Media Statement
25 June 2025
Dilworth Trust Announces Two New Board Appointments
Dilworth Trust is strengthening its governance by appointing two new Trustees who will enhance the Board’s skills, experience, and diversity.
Aaron Hockly, an experienced property executive, non-executive director and former lawyer, joined the Board this week, while Ngaire Ashmore, Auckland Girls’ Grammar School Principal will take up her role at the beginning of July.
In 2023, the Dilworth Board commissioned a comprehensive independent review aimed at examining the governance structures of the Trust and providing recommendations to enhance governance procedures and practice. The recommendations of this review included:
• achieving a greater breadth of diversity, experience and expertise on the Board
• the ability to appoint an independent Chair who is not an Old Boy
• widening the Board’s recruitment practices to make these more visible to the Dilworth community, and ensuring appointments are transparently informed by the Board’s skills matrix.
Jonathan Mason, Independent Trustee became the Trust Chair in April 2025.
Mr Mason said Dilworth had undergone huge changes during the past six years, and the new Trustee appointments reflected the momentum of reform within the School and the Board.
“Under Headmaster Dan Reddiex, a five-year programme of change at Dilworth School has driven significant shifts in culture, safety - including both physical health and safety and child safeguarding - and curriculum.
“We also continue to honour our commitment to addressing the historical abuse that happened at Dilworth. To date, over 225 Dilworth redress applicants have received their financial settlement payments, while many have received personal apologies and other forms of personalised redress.
“This year, as we approach 120 years since Dilworth School’s opening, it is heartening to appoint two new Trustees of such impeccable standing. They will assist in ensuring that the Trust has fit- for purpose governance practices, and that even more deserving young men have access to the first class education available at Dilworth School,” said Mr Mason.
Aaron Hockly, Former CEO of Vital Healthcare Property Trust
Initially a New Zealand and Australian qualified lawyer, Aaron Hockly moved into executive leadership in 2009. He has 15 years’ experience leading large property groups in New Zealand and Australia, comprising over five years leading NZX-listed Vital Healthcare Property Trust and nearly 10 years as Chief Operating Officer of ASX-200 property group Growthpoint Properties Australia.
Aaron has held a variety of governance roles and is currently on the board of Eke Panuku Development Auckland, Auckland Council’s urban regeneration organisation, as well as being a member of the Auckland Urban Design Panel, an independent advisory body that reviews significant projects across Auckland. Previous non-executive director roles include for hospice and aged-care provider Mercy Healthcare (Auckland), the Ponsonby Community Centre, and Melbourne’s Midsumma Festival.
“I’m honoured to join the Dilworth Board and am looking forward to working with my fellow Trustees and Trust and School management to continue enhancing the lives of Dilworth students and their families,” said Aaron.
He is a Fellow – Governance New Zealand, a Fellow – Financial Services Institute of Australasia, a Chartered Member – Institute of Directors (New Zealand), and a member of INFINZ. He has a Master of Applied Finance and a Graduate Diploma in Corporate Governance among other qualifications.
Aaron is a Dilworth Old Boy, class of 1996, and was Head Prefect in his final year.
Ngaire Ashmore, Auckland Girls’ Grammar School Principal
Ngaire Ashmore started her teaching career at Tamaki College in East Auckland, where she taught for seven years before moving into school leadership. She subsequently spent 20 years at Tangaroa College in South Auckland, 11 of those as Principal. Significant accomplishments at Tangaroa included continued improvement in all student achievement but especially that of University Entrance. Students began to believe in their ability to achieve at the highest level which gave them the confidence to see university studies as a viable option and pathway for them. Another significant accomplishment was the increased level of parental support and engagement that is such a critical factor in raising student achievement.
During her time at Tangaroa she was seconded, in 2014, to the University of Auckland Centre for Educational Leadership where she contributed to programmes dedicated to leading engagement with families and communities; culturally responsive leadership; and a programme for first-time principals.
In 2017, Ngaire became the Principal of Auckland Girls’ Grammar School, where she has led a number of notable school developments while overseeing significant improvement in student achievement. One area of particular interest to Ngaire is the process of inquiry as a tool to support teachers to be effective and focused practitioners. Some of the key developments she has led have included curriculum design and implementation that is responsive to student needs and community aspirations, upgrading school-wide infrastructure, and pedagogical shifts in the way the school prepares students for the 21st Century. One significant initiative has been the establishment of a Health Science Academy as a viable career pathway, in partnership with the Counties Manukau District Health Board and its workforce development pipeline.
“Joining the Dilworth Board provides me with the opportunity to make a contribution to the amazing work the Board has set for itself in supporting the ongoing development of this truly incredible school. I believe I have a set of skills and experiences I can bring to the Board table and of course I am excited to learn from those that I will be working alongside,” said Ngaire.
Ngaire’s current governance roles include Executive Member of the Secondary Principals’ Association of New Zealand, Trustee of the Polyfest Trust, Executive Member of the Auckland Secondary School Principals’ Association, Trustee of the Spirit of Adventure Trust, and Executive Member of School Sport New Zealand.
ENDS