Board of Trustees

Andrew Baker joined the board in 2019. He is of Te Arawa, Tūwharetoa, Irish and Scottish descent. Andrew resides in Devonport with his wife and daughter following in the footsteps of his great grandparents and father who were Devonport locals. Andrew is passionate about people development and has been coaching and practicing the non-aggressive martial art of Aikido for more than 25 years. He founded Devonport Aikido in 2014.

Andrew is a Member of the Institute of Directors NZ and has a Master of Business Administration. After a long career at Air New Zealand where he worked in Govt Affairs, Communications and Marketing, he created and delivered their Māori strategy. He retired from Air New Zealand to launch 3degrees Ltd, a cultural consultancy, creating tailored cultural strategies for leading national and international businesses.

Andrew also has an extensive professional background in the Māori performing arts and culture including: kapa haka, waiata and mau rākau. He is passionate about quality time with his family and friends and enjoys coaching, cooking, diving, fishing and singing. Andrew and his family are also avid supporters of the Takapuna Grammar School Rowing Club.

Gillian joined the TGS board in June 2019 bringing school governance experience, having completed three years on the Devonport Primary school board, the last 18 months as the chairperson. She combines this with 15 years experience working as a commercial litigator and employment lawyer in London and Auckland. She has enjoyed working on initiatives for authentic community engagement as part of strategic planning and believes that good governance involves staying focused on the strategic direction of the school and ensuring that student achievement and well-being remain at the heart of every decision. She has a long-term interest in the continuing success of the school with a son and daughter heading to TGS in the not too distant future. She spends free time involved in school and sporting activities, including instructing for Waterwise. Gillian hopes that her governance experience together with a legal background will allow her to make a valuable contribution to the school and its community.

Rosemarie Close has been the Staff Representative on the Board since 2013, and is a current member of the Planning and Property Committees. She is an ex-pupil of the school and has taught at Takapuna Grammar School for the past 36 years. She is currently a Mana House Dean. She is married to an ex-pupil, Stephen, and their three sons all attended the school. Rosemarie has lived locally since the late 1960's.

Tate Agnew is the student representative on the board of trustees. Tate is of European and Ngāpuhi descent and is in year 12. She has attended TGS for the last two years in the IB Diploma Programme.

She is actively involved with various organisations within and outside of school. This includes being a co-leader of the Environmental group, Devonport Youth Forum, TGS chorale, student consultation team, debate mentor, archery, and more.Tate is passionate about environmentalism, she is a Blake Inspire alumni and sat on a youth forum for COP 27. She is an artist and has painted murals for the Auckland council, designed book covers for art week, and is currently working as an illustrator for children's books.

As well as being the Executive Assistant for the Principal of TGS, Ngaio is also the role of Board Secretary. Her family has a long history at TGS as her grandmother, Shirley Brickell was on the Board back in the 1950's and 60's. Her father went to the school, playing in the 1st XV and her uncle was the late potter and conservationist, Barry Brickell – the art studio is now named after him. Her hobbies include musical theatre and putting on musical revue productions. Ngaio has four children, three older daughters and her youngest son who has just started here in 2022.