New Board appointments for The Selwyn Foundation

The Selwyn Foundation is pleased to announce three appointments to its Board, further strengthening its governance as it advances its social impact and charitable mission to enable ageing well in place and support the wellbeing of vulnerable older people/kaumātua across Aotearoa New Zealand. 

Fepulea’i Margie Apa and Chris Clarke have been appointed to The Selwyn Foundation Board, with Michelle Tsui joining as an independent member of the Board’s Finance and Investment Committee. All appointments took effect from September 2026.

Ms Apa is one of New Zealand’s most respected public sector leaders, recognised for her strategic leadership across health, social services and system reform. Mr Clarke brings extensive experience in leading values‑based organisations and guiding strategic transformation while keeping people and purpose at the forefront. Ms Tsui adds specialist strength in financial governance, investment oversight and risk management, with significant experience across complex financial environments.

Commenting on the appointments, The Selwyn Foundation Board Chair Hon David Cunliffe said:
“We are delighted to welcome Margie, Chris and Michelle to The Selwyn Foundation Board. Their respective sector knowledge, leadership experience and commitment to improving outcomes for communities will be invaluable, as we continue our mission and advocacy to enhance the lives of older people across Aotearoa and especially of those who are experiencing the greatest levels of 
vulnerability and disadvantage. Each brings a unique perspective shaped by decades of service in health, social development and organisational leadership, and we look forward to the insight and stewardship they will contribute to our work.”

The Foundation also acknowledges the recent appointment of Deputy Chair Eru Lyndon to the Board of Haumaru Housing, the Foundation’s homes for older people social housing partnership with Auckland Council. This appointment, alongside his existing role on the Selwyn Village Ltd Board, makes Eru a common director across all three Boards within The Selwyn Foundation Group, supporting alignment and shared strategic direction across the Group’s services for older people.

Together, these appointments will reinforce the Foundation’s focus on supporting older people experiencing material and spiritual hardship and enabling respectful ageing for all.

Joining The Selwyn Foundation Board Chair Hon David Cunliffe, Deputy Chair Eru Lyndon, and Board members Rt Rev Bishop Te Kitohi Pikaahu, Rev Dr Helen Jacobi and Hamish Bell are:

Fepulea’i Margie Apa who brings over 20 years of executive leadership experience in the health sector including as former chief executive officer of Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand and Counties Manukau Health. In those roles, she led the provision and funding of hospital and community care. She also oversaw the merger of 20 district health boards into a single national entity employing more than 90,000 people. Margie is currently Co-Chair and Trustee of Tagata Moana Maternity Trust, Future Director at Fisher & Paykel Healthcare and is a trustee of World Vision New Zealand.

Chris Clarke has extensive governance and executive experience across the philanthropic, humanitarian, health and international development sectors. He is a member of the Bishop’s Action Foundation Board of Trustees, and is founding Chair of Emergency Alliance New Zealand and Arrow Leadership Global. A former CEO of philanthropic trust the Wilberforce Foundation, World Vision New Zealand and Hawke’s Bay District Health Board, Chris has also held senior roles across community, faith‑based and sector‑building organisations. He is the Praxis Visiting Scholar at Green Templeton College, Oxford University.

Michelle Tsui has over 25 years’ experience in the actuarial and investment consulting industry with a mix of client advisory, business management and quality control experience. She is the immediate past Chair of Foundation North and holds several Board roles, including with the Marianne Caughey Smith-Preston Memorial Rest Homes Trust, the National Provident Fund and the Community Leisure Charitable Trust. Michelle is also on the Nominating Committees for the Guardians of NZ Superannuation Fund and the Waikato Tainui Global Investment Committee, and is a director of New Plymouth District Council and Auckland Cricket.