I am the proud parent of four past MAGS students (as well as being the daughter of a MAGS old boy) and have spent the last 6 years contributing in every way I possibly can to the school while on the board. I am currently Board Chair as well as sit on the finance committee.
I have had the privilege, along with the rest of the current Board, of supporting Pat Drumm and his senior leadership team to over the past 6 years – to ensure the students’ education and wellbeing were at the heart of all decisions made. Some of the key achievements during this time that I am proud of being involved in include welcoming our first female boarders with the opening of Centennial House in Lloyd Ave, the building and opening of the new science block, the ongoing annual increase in improvements in NCEA results across all groups within the school and the recent celebrating our 25 years of girls at the school.
I am seeking re-election so that I can continue to positively contribute to this great school at a very exciting time both now and into the future. I would like to be involved in helping bring to life some of the projects and ongoing improvements that that have been proposed with the passion I have brought to the school over the past 3 years.
When I am not involved in the school activities, being busy with my family and immersing myself in my passion for cooking, I work full-time as a senior manager in the corporate sector.

Melissa Absolum

My partner, Paul Leuluso’o, and I have four children. Our eldest son attended Mount Albert Grammar School (MAGS), finishing in 2022. Our second son is currently in Year 10, and our daughter will start at MAGS next year. The MAGS staff and community played a significant role in shaping our eldest into the confident young man he is today, and we are immensely proud of him.
I have served on the MAGS Board as Chair of the Education Sub-committee, a member of the Property Committee, and as part of the MAGS Rūnanga. I am keen to continue this mahi and contribute to the Board for another term.
My professional background is in education. I am the Deputy Principal at Māngere East School and have taught for 23 years in Aotearoa, including two years teaching in England. Service has always been important to me, and I have been involved in various committees over many years. I have a passion for the Arts and all things Māori. As part of the Auckland choral scene, I sing in two choirs, one local and one national, the Voices New Zealand Chamber Choir.
My motivation for standing for the Board comes from a desire to support the schools my children attend. I bring experience as a mentor, coach, and collaborator. I am motivated, organised, and committed to helping all students experience success. I believe strongly in high expectations, creating positive opportunities, and ensuring every student receives the best education possible so they can strive for excellence. Our young people are the future of Aotearoa, and I am passionate about seeing them thrive.
I look forward to continuing to work alongside school leadership and my fellow board members to ensure Mount Albert Grammar remains a high-quality school, not just for my children, but for all who walk through its gates now and in the years to come.

Nigel Cottle

I’ve called Morningside home for 17 years and I’m committed to seeing our neighbourhood — and our school — thrive. I helped start Crave Café, which returns all of its profits to local projects, and founded Morningcider to give Morningside something to be proud of.
I also co-founded Common Good Coffee, a venture that helps spark good in places facing extreme poverty and modern slavery.
I’m married to Cathie and we have three daughters — one is in Year 10 — so I’m deeply invested in the everyday experience of our students, teachers and whānau.
Running social enterprises has given me practical governance skills: building and managing budgets, leading diverse teams, setting strategy, and measuring impact. I believe schools benefit when they blend heart and head — care for people alongside clear goals and accountability.
Outside work you’ll find me on a bike, judging wine and cider, snowboarding, exploring the world, or in a long kōrero with people who want to make life better for others. I’m passionate about enterprises that do social good and still turn a profit — because sustainability matters.
I’d love to bring that same mix of community focus, commercial sense and optimism to our Board.

Tui Gallagher

I have lived in Mount Albert for over 30 years.
I have raised my family of four daughters, and nephews and nieces who have travelled and still travel the pathway through MAGS.
I am fortunate to have been a co-opted and elected member to the Board of Trustees, and the current member of the MAGS Runanga.
The Runanga was established to provide a voice for Māori, directly into the Senior management team, and has been highly effective in this role, evidenced in the Strategic Plan and the academic results of our tamariki.
This Runanga has assisted effective governance and partnership for Māori. Prior to being at MAGS, I was on the Board of Trustees at Gladstone Primary for nine years.
I have worked in the social services sector and am a registered Social Worker, working with our vulnerable communities. I have sat at the table of governance for MAGS for many of the 20 years that I have been involved with the School.
I have been humbled to be able to be a voice for our Māori community especially, but also for the wider school community. I believe I am an effective member of the Board, and can continue to be an effective parent representative because I remain connected to the school, and the wider community.
Like all parents, I want our tamariki to be good global citizens, leading the conversations on diversity and tolerance, practising the MAGS way in everyday life through manākitanga, aroha, hauora and  rangatiratanga.
I look forward to continuing to serve the Community, that I am proud to live in

