Group Directory

I’m Laura Leaf, a Wairarapa-based business owner with a strong background in hospitality, property, and construction. I hold a degree in Hotel Management and spent six years managing hotels and restaurants across New Zealand and Australia. After starting a family, I returned home and continued in people-focused leadership roles, including managing the Blue Lake Top 10 Holiday Park and coordinating weddings and events. These roles built my skills in organisation, communication, and creating exceptional client experiences.

Today, my husband Tama and I own New Leaf Builders, a Masterton-based building company specialising in new builds, renovations, and government housing projects, and I’m also the owner of Propertyscouts Wairarapa, a property-management franchise launching in 2025. Balancing two businesses, three kids, and a busy household, I’ve learned to lead with both structure and empathy. My work is grounded in community values, long-term relationships, and a commitment to quality, helping people create, improve, and protect their homes.

I see the bigger picture and know the challenges small businesses face. I'm not the once-a-year type — I'm here year-round to make things clearer, easier and more efficient.

George Orsborn is a Director and eLearning Designer at Pipi Learning. 

A Registered Nurse with a Master of Nursing, she has an extensive background in Primary Health Care across both Aotearoa New Zealand and the UK. After returning home, George became a Nursing Educator, spending over 23 years in undergraduate and postgraduate education. It was during this time that she discovered her passion for online teaching, where creativity, connection, and clever design can make learning deeply engaging and effective.

George believes there’s very little that can’t be taught online. With captivating, well-curated content and a focus on active learning, she knows learners can achieve great results. She thrives on finding imaginative ways to spark curiosity and keep people hooked from start to finish. 

Outside of work, George enjoys life on her farm in Gladstone, Wairarapa, balancing her time between ferrying kids to sports and renovating investment properties.

Not your usual lawyer, I’m a partner at Gibson Sheat in the Masterton Office, specialising in property, commercial and rural law.  If you are buying or selling a house or business, have questions about your relationship, or you’re a farmer and have leasing, financing or purchasing to deal with, I’m your person.

I’ve been a lawyer for about 15 years, and have lived in the mighty ‘Rapa for the past 4 years.  Coming from a small town (Hawera in Taranaki) Masterton really suited me and my family and we quickly made a home for life here.  I live here with my partner and daughter, and my son has flown the nest and living in Wellington.  If I’m not working or with family, I’m playing softball, netball or reading – my only hobbies!

COMING SOON

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Jenny is well known in the Wairarapa and has been part of the insurance industry here for quite some time. She has worked with many local families and businesses over the years.

Jenny brings a steady, practical approach to financial advice and takes the time to make sure people understand what they have in place and why. She values long term relationships and is trusted for her experience and straightforward advice.

Family is important to Jenny and, with her children now grown, she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren whenever she gets the chance.

Jenny is a Financial Adviser and a member of the Institute of Financial Advisers. She works across rural, commercial, and domestic insurance, as well as personal risk management and ACC, supporting clients with solutions that fit their situation and needs.

My name is Courtney Flynn and I am a ICNZB certified bookkeeper and Xero Silver partner. I work with a range of businesses providing bookkeeping, payroll and administration support.

April is a qualified, internationally certified dog trainer and behaviour professional specialising in positive-reinforcement methods that support dogs through every stage of development, from early puppyhood to the challenges of adolescence. 

Her work centres on helping guardians understand how dogs learn and how behaviour is shaped, creating practical, welfare-focused solutions that strengthen relationships. 

Alongside her training services, April brings her behaviour expertise into the grooming space, offering low-stress, one-to-one grooming that supports a dog’s emotional comfort and confidence and prioritises calm, positive experiences for the dog.

As the owner of All About the Hound, April is committed to raising awareness of evidence-based practice within both training and grooming communities. 

Outside of her professional work, she enjoys training with her own dog Monty, and spending quality time with friends, whether that’s dinner out, a trip to the cinema, attending local events, or exploring a good market.

Cynthia is a local adviser with over 20 years of experience. Whether you have a family, a home, an investment property, or a business that needs protection, Cynthia is the expert you can rely on. With her extensive network and strong relationships, she’ll help you find the perfect insurance package tailored to your needs.

Here’s how Cynthia can assist you:

Assess your needs and financial situation, then recommend competitive insurance options.

Create a tailored personal or business risk insurance plan that suits your specific circumstances.

Provide ongoing support and advice, ensuring your plan remains relevant and works for you, especially when you need it most—at claim time.

Outside of work, Cynthia is a passionate sports fan who enjoys spending time with her family and friends and loves to travel whenever she can.

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With over 25 years of experience in the insurance industry,  Amanda specialises in Rural and Business Insurance. She takes the time to thoroughly assess each client’s unique needs, ensuring they have the right cover in place to protect what matters most.

Amanda has built a strong reputation for her hands on support, particularly in managing claims and guiding clients through every step of the process when things don’t go to plan.

Born and raised in the Wairarapa, Amanda has a deep understanding of the local community and the unique needs of those who live and work in the region. Her friendly, practical approach has made her a trusted adviser and a go to source of insurance advice and support.

