I have invited local philanthropist Dame Lesley Max to make a presentation on her huge contribution in education and care of children.

About Dame Lesley Max

Dame Lesley Max is the Co-founder and Trustee of Great Potentials Foundation a charitable trust for the promotion of education and parental support within local communities in need. 

Great Potentials Foundation’s aim is to “reduce disparities in New Zealand society, reduce crime and violence and break the cycle of disadvantage.”

Her background includes secondary school teaching, freelance journalism, and writing. Her book “Children: Endangered Species?” has been profoundly influential in New Zealand.

Awarded a Winston Churchill Fellowship, Dame Lesley studied successful interventions in child protection and education in five countries. On her return, she was influential in the establishment of Family Start in New Zealand.

Dame Lesley is patron of Family Help Trust, the National Council of Women, and Teach First NZ.