The National Governing Council (NGC) is the governing body of Laidlaw College. It is comprised of people committed to the Vision, Mission and Values of Laidlaw, appointed for their stature as professionals and leading persons in the fields for which Laidlaw is equipping students. The National Principal/CEO attends NGC meetings, without the power to vote. The NGC also includes a staff and a student representative, both of whom have the power to vote.

The NGC sets the vision of Laidlaw, guards its ethos, makes recommendations on the policies of the College, and appoints the National Principal. It meets at least five times a year.

The NGC ensures its accountability by reporting to and consulting with the Members of Laidlaw College Inc. and the Runanga (Maori Council), and by working alongside other governance bodies, including the Academic Advisory Board, and in partnership with the Laidlaw College Foundation, a separate charitable trust that manages the College's endowment.

The Rūnanga (Maori Council), is comprised of Maori community leaders. The Rūnanga advises the College at a governance, management and practical level on servicing Maori training needs and incorporating Maori awareness in Laidlaw life that affirms the implications of the Treaty of Waitangi for the College.

National Governing Council Members

Chris Collins (Chair)

Chris Collins is the President of IPU New Zealand, and has a strong background in governance and leadership, particularly in the University sector in academic, general, and senior management roles. Chris is married to Naomi and has four children based around the country. 

Prof Jessica Palmer (Deputy Chair)
BCom/LLB(Hons) Auckland, LLM Cambridge, LLM Auckland, MInstD

Jessica is Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Humanities, at the University of Otago, and brings strong governance and strategic leadership experience to Laidlaw. Jessica also sits on the boards of Presbyterian Support Otago and the Wilberforce Foundation. Her research interests lie in equity and trusts, the law of restitution and the law of contract. Jessica and her family attend a Presbyterian church in Dunedin.  

Dr Roshan Allpress (National Principal/CEO)
BA(Hons) Canterbury, DPhil Oxford, MInstD

Roshan has been National Principal/CEO of Laidlaw College since 2017. An historian, whose research focuses on the history of philanthropy, humanitarianism and social reform, he has a background in non-profit leadership. Roshan and his family live in Henderson. [more]

Anna Shaw (COO)
BA; BCom University of Otago, MBA Macquarie Business School

Anna took on the role as COO of Laidlaw College in mid 2025. Anna has held leadership roles in both the public and private sectors, in New Zealand and overseas, with substantial experience in finance, environmental stewardship and strategy. She is married with two daughters, lives in Greenlane, and attends Auckland Evangelical Church.

Miriam Fisher

Miriam is the staff representative on the Laidlaw. She has been studying with Laidlaw for some time but joined us on staff in 2019 as the inaugural staff member in Christchurch for our Teaching programme. She lectures into Inclusive Education and The Arts.  Miriam is currently working on her Master of Theology, with Laidlaw. [more]

Bradford Haami (Rūnanga Representative, Co-Chair Te Rūnanga)
Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Kahungunu, Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Apa, Kai Tahu; GradDipTh Laidlaw

An accomplished author, journalist and lecturer, Brad has written award-winning Māori biographies, has extensive experience in film and media, and has worked as Māori curator for the Natural History exhibition at Te Papa. Brad is widely involved in Māori Christian leadership networks and attends an AOG church. In 2020, Brad commenced fulltime work at Laidlaw as Pou Amorangi/Māori Director. [more]

Chris Hannen
BMin MTh Laidlaw, BCom Canterbury

Chris is the CEO of The Christian Schools Trust in Christchurch, a proprietor trust for four State integrated Christian schools and two Christian early learning centres.  He has previously worked as a Chartered Accountant, a Regional Manager for World Vison New Zealand and he was Campus Director for the Laidlaw College Christchurch campus for eight years.  He is married to Belinda and they have three adult children. He has been part of his local fellowship, Life Church, for over 30 years.

Joshua Taylor

Joshua is an Anglican Priest from the Diocese of Christchurch. He is currently working on a PhD in theology through the University of Otago. He has experience in youth ministry and several years as a Vicar in Timaru. Joshua is also a qualified spiritual director through Spiritual Growth Ministries NZ. He is particularly interested in the areas of systematic theology, practical theology, and spiritual formation for leadership. This interest was sparked during his time as a student at Laidlaw College in Christchurch from 2007-2009. 

