Board

Penny Fairbrother

Chair

Currently working as a Senior Advisor at Greater Wellington Regional Council, Penny has worked in a number of roles across various government sectors. Originally from Palmerston North, she moved to Wellington to study a Bachelor of Science at Victoria University. She continues to live in Karori where she has raised two sons with her husband, who is a small business owner.

Penny's roles align with Opportunity and have revolved around managing programmes of research designed to deliver evidence-based information to decision-makers. She is passionate about using science to inform policy and practice. Penny believes her open demeanour combined with an ability to explain complex issues has often seen her take on spokesperson roles for some highly controversial topics - 1080 and toxic algae in particular.

I'm dedicated to supporting innovative solutions that will take us into a fair and sustainable future, and it's an absolute honour and a privilege to have been appointed to Opportunity's board. I hope to bring the skills, drive and enthusiasm to help Opportunity transition into a new phase and build on the progress made in the last election.

Darren Savage

Darren is a Project and Change Manager, working in the public health sector in Kirikiriroa/Hamilton. Over the past 14 years, he has worked with teams across Waikato Hospital to make healthcare more accessible. He is also a freelance commercial financial advisor, based on his background as a trained accountant.

Darren is currently a Board Member and Treasurer for the Refugee Orientation Centre, an organisation that supports forced and new migrants with the transition to living in the Waikato. He was previously the Policy Coordinator for Opportunity, supporting the Policy Committee with policy development for the 2020 General Election.

Opportunity is willing to address the most challenging issues facing the country, and to do that, the party must continue to develop its base to sustain itself for the long-term. I would like to help guide the party in its continued development to become established on the country's political scene.

Scott Pollok

Scott lives in Auckland with his young family, and works in intellectual property law as a patent attorney. He is a small business owner with a background in mechanical engineering.

Experienced in managing small teams and inspiring others, Scott brings to the Opportunity team a passion for good policy and change, backed up by analytical legal and technical skills, a keen eye for detail, a strong work ethic, and high standards in delivering what he's tasked with.

I believe New Zealanders deserve an evidence-driven voice in the political landscape, and that Opportunity is the right party for the job. I'm looking forward to putting my legal and organisational skills to good use, helping Opportunity deliver a non-ideological platform committed to long-term solutions as a lifeboat for Kiwi voters.

Dan Thurston Crow

Dan lives in rural Taranaki with husband Thomas and farmdog Flo. Deeply committed to strengthening community, he splits his time between coordinating events and programs for his local farming community and - as a serial entrepreneur himself - for Taranaki's entrepreneurship support organisation, Doso. He's also chair of the region's largest environmental NGO, Sustainable Taranaki. In what time remains he consults on strategy and runs executive training, facilitation and coaching programs.

Dan's involvement in Opportunity is long-standing; he was a candidate in Mt Albert in 2017, New Plymouth in 2020, and has regularly contributed to Opportunity strategy.

Without Opportunity I have no political home. Without Opportunity I worry that the systemic issues causing measurable declines in our nation's health, wellbeing, equity and environment will only worsen. It's a privilege to work alongside other Opportunity board members in the effort to see Opportunity enter Parliament and address those issues.

Alan Wilderland

Alan is one of the founders and owners of Serato Audio Research, a music software company and great Kiwi success story now employing over 160 people in Auckland.

He graduated from the University of Auckland with a Science (Hons) degree in Computer Science, and has spent the last 26 years developing his skills in business as a software engineer, Managing Director, then CEO and now board member of Serato.

Alan has deep experience in marketing, community building, business strategy, and governance, and extremely high standards of integrity and clear communication.

I have been an avid supporter of Opportunity since the party came into existence, and I'm excited to apply my skills and energy to getting the most courageous and sense-driven party in NZ into Parliament.