Faafouina Patisolo

Chairperson

Faafouina, aka Ina, is an Auckland freelancer who boasts a BMus in Oboe Performance and 20+ years in the arts. Transitioning from orchestral musician to Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra management, she now merges arts and environmental activism. Key projects include EcoWest Festival’s “Arts on Climate Change,” Bike Avondale cycling events, and creating greater opportunities for Pasifika peoples as part of Whau Pasifika. Ina is also a proud mum of two.

Email Ina: board@nyds.co.nz

Rachael Blampied

Board Member

Rachael, ex-NYDS student and former NYDS Screen Acting tutor, holds a Performing & Screen Arts degree from Unitec. Known for her leading roles in ‘Shortland Street’ and ‘Nancy Wake: The White Mouse’, she has extensive screen credits. A skilled musician, she’s performed at Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park. Based in Auckland, Rachael juggles acting, voice work, and producing TV/film projects – including music videos and commercials.

Brin Rudkin

Board Member

Brin brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to the NYDS Board, where he has been a trustee since 2023. His journey with NYDS began as a student in 2011, later joining the Media Team to support the school’s creative storytelling. Professionally, Brin is a skilled broadcaster with over a decade of experience working for New Zealand’s major media organisations, including MediaWorks and NZME. His versatile career spans roles as a newsreader, producer, and radio presenter.

Trace Tidd

Board Member

Trace has been tutoring the Musical Theatre class at NYDS since 2014, advocating for the transformative power of performing arts. Passionate about mentoring youth, she uses the arts to foster purpose, belonging, and lasting connections. Based in sunny Whakatane, Trace balances being a mum with leading Stage Door Performing Arts Academy and thriving as a performer, tutor, vocal coach, director, and singing teacher.

Nafanua Kersel

Board Member

Nafanua is a writer, poet and performer who was born in Samoa and raised in Wellington. A graduate of Te Pūtahi Tuhi Auaha o Te Ao, the International Institute of Modern Letters, she was the recipient of the 2022 Biggs Family Prize in Poetry for her collection ‘Black Sugarcane’. Nafanua has performed or facilitated at writers and arts festivals around the motu. Her poetry has been adapted into dance and theatre and published in anthologies and journals including Ōrongohau | Best New Zealand Poems, Landfall 245, and Turbine | Kapohau. Nafanua has a degree in social anthropology and lives in Hawke’s Bay with her husband and three children.