2026 - who are we?

Gareth Hope

Hi, I became a board member in 2024. I work for Southroads as a Foreman, having worked in roading for over 15 years and I operated heavy machinery before this.

I am married to Donique and have three children at Mataura School - Bailee (year 4) Mason (year 2) and Ella (year 1).  We live in Mataura where both myself and Donique were born and grew up.  I’m looking forward to being part of the Mataura School Board and helping out where I can. 

Codi Millan

Kia ora, I’m Codi. I work as a Health and Safety Trainer in the high-risk sector and volunteer as a firefighter in Mataura. My wife Cherie and I have two awesome boys, Otto and Beauden, who keep us busy and grounded.

I joined the board to give back to the community and to support our kids and the wider school whānau.

Shona Willis - Staff Trustee

My name is Shona Willis and I teach in Room Kiwi. This is my tenth year teaching at Mataura School, and the ninth year that I am on the Board as the staff trustee. I am responsible for the Health and Safety portfolio, as well as sharing responsibility for Property, and I report to the Board on these areas at every meeting.

I was born and raised in Singapore. I left in 2003 to go to university in Scotland, where I completed undergraduate and Master’s degrees in Economics. I also have a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) qualification, and have taught English in Cambodia. I moved to New Zealand in 2011 with my husband Chris, who is from Dunedin, and completed a Postgraduate Diploma in primary teaching. I have lived in Gore since 2012, and enjoy reading and hiking.

If you would like to contact me, then you can either email me at shona@mataura.school.nz, or make an appointment to see me at the school office.

Susan Dennison – Principal

Kia Ora, I began here as principal in 2006. I am married to John, who works at the Eastern Southland Art Gallery. Our 3 children are Albert, Tom, and Louise. Albert is an apprentice electrician, Tom is a newly qualified builder, and Louise works on the “Reimagining Mataura River” project. 

I studied at Otago University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, a Bachelor of Education, and a Diploma of Teaching. I come from a teaching family as my Mum was a teacher and one of my sisters is. My teaching career started in Greymouth, then Christchurch, and then at Longford Intermediate and St Mary’s in Gore.

My goals for our school are to find ways for all students to come to school and enjoy their learning. My job is to help the teachers and support staff realise this aspiration for every learner. Our learners need to love their lives here and develop resiliency so that they can cope with life. They need lots of experiences and opportunities to broaden their understanding of the world.