiona held Executive leadership roles in financial services, with a focus on investment businesses. Before that, she practised as a senior corporate and commercial lawyer both in New Zealand. Fiona brings a unique background that combines managing businesses and professional technical skills and experience.
Fiona is passionate about sport and the role that it plays in providing children with essential life skills and maintaining healthy communities. Fiona was an amateur swimmer, swimming for Northland where she grew up. During school holidays, Fiona trained with the original North Shore Swimming Club when Lincoln Hurring was the squad coach.
Ruth Sio-Lokam - Board Director
Ruth is a Chartered Accountant and currently runs a boutique Chartered Accounting practice in Auckland. Her background in External Audit and Business advisory has helped her clients build capability and confidence around their understanding of the reporting standards, internal controls, financial management and strategic decisions particularly in the “For Purpose” sector. She brings this experience to the board table with her.
Ruth’s governance experience has seen her serve on various Boards including a number of registered charities, school boards, credit union and government appointed advisory trustee roles.
When she is not in the office or at the board table, you can usually find her carting her daughter around to her various sporting code training and games.
Sam Saxton - Board Director
Sam brings to the Board expertise across strategy, governance, technology and operating organisations at Scale. Sam developed his experience through operating & mentoring startups along with delivering transformation programs and developing a dynamic culture across teams. The common thread has been an ability to prioritise on high impact initiatives, accelerate decision making and unleash the organisations potential using scalable playbooks. Along the way, Sam has learnt some hard lessons as well as had the privilege of celebrating some great wins.
Sam was involved in performance sport across a number of codes including Surf Life Saving, Swimming and Waterpolo. Growing up with water sports in Christchurch, Sam played his first game for Wharenui Waterpolo Club when he was 11. He grew up through club, provisional and national team age groups representing New Zealand at U15, U16, Schoolboys, U20, University & Seniors at FINA World Championships; Rome (1994) & Perth (1998). Sam continues to play today with Patu’s Pirates, a Marist Club affiliate team, that showcases the depth of the Waterpolo community being made up by a collection of previous teammates from around New Zealand and the globe.
