HOBANZ
 
THE HOME OWNERS AND BUYERS ASSOCIATION OF NEW ZEALAND INC

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WHO ARE WE?
 
President - John Gray

John is probably the most active and respected advocate for leaky home owners in New Zealand and was the former Chairman of the Leaky Homes Action Group. He no longer has ties with that organisation as it was unable to grow its infrastructure to adequately provide for the wide range of needs arising from the nightmare leaky home owners are exposed to.

Having been an owner of a leaky home himself he has had firsthand experience of the remedial works and claims processes. In 2003, he assisted six other owners in the Ponsonby Gardens townhouse complex in getting their homes repaired, along with his own. He then went on to represent himself and the other owners as a lay person against numerous barristers and QC acting for the various respondents in a WHRS adjudication. That adjudication was the first multi-unit claim to be heard in the WHRS format and John managed to obtain a very satisfactory result for the owners – particularly as the legal fees were kept to less than $15,000.

Over the last four years he went on to advocate for the rights of leaky home owners, as Chairman of the Leaky Homes Action Group and was almost a lone voice in Wellington battling to see that the Government effected significant change to the former WHRS legislation and processes.

John seeks to support leaky home owners so that they go into the remedial works and claims processes being fully informed, by people who are impartial and who do not have a vested interest in the owner going down certain paths.

In being deeply involved in this sector John has become all too aware of the range of issues that impact on home owners and buyers in general and has come to the realisation that the ‘consumer’ is not well represented or supported in this area. He is passionate about the level of advocacy and support that should be afforded all home owners and buyers throughout New Zealand and that they have access to affordable legal, technical and other advice through an organisation that has their best interests at heart. Most of all he is deeply concerned about the number of home owners and buyers that simply cannot afford to get justice around any wrong that they have suffered in relation to their home or prospective home.

John’s fulltime job is as an Airline Pilot.

For further information please contact us
 
Vice President – Ian Margan

Company Director – Healthy Water Solutions and various other companies in his portfolio. Ian is also a Trustee of the Auckland Zoo Trust and brings a wealth of experience and commitment to the Association.

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Board Members;
David Chambers - Senior Bank Executive

Dave Chambers originally trained as an Organic Chemist and spent two years doing post doctoral research at UCSC, Cornell, and UC Berkeley, followed by 3 years doing cancer research at Auckland Med School. A career shift saw him move into Finance and has spent 21 years with ASB in a number of roles including Operations Research, Credit Approvals, Area Manager, and is currently National Manager Business Development, Business and Corporate Banking. As a leaky home owner, one of Dave’s primary motivations in being associated with HOBANZ is to help others in a similar predicament by being involved in the pioneering work by John Gray and his team in lobbying for change and justice for affected home owners, along with providing the knowledge and most cost effective protocols for claimants to follow when seeking compensation.

Dave is also Chairman of Trustees for Northern Lifeguard Services Trust.

Michael Lindgreen - Senior Environmental Management Professional

Michael currently holds a senior position in a water utility company where he leads a number of strategic environmental projects and key business initiatives.

He brings valuable experience regarding the governance of charitable trusts and is familiar with working in the political arena of local government through his management of regionally significant environmental projects.

He has been both the Chair and an active participant of Body Corporate Committee's, and currently provides support to a Committee that is managing the remedial works and claims process of a building with weathertightness related issues.

Michael is committed to the philosophies on which HOBANZ was formed and strongly believes in its mission, purpose and social responsibility goals.

Greg Managh - General Manager, Healthcare Wholesaling Company

Greg is a senior executive with the publicly listed EBOS Group of Companies, with particular responsibility for trans Tasman operations. He holds a Bachelor Degree and, as the owner of a leaky home and Body Corporate Committee member, is avidly interested in legislative change and fair treatment for all affected home and investment owners.

Greg’s experience is derived from a career in logistics and senior management and he brings particular skills in strategy and governance.

Greg is a wholehearted supporter and admirer of John Gray’s efforts in the leaky home environment and is committed to supporting John in striving for effective advocacy.

Dr Michael Shepherd MD - Pediatric Specialist
 


 


 
 

A duly incorporated society under the Incorporated Societies Act 1908 - incorporation no. 2071519