The WASSI Committee

The WASSI is focused on having good governance practices in place and to support this we have formed a Committee consisting of:

a) Chairman, Mark Woodhouse;

b) Treasurer, Steven Bodt;

c) Secretary, Nic Vanderschantz;

d) Committee member and WMSFS Director, John Hamilton;

e) Committee member and WMSFS Chief Flying Instructor Steve Scott; and,

f) Committee member and WMSFS Executive Officer David Jupp.

Mark Woodhouse - Chairman Mark Woodhouse is a Boeing 787 First Officer with Air New Zealand.

Mark qualified as a school teacher before beginning his aviation career in the RNZAF. Mark flew Iroquois helicopters operationally, then completed the RNZAF Flying Instructors Course. He joined Massey University’s School of Aviation in 1990 and in 1992 was appointed Manager, Flying Instruction (CFI). In 1994 Mark joined Air Nelson and became a SAAB 340 Training Captain. He joined Air New Zealand in 2004. Mark is a current A Category flying instructor and General Aviation Flight Examiner.

He has been a flying instructor at the Walsh Memorial Scout Flying School for 24 years and was the Chief Flying Instructor (CFI) for the past twenty years.

Mark was the recipient of the 2007 Civil Aviation Authority Flight Instructor Award and in 2010 Mark was awarded the Honourary Company of Air Pilots Pike Trophy. This international trophy is awarded to the individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the maintenance of high standards of civil flying instruction and safety. This award was presented to Mark in London in 2011.

Steven Bodt – Treasurer and Committee Member Steven has held many senior management roles with a range of multinationals including Fletcher Building, Amcor Packaging, PaperlinX and SKF spanning some 30 years. Steven is a member of Institute of Directors and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand. He obtained a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from the University of Auckland. He attended the Advanced Management Programme at Harvard Business School.

Steven had a long involvement with Scouting New Zealand and has previously been involved with the Walsh Memorial Scout Flying School as a student and a range of leadership roles including Deputy Director. Steven is recognised for his Commercial experience and Governance skills that he brings to both Commercial and Non-Profit organisations like WASSI.

Nic Vanderschantz - Secretary, Committee Member and WMSFS Deputy Director

Nic Vanderschantz is Senior Lecturer at the University of Waikato where he teaches Design at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Nic completed his PhD in 2016 during which he investigated user interface design of search engines. Nic specialises in human centred research of how people use information and information technology devices when on the move. Weather they are interacting with information systems and devices on foot, on a bike, in a car, or in a plane, you will find Nic asking questions of these users.

Nic has enjoyed a long involvement with SCOUTS New Zealand both as a youth, a leader, and a parent. Nic attended his first Walsh Memorial Scout Flying School as a student in 1998. When Nic found himself too old to attend as a student he was invited to head the Refuelling team, and then the Administration team, a role he held for a number of years. Nic continues to enjoy and value his involvement in the yearly school, these days in the Deputy Director role. Following in the footsteps of many other Walsh families, Nic's two children are counting down the years until they too can apply to attend the school as ab-initio students rather than as family-camp attendees.

John Hamilton CNZM, MVO - Committee Member and WMSFS Director John Hamilton is a consultant in emergency management and crisis leadership with the Kestrel Group (www.kestrel.co.nz). Between 2006 and October 2014 John held the appointment of Director of the Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management. After the 22 February 2011 Christchurch earthquake John was appointed by the government to be the National Controller and was responsible for the control and co-ordination of the national response to the crisis, including the coordination of international assistance. As Director he has contributed to international emergency management forums through APEC, the United Nations and ASEAN.

Before joining civil defence emergency management, John enjoyed a long and successful career in the Royal New Zealand Air Force. He enlisted in 1971, completed a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Canterbury and qualified as a helicopter pilot. He subsequently held flying and command and leadership appointments at all levels of the RNZAF culminating with a four year period from 2002-2006 as the Chief of Air Force in the rank of Air Vice-Marshal.

John was made a member of the Royal Victorian Order (MVO) in 1981 for his service to the Queen as equerry. He was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2001 for leading the planning for the New Zealand deployment to East Timor, and in 2006 he was promoted to Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) in recognition of his leadership as Chief of Air Force.

John’s interests include aviation and architecture and he continues to fly with an aero club. He is a trustee of the RNZAF’s Missing Wingman Trust, the Director of the Walsh Memorial Scout Flying School and a committee member of the Walsh Aviation Support Society Inc.

Stephen Scott - Committee Member and WMSFS Chief Flying Instructor Steve Scott is currently the Technical Pilot and Project Manager at Air New Zealand Regional (Air Nelson) and is responsible for the safe and economical operation of the Bombardier Dash 8 Q300 Fleet and the introduction of new technologies onto the fleet.

Steve is a NZCAA Flight Examiner and Airline Flight Instructor, former roles for the company include Fleet Manager, Simulator Instructor and specialised Flight Management System instructor. Steve is a past Chief Flying Instructor (CFI) of the Marlborough Aeroclub and is the incoming CFI of the Walsh Memorial Scout Flying School.

Steve has been a flying instructor at the Walsh for 15 years and has been the Deputy CFI for much of that time.

David Jupp - Committee Member and WMSFS Executive Officer David Jupp has recently retired from his own practice of 15 years as building services consulting engineer working on the design and supervision of a range of small and large buildings. Prior to that David worked for Structon Group Architects and Engineers for 26 years, the last 4 years as building services manager.

David is the SCOUTS New Zealand National Air Activities Advisor, the Executive Officer of the Walsh Memorial Scout Flying School and the Operations Officer during that school. David is also responsible for management of the SCOUTS New Zealand lodge at Mt Ruapehu, is a Venturer Leader with Ngaio Scout Group (11 years) and was a scout leader for 26 years with First Karori Scout Group.

In 1998 David was awarded the QSM for Community Service and was made a life member of the Scout Association of New Zealand in 2009. In 1971 David attended the Walsh Memorial Scout Flying School as a student and has returned each year to assist with the running of the school in various positions.

David qualified for a Private Pilot’s Licence in 1973 and served on the committee of the Wellington Aero Club for 5 years. David joined the Royal Aeronautical Society in 1998, is a member of the New Zealand Division Council and is currently serving a second term as Honorary Secretary. David was awarded the New Zealand Division Meritorious Service Award in 2016.

In 2005 David was awarded the Guild of Air Pilots and Navigators Sword of Honour at the Guild Hall in London.