Board of Trustees (BOT)

I am the parent of an energetic skier, mountain biker and hopefully an equally engaged maths, english and science student!!   I am excited to be on the WPS Board using my commercial and governance skills to help maintain and build the school we all love. My career background is in the financial markets as an equity market strategist and share portfolio manager as well as senior leadership roles including responsibility for managing over $15b as Chief Investment Officer.  From a governance perspective, I have served on a number of company boards including holding the chair.

My name is Melissa McFarlane.  My husband Ben and I relocated to Wanaka from Dunedin in 2008.  We have three young daughters – Isabella and Madeline currently attend Wanaka Primary, and Penelope attends a local daycare centre.   I am excited to be a part of the Wanaka Primary School community, and as a parent I have a vested interest in the school and its students.  I believe in the importance of children having the right environment and opportunities provided to them, to enable them to become the best version of themselves.  I am a Director at Fyfe Karamaena Law in Wanaka, and outside of work I like to run and keep fit and I play social netball in the winter months.  As a family we love to travel and do a range of sport and outdoor activities together.  We always encourage our daughters to give things a go, as a way to discover their own strengths and find what they really enjoy.

My name is Tom Syben, my wife and I moved to Wanaka in 2016 after spending some time working overseas.  We have two boys at Wanaka Primary.  One in Year 6 and another in Year 4.  We also have a four-year-old who attends a local pre-school and will be starting at Wanaka Primary in early 2025. We own and operate tourism businesses here in Wanaka and on the West Coast.  I also enjoy giving back to the community in my role as a Station Officer for the Wanaka Volunteer Fire Brigade as well as serving the community as a Justice of the Peace. I’m excited to be a part of the Board of Trustees and am looking forward to working with the rest of the board and the school staff to ensure our children have the best possible start in their learning journey.

Kia ora, my name is Fiona Moir, and I am excited to be elected to the WPS school board. I’m mum to 3 children, two at WPS and one at MAC. I am a maths tutor, accountant and former finance professional with a strong interest in helping our schools to thrive. I am involved in school life through volunteering and community events, including PTA treasurer and ODS committee. I’m running for the school board because I care about making sure all our tamariki feel supported, included, and encouraged to reach their potential. I believe in listening, using the amazing resources we have wisely, and making sure our school supports every kind of learner – regardless of how they think or learn. We live in a special place, with a close-knit community, and as school plays a big role in our children’s lives, I want to help make it the best it can be for all of us. I am honoured to represent our community and work together to make our school even stronger.

I am a New Zealand-trained and registered occupational therapist with a strong commitment to youth mental health, inclusive education, and community wellbeing. Although I was born in Mexico, I have made Aotearoa my home for a decade. I bring with me a diverse cultural perspective and a deep respect for the values of equity, inclusion, and whanaungatanga that shape our education system. As a parent of children currently attending Wānaka Primary School, I am also personally invested in the success and well-being of our students, staff, and wider school whānau. Professionally, I have experience across a range of clinical and community settings, supporting young people and their families through mental health and social challenges, with a focus on a strengths-based approach. I currently work alongside local services, schools, and community organisations to ensure children and members of this community receive the support they need to live a fulfilling life. I bring my professional expertise, lived experience, and a heartfelt commitment to contributing positively to the governance of our school. I believe in creating environments where all tamariki feel valued, supported, and inspired to reach their full potential. Ngā mihi nui, 

Administrative Assistant