Duncan Garner

I’m the father of a current Year 10 boy at MAGs.
I am a broadcaster/journalist and have worked across the media for the past 30 years, including 17 years in Parliament as a political journalist. I was the Political Editor for Three News, and after escaping that madhouse alive I became a talkback host for RadioLIVE. I currently host the Editor in Chief podcast and write for the NZ Herald and The Listener.
I believe a school needs strong governance and MAGS has been led well at Board level. I also believe we are at a serious crossroads in society right now with technology, AI, and a fast-moving economy all coming together to make it not just the most exciting time to be alive, but one that also presents the most challenges.
That’s why we need to prepare our teenagers for jobs that are not here yet and we need to keep our school relevant and inspiring. So we must keep challenging the status quo. We must ask is this the best we can do – or should we try another approach?
I believe strongly in the cellphone ban in schools and strongly believe we need to ban social media for those under 16s. This will happen before the next election. MAGS is a high-achieving school that offers so much. It’s also got a proud history that should always part of the wider story. I want to see it continue to win and achieve on and off the sports field, in our classrooms, on the stage and out in the community. I want our young teenagers to proud of attending this school.
We are a school that continues to grow rapidly and that comes with its own challenges and I will always fight for our school to get its fair share of resources.
I am always around the school and consider myself to be really approachable and available and I would hope anyone with any concerns or suggestions or ideas or feedback makes themselves known to me so your voice, ideas and suggestions will be taken seriously and become part of the wider discussion.

Aiolupotea Ofisa Tonu’u

My family has proudly been part of the MAGS whānau since 2012. Six of our seven children have attended Mount Albert Grammar, and our youngest daughter is enrolled for 2026.
When she completes Year 13 in 2030, our family will have contributed 19 consecutive years to the life and legacy of this school. I’ve witnessed firsthand the changes, challenges, and growth that have shaped the MAGS journey.
I previously served on the Board from 2017 to 2020. Amongst the various governance responsibilities, my designated subcommittee was the Judicial Committee. I participated in a number of complex disciplinary hearings involving serious student misconduct. These situations often brought together parents, guardians, extended whānau, and support people under immense stress. I approached each hearing with empathy, cultural understanding, and a calm presence, ensuring all voices were heard and respected.
I strongly advocated for restorative justice, believing the Board should exhaust every avenue to help students stay engaged in their education. I am proud that most cases I was involved with resulted in positive outcomes. If re-elected I would look to return to this subcommittee, bringing back my experience to support both the Board and families involved in these difficult moments.
As a Samoan father, I am deeply proud to have been part of the original Komiti Faufautua the Pasifika advisory group supporting student achievement and community connection at MAGS. If re-elected, I will continue to support and strengthen this vital work, ensuring our Pasifika voice is meaningfully represented in school leadership and direction.
As a former All Black and dual international athlete, I’ve drawn on my experiences to guide students through pressure and personal growth. I currently coach the MAGS U14A rugby team and serve on judicial panels for Super Rugby and World Rugby, bringing global governance experience in fairness and youth development.
I stand for inclusion, integrity, and student success and I would be honoured to represent your voice on the Board once again.

LeeAnn Yare

I am married to Glen, we have lived in the Eden/Albert area for the past 20 years.  Both our sons currently attend MAGS in Year 12 and Year 13, and as a family we believe in contributing and being well-connected with our school and community.
My professional career and community involvement has been full and varied, I am a current elected member of the MAGS board where I also sit across finance and property.  I believe I have the skills, commitment, experience and fresh perspective to continue to complement and serve the MAGS board and school community.
As an international airline pilot for the past 31 years where only 6% worldwide are female, I am trusted with the utmost levels of responsibility, deliver technical skills with attention to detail, am a practical problem solver with an ability to lead and be part of a team. Outside of aviation, my interests have resulted in work with national and international leading media titles, freelance television presenting, time as a small business owner and experience in social media.
My contribution to voluntary work prior to joining the MAGS board in 2022 within our community has included being an event lead on the Balmoral School PTA assisting with large-scale fundraising events in both event management, extensive voluntary sports management for Auckland Normal Intermediate and more recently MAGS, being an ambassador for several charities including the NZ Breast Cancer Foundation, a pilot ambassador where I mentor a range of young adults entering the aviation industry, and volunteering within local sports bodies across social media, team management.  I have previously held an executive board level position at Eden Rugby Club where I was awarded the Elizabeth Anderson Cup for promoting junior rugby over two consecutive years.
I currently manage the MAGS premier mixed touch team for the third year, and have managed a large number of sports teams at MAGS across multiple codes over the past five years.  You’ll often find me helping out on the sidelines as I enjoy sport as an avenue to connect with our students directly.
I have been passionate and engaged in my elected position over the past three years on the MAGS board, am a people person armed with a can-do attitude, and I look forward to continuing to bring a high level of motivation and modern thinking to the MAGS board for the next three years.