05 Sep 2025
The Good Bitches Trust is chuffed to introduce two new trustees, bringing more regional representation to the governance body of the national organisation.
Tracy Johnston (Marlborough) and Chantelle Hunter (Tauranga) will join long-standing board members Simon Thomas, Sam Feder, Sarah Meikle (Wellington), Justine Street (Levin), and Geoff Willmott (Auckland).
Board chair Simon Thomas says, "As we move into our second decade, we’re keen to ensure that the people shaping GBB’s strategic direction are representative of our community. Tracy and Chantelle bring a range of perspectives that will complement our current trustees – practical experience of our kaupapa, a regional lens, strategic leadership, and governance experience.
“We’re seeing huge growth in demand for our Baking it Better programme, with an increase of 22% in the number of boxes of treats our volunteers baked over the past financial year. This demand tells a subtle story about what’s happening in our community, both nationally and in our chapter locations.
“As a board, it’s critical that we have people around the table who can observe that need from varied perspectives and use it to help us plan for our future. We’re especially pleased to have enticed two such great people from outside Wellington and Auckland – Tracy is our first trustee from Te Waipounamu.”
Chantelle Hunter
For Chantelle, joining the GBB Board is the beginning of her formal governance journey but she also has a very personal connection to the organisation – her son was born prematurely and spent many months in hospital, and the kindness of GBB volunteers meant a lot.
“There was a lot of uncertainty after my son’s birth, but what I knew for certain was that every Monday morning, I could look forward to delicious baked goods at Tauranga Hospital’s Special Care Baby Unit. Sometimes, that was the only food I ate during long days beside his cot. That generosity has stayed with me ever since, and it’s a huge reason why I want to give back as a Trustee.”
Chantelle is currently Head of Marketing and Communications for Western Bay of Plenty Primary Health Organisation (WBOP PHO), and soon to be General Manager at disability sector organisation Arohanui Art and Education Trust, both in Tauranga. At the WBOP PHO, she advised on strategic communications, media risk, and reputation management at governance level. Her background spans international development, brand strategy and social impact initiatives, with experience in New Zealand, Ecuador, Zambia, Lebanon and the UK.
Tracy Johnston
Marlborough-based Tracy has been a GBB baker since 2021, adding another volunteer voice to the governance table.
“I’ve seen first-hand the impact this simple act of kindness has for our recipient organisations, and I’m proud to support GBB’s kaupapa both in the kitchen and now at the governance table. I look forward to helping the organisation thrive nationally.”
Tracy also brings extensive governance experience across the tourism, viticulture and wine, vocational education, and emergency services sectors. She is chair of the Food and Fibre Establishment Advisory Group, and also serves as a director of NZ Winegrowers, Deputy Chair of the Marlborough Winegrowers Association and Deputy Chair of the FENZ Marlborough Local Advisory Committee, and is on the Institute of Directors Nelson/Marlborough Committee. She manages her tourism consulting and governance roles remotely from the Pinot Noir vineyard she co-owns with her husband.