Monica Whitehead

Monica is an alumni-student of Laidlaw, having studied a Bachelor of Ministries. She has previously served as a student voice on the NGC, as well as our Campus Design Team. Monica’s background is in adventure tourism and in worship and youth ministries. She currently runs a Boutique Mānuka Honey business called ‘Taste & See’ with her husband Levi.

Shona Pink-Martin
BTheol(Hons) University of Auckland, MTh Laidlaw College

Shona Pink-Martin (Te Aupouri from Te Kao, Te Rarawa from Ahipara, Muriwhenua), has a life-long connection to Laidlaw through her parents, Lawrie and Whena Pink who both attended the College when it was originally known as BTI (Bible Training Institute). She has followed in her mother’s footsteps as a member of the Runanga. Shona’s ecumenical experience and bi-racial identity affords her a Christian Māori worldview identifying with some of the challenges for Māori and engaging non-Māori in cultivating cultural awareness towards more effective Christian ministry in the land of her tupuna. 

Margot Shutt

Margot is a nurse and midwife by trade and has worked in many of Auckland’s hospitals. She has also served in various pastoral and teaching roles in the local church setting. Margot is Ngāti Tiipa and was raised on her whenua in Opuatia in the Waikato, surrounded by a large extended whanau. Married to Stu, they have three young adult children and run their nationally franchised business, Sentinel Homes. Margot has served on several boards in the not-for-profit space and is passionate about helping build strong churches, healthy families and purposeful, gospel centred work.   

Samantha Taylor

Samantha is the student representative on the Laidlaw NGC in 2025. She is currently pursuing postgraduate Theological Studies. Sam has a background in education, and is deeply passionate about Reflective Practice and Spiritual Disciplines.

Te Rūnanga o Te Wānanga Amorangi

• Brad Haami (Co-Chair)
• Shona Martin-Pink (Co-Chair) 

Academic Advisory Board

Laidlaw's Academic Advisory Board comprises senior scholars from universities and other higher education providers, and oversees academic quality at the College. Its current membership includes:

• Associate Professor Bronwyn Wood
• Associate Professor Geoff Troughton
• Bishop Te Kitohi Pikaahu
• Sylvia Yandall
• Dr Myron Friesen

President of Incorporated Society

Chair, Laidlaw College Foundation

Graham Burt

Grahan served as Chair of Laidlaw College for fifteen years until 2020, and remains the Chair of Laidlaw College Foundation and President of the National Conference. With a diverse background in advertising and all manner of creative endeavours, Graham is currently CEO of Festival One.

If you would like to see who the members of Laidlaw College’s other advisory boards and committees are, please feel free to read our latest annual report.

Annual Report

This document demonstrates the full breadth of Laidlaw College's activities and features statements from those in leadership; reports from each school and centre; profiles of students and alumni; and of course, financial reports. It is a great read for those who wish to familiarise themselves on the College and our various activities.

If you would like to read the report, you can either download or view this by clicking the link below.

Click here to download the 2024 Annual Report

Accreditation

Laidlaw College is registered by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority pursuant to the 1990 Education Act and its amendments, and is accredited to teach its programmes as approved by the Authority. Laidlaw College is accredited by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority to teach at postgraduate and undergraduate degree level. Doctoral programmes are offered under the auspices of partnership arrangements with New Zealand universities or as an affiliated College of the Australian College of Theology.

Laidlaw College was previously known as the New Zealand Bible Training Institute (NZBTI) from 1922–1971 and as Bible College of New Zealand (BCNZ) from 1971–2008. Academic awards bearing the stamp of the former names of Laidlaw College are recognised by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority pursuant to the 1990 Education Act. The New Zealand Ministry of Education Provider Code for Laidlaw College is 08563.

Details of accreditation of awards of Laidlaw College programmes can be found at the following New Zealand government website:

www.nzqa.govt.nz