Rumour has it Marisa came into this world with a pen and paper in her hand. She won a short story contest at the age of 12 and had her first article published in a national magazine two years later. Since  then, she has been a journalist, marketing copywriter, communications specialist, librarian, and retail business owner.

Marisa has written everything from feature articles and business newsletters to annual reports, marketing collateral, and web sites. She aims for clear, stylish writing that gets its point across with a minimum of fuss. Marisa is also a crack editor and proofreader. 

Nicola co-owns and operates Quick Slabs alongside her husband, Ryan, delivering high-quality, slab solutions across the Wairarapa. 

Wairarapa based photographer, videographer, and content creator specialising in weddings, events, and small business storytelling. 

I focus on intuitive, cinematic visuals that feel natural and emotionally grounded, with fast turnaround and a high level of professionalism. I work with brands, venues, and clients across Aotearoa to create refined, purposeful content that elevates their story and strengthens their presence. 

I also work alongside Māori businesses and kaupapa, supporting their stories with culturally grounded, respectful, and intentional content.

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Rox joined RIVAL Wealth in August 2017 and brings more than 22 years of banking experience to the team. A local for over four decades, she is deeply connected to the Wairarapa community and takes great pride in her adult sons, all of whom have flown the coop and built their own careers.

When she is not at work or at the gym, Rox enjoys the challenge of learning tap dancing. She loves spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. Rox and her husband Steve also share a passion for drag racing and successfully compete together in events around the region and overseas.

Well known across the Wairarapa, Rox is passionate about helping people feel confident about their financial decisions. With strong experience across Investments, Insurance, and KiwiSaver, she is committed to supporting clients as they work towards a healthy and secure financial future.

With over 25 years of experience in the administration, Public Relations and Graphic Design, the transition to running a plumbing company was certainly a new challenge.  Sarah and Rob have owned Waterwise Wairarapa for the last 10 years - Rob is in charge of the plumbing and Sarah is in charge of the running of the business from wages, HR, accounts and everything in between, including being camp mum.

Waterwise Wairarapa services all your Plumbing, Gasfitting and Drainlaying needs along with Septic Design & installation and Backflow testing.

Born and raised in Cornwall in the UK, Sarah met her husband Rob over there and after marrying in Cornwall, they decided to make the move to the Wairarapa 15 years ago.  They have two beautiful children who were both born here, and Sarah loves the flexibility of running her own business and still being able to be able to be a present parent.

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Coming from a customer service and administration background I landed myself a part time admin role in a Wellington based Property Management Company that suited my needs perfectly. Allowing me that all important time with my growing family.

I was never content to be “just the office girl” and took on anything and everything that was thrown at me, including managing projects such as healthy homes compliance for the entire company.

While the workload and hours changed and grew, so did my confidence in all areas of the property management industry. After six years working with Amy, we decided it was time to go it alone and start our own adventure and so, Haven Home Rentals was born! In my down time, I’m kept busy with family and friends and plant shopping for my ever expanding garden (the best way to keep the weeds down is to fill it with plants!). Eight years in and I’m still kept on my toes with the ever changing industry that is property management.

Phillippa is a dedicated Business Advisor at Thryv, with a passion for empowering women and businesses. 

With more than 20 years in sales and marketing, Phillippa has a wealth of business knowledge to share, alongside a life story shaped by diverse experiences; from a childhood spent overseas, being a single mother to building a blended family of five, and from big-city business circles to community life in the Wairarapa.

Phillippa would love to help you get your businesses higher visibility online and help you save time, money whilst growing your revenue.

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With a background in hospitality, call centre and body corporate management, as well in a degree in Criminology and Psychology, retail has been a new challenge that I have thrown myself into and thoroughly enjoy.

I found when I was getting back into Dungeons & Dragons over the COVID lockdown there was a lack of availability of female miniatures and representation in stores. Once I opened Bea DnD Games, I quickly realised that many people in the area have felt the same. We have consistently grown over the last 4 years and have gained a great core community who are always willing to share their love of hobbies with new members. We now run events almost every night to help people engage, discover or grow their favourite pastime.

I spend my downtime with my cat, Beatrice, who was the inspiration for my store name and my husband, when he’s not busy playing in any of the hobbies we now bring to the community.

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I’m Christine Issah, and the General Manager of Care on Call (NZ) Ltd. I’m passionate about delivering personalised, ethical, and responsive homecare services to clients across New Zealand, supporting positive outcomes for those referred by ACC, MSD, DHBs, and private

channels.

Care on Call supports over 1,000 clients across New Zealand. Founded in 2009 in Auckland, the organisation expanded in 2012 to Palmerston North and Wellington, and has since grown into Tauranga, Napier, Hamilton, Taranaki and other regions nationwide.

My family immigrated to New Zealand from Mauritius in 2007, settling first in New Plymouth where I taught Small Business Management before moving into healthsector operations—a career path I found deeply rewarding and have stayed in ever since. In 2016, we moved to Upper

Hutt, which we now call home.

I’m a proud mother of two adult children: my daughter is a lawyer, and my son is in his fourth year of law school. Outside of work, I enjoy walking along the Hutt River with hubby, spin biking, and travelling.

At the heart of my work is a commitment to people, excellent customer service, and ensuring every client receives safe, flexible, and truly personalised care.

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COMING SOON