Patron - Hannah Samuel

An expert in Reputation Branding, Hannah provides guidance and advice to businesses and individuals who want to be, or remain the market leader in their field and create a truly competitive edge.  She speaks nationally and internationally.

A published author in her own right, Hannah's insights into reputation, trust and integrity are based on more than 20 years experience working in business development in the UK and New Zealand.  She is a former General Manager of enterprise development agency Enterprise North Shore, and has established several successful commercial businessess herself, including online performance-based service directory TRUSTcite.

Alongside her business career, Hannah also has direct personal expericnce of governanace, management and volunteering within the Not-For-Profit sector in New Zealand.

In 1998 Hannah was one of two founding trustees of Hearing Dogs for Deaf People New Zealand.  She remained a serving trustee for eight years.  Although Hannah stood down from the Board of Hearing Dogs for Deaf People NZ in 2006, in 2008 she was invited to become the organisation's first Patron.

Alongside her commitment to Hearing Dogs, Hannah was also a founding and serving trustee of the Combined Charities Christman Shop trust for three years, a volunteer for the SPCA Auckland Outreach Therapy Pets programme, a long-standing mentor on the Auckland YWCA 'Future Leaders' mentoring programme for young women and is currently National President of the National Speakers Association of New Zealand - all voluntary.

Patron - Tim Shadbolt

"I've always loved dogs; loyalty, usually obedient, great for exercise and can also be security guards, are just some of the attributes of man's best friend.  I mean persons of non-specified gender's best friend of course.

When first approached to be co-patron of Hearing Dogs for Deaf People New Zealand i must confess i was a little confused.  Like most Kiwis i was well aware that dogs were used by the blind and I've heard numerous submissions about their dogs being allowed in shops, on buses and even at Council Meetings.

Using dogs to assist the deaf was entirely new and i had no idea of how this could actually work.  Now I am convinced that dogs can add both companionship and practical support for those who are deaf.  Whenever possible I will use my high profile to promote public awareness of this relatively new development and I hope to also help with fundraising.

I look forward to working with you in the future."

Tim Shadbolt