Board of Directors

Chérie Harris (Co-Chairperson)

While living rurally in the Hunua Ranges, juggling animals, a farm, three children, and work in the sport sector (usually in that order) Chérie enjoys volunteering in governance, particularly disability sport.

Several decades of sport development experience, backed up by an academic career in sport psychology, has provided her with the privilege of understanding how different cultures and global communities work to develop disability sport.

Chérie is motivated by lifting the profile, creating opportunities and awareness of possibilities for everyone to become involved and enhance their lives with sport.  

Nicki Turner (Co-Chairperson)

Nicki is a founding Director of NTM Consulting with extensive experience in developing, implementing and maximising strategic partnerships and projects.

Nicki was Head of the School of Sport at Unitec Institute of Technology for 8 years and National Manager for Halberg Disability Sport Foundation from 2010 to the end of 2016.  She has a particular passion for disability sport and has continued to undertake volunteer and professional work in this area.

Nicki played cricket for New Zealand for 10 years and during this time was also the NZWCC Coaching Coordinator.  She was the Assistant Coaching Director for Canterbury (men’s) Cricket and also commentated men’s test cricket for two seasons for TVNZ.

In 1998 Nicki was awarded a Queens Honour for services to the community and cricket (MNZM).  She was a President of Coaching New Zealand, a Board member of Sport New Zealand (formerly SPARC), Gym Sports NZ, Canterbury Cricket and is currently on the Board of ParaFed Canterbury.

Blair Gilbert

Blair is from Rotorua.  He is the current CE of Rotorua Trust and worked previously for Blind Low Vision NZ in the sport and recreation area.  He is a qualified ski instructor and enjoys the outdoors and hiking in his spare time.

Thomas Coysh

Thomas is 24 years old and was born with retinitis pigmentosa.  He enjoys a wide variety of adaptive sports and is currently pursuing a pathway to high performance downhill ski racing.  Notable achievements include being accepted into the Paralympics Para Sport Collective, volunteering as crew for the Spirit of Adventure, becoming the first blind person to complete a 21 day Outward Bound course and spending a month sailing across the Atlantic Ocean.

His main reason for joining the Board at BSNZ is that he wants everyone to experience at least the same level of fulfilment through sport as he has, if not more.  His vision is for sport to be equitable, so that anyone can participate irrespective of age, vision or physical ability.

Stephanie Rigter

Steph joined the Board in November 2024 and is honoured to have been elected to contribute to such a passionate and purpose-driven organisation.  She is deeply committed to helping build inclusive communities and creating meaningful opportunities for all people to engage in sport.

Growing up playing netball and basketball, Steph developed a lifelong love of sport and understands the power it has to connect, empower, and uplift individuals.  She brings this passion into her role as General Manager of People and Culture at MOVe Logistics, where she focuses on building strong, people-first workplace cultures.

Steph is currently completing her MBA through the University of Otago, further deepening her skills in leadership, strategy, and organisational development.

Currently based in Christchurch, Steph has lived in over 20 locations across New Zealand and Melbourne.  She plans to relocate to Auckland in the near future.  Outside of work and study, she enjoys hiking and spending time exploring the outdoors with her family and friends.

Phil Warin

Phil feels honoured to have been elected to the board of Blind Sport New Zealand in November 2024 and looks forward to serving the community to the best of her ability.  She is also a founding and current board member of The Aunties.

Born in Whangārei, Phil lives in Auckland with her partner Colin, daughter Megan and their cat Frank.  Megan has a genetic condition causing low vision and is legally blind.  It is through Megan that Phil met the wonderful team at BSNZ and her passion for blind sport was triggered. 

Phil’s sporting endeavours currently include BFT gym, Pilates, running and hiking with my ‘gym girls’.  My professional expertise sits within the marketing sector in a B2B global business.

Jessica Parkin

Jess Parkin is an experienced Chartered Accountant and has worked with a wide variety of companies and NFPs in both the UK and NZ over the past 20 years. 

Jess is a keen advocate for sport being accessible for all.   She has previous governance experience in the disability sports sector through her service on the board of New Zealand Wheelchair Rugby. 

Originally from London, she now lives in Wellington with her husband and three active sons.  Away from work she loves to hike the beautiful trails of Aotearoa and enjoys playing a variety of musical instruments.  

Kerrin Wheeler

Kerrin is married with three children, was born and raised in Dunedin and still lives there.

He has been visually impaired for 14 years which led him into visually impaired lawn bowls which he has been playing competitively for five years.   He feels fortunate to have been selected to play for New Zealand for the past three years.

When he’s not spending time with his family or playing bowls, he works full time at Proctor Auctions.

Team

HELEN JOHNSON
GENERAL MANAGER

Helen’s role as General Manager is focused on the growth and development of blind and low vision sport opportunities throughout Aotearoa. This includes supporting national, regional and club level sport organisations to ensure their sport is accessible to participants with a vision impairment. Helen also connects with a range of organisations to support their members to engage in quality sport opportunities.

Helen has been involved in sport as an active sports person and in sport management roles for the majority of her career since graduating. Helen brings experience from her roles at the International Paralympic Committee, Paralympics New Zealand and as a sport consultant working with various National Sport Organisations. To get in touch with Helen, you can email her on helen@blindsport.kiwi

CHELSEA OTTO

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & PROJECT LEAD

Chelsea joins the team in March 2025.  She brings years of advocacy experience, representing diverse groups to increase public awareness and drive long-term change.  She has tackled health and wellbeing inequalities through a community-based initiative of Public Health UK, facilitated motivational workshops to reintegrate people into their communities, and worked with social enterprises to help make community assets, sport facilities, and health services accessible to all.

Listening to people's knowledge and understanding what is important to them is a key driver for her, ensuring that those she works with feel empowered, connected, and heard.

A Kiwi at heart, Chelsea has recently returned home from the UK with her family, ready to get tramping, swimming and camping. She looks forward to meeting everyone and getting stuck into the role! You can email Chelsea at community@blindsport.kiwi