Methodist Social Services
Board Members

Pat had a 44 year career with NZ Police and was the Area Commander for Palmerston North City 2004 – 2012 and then included Manawatu and Horowhenua from 2012/2014. He also chaired the Palmerston North Safety Advisory Board (SAB) from 2005 until 2014.

The SAB is a multi-agency strategic body that completed a large number of innovative projects supporting community cohesion and growing social capital in our neighbourhoods and community.

Pat also worked as a lead advisor to implement Community Policing in Timor Leste, working with Police leadership, NGO and international aid sector in Timor. Pat was awarded an ONZM in 2016 for services to police and community.

He left Police in 2018 and was elected to the Palmerston North City Council in 2019 and re-elected in 2022. He has been an MSS Board member since 2018 and chairperson since 2019.

I’ve been a Board Member (PNMSS) for 3 years. The vision of PNMSS is “A Vibrant, Connected, Resilient Community”. I am fully committed to this vision.

I’m actively involved with my family, I enjoy all forms of Theatre, listening to music, socialising with friends, reading, writing, walking, cycling, cooking and craft work

Peter has a lifelong link to the Methodist Church and was a Methodist Minister for 20 years. He chairs Wellington’s Wesley Community Action, and is Social Housing Convenor for the Methodist Alliance. He has also served on the Board of the Methodist Lifewise Trust in Auckland.

His background is in the ecumenical movement, aid and development, Treaty training, and community work. He managed a community owned health service for high deprivation communities in the Hutt Valley, then a national network of primary health services – Health Care Aotearoa.

He was a member and Chair of the Board of Hutt Valley DHB, Chair of the national DHBs, Deputy Chair of Capital and Coast DHB, and a Hutt City Councillor. He was 9 years a Wellington Regional Councillor, becoming Deputy Chair of the Council, responsible for Public Transport, Economic Development and Flood Management.

Peter has over 40 years of wide ranging leadership in the community sector, currently serving on the Problem Gambling Foundation Board as well as the Church agencies, and Hutt City Council’s property development company. His latest passion is a Tiriti-based citizens assembly in Porirua, in partnership with Ngati Toa Rangatira.

Peter and his wife Joan Skinner live in Korokoro, Lower Hutt, enjoying their merged family of 6 children and 11 grandchildren.

I am an ordained Methodist Minister for the Tongan Methodist Parish and part time for the Manawatu Rangitikei Parish based at Palmerston North.

I was graduated with a Bachelor of Business Accounting (UNITEC) in 2005. I was General Manager for Vaevae Manava Tongan Community Trust, for 3 years before moving to Lifewise Trust in 2011 as an Early Childhood supporter from the Administration Office.

Particularly supporting Early Childhood Centre Managers/Administrators with their funding application to meet the Ministry of Education’s regulation. Working with Centres in different areas (Otara (Tongan), Mangere (Samoan), 2 in Massey (Main Stream) Glen Eden (special)) gave me opportunities to connect families with Lifewise Trust’s other services for their support.

I was also a volunteer and helper for Lifewise’s other services such as Family Services, Housing, Merge café etc. Such experiences that broadened my thinking and understanding when working in diverse environment like today.