Our Leadership team
Leadership
Our chief executive, general managers, and departmental managers provide direction, oversight, and organisational support to make sure we deliver on our mission.
Our chief executive and general managers work closely with our Board of Trustees to shape strategy, strengthen partnerships, and embed purpose in every part of ŌCHT as we sustainably develop as the South Island’s largest non-government community and affordable housing provider.
Executive leaders
Cate is OCHT’s establishment Chief Executive and leads our strategic direction, partnerships, and growth.
She joined the community housing sector with a strong belief housing, health, and education are the foundations of wellbeing for whānau and communities. Her move into housing also reflects a long-standing personal interest in architecture, green technologies, and thoughtful urban design.
Before joining us, Cate held senior leadership roles across the mental health and addictions sectors, bringing deep experience in complex service delivery, system leadership, and community-centred practice.
Cate has served as co-chair of Community Housing Aotearoa and its CEO and Sector Leaders Forum, and is currently a member of the Australasian Housing Institute’s New Zealand Board. Through these roles, she contributes to the ongoing development of the community housing sector nationally.
Chief executive
Cate Kearney
Bob leads our tenancy services with a strong belief in public service and fairness.
He brings a deep commitment to supporting people to access and sustain safe, secure housing.
Bob has spent more than two decades working with people in housing need, building extensive experience in tenancy management, complex situations, and early intervention to support positive outcomes.
Before joining the community housing sector, Bob owned and operated his own business and previously served 30 years with New Zealand Police, where he developed a strong grounding in community safety, accountability, and service to others.
Bob approaches his role with a clear focus on respect, responsibility, and helping tenants feel supported in their homes.
Cedreece joined Ōtautahi Community Housing Trust in 2023 and leads our finance and business support functions.
He brings extensive experience in financial leadership, governance, and strategic planning. Prior to joining OCHT, Cedreece spent six years as Group Chief Financial Officer at Mike Greer Homes, overseeing financial performance across a large residential development business.
Before this, he worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers across Australasia for 11 years, specialising in corporate finance and progressing to the role of Director.
Cedreece’s background supports our commitment to strong stewardship, responsible growth, and ensuring resources are managed in a way enabling long-term housing outcomes for our community.
GM Tenancy
Bob Hardie
GM Finance and Business Services
Cedreece Tamagushiku
Fiona leads our facilities and property maintenance functions, overseeing a multi-disciplinary team responsible for keeping homes safe, warm, and well cared for.
Her team manages more than 2,500 properties across Christchurch and Banks Peninsula, delivering complex facilities work within a highly regulated environment and to the expectations of tenants and communities.
Fiona joined ŌCHT after an extensive career in the engineering sector, bringing strong expertise in project management, environmental sustainability, and operational efficiency. She has played a key role in strengthening systems and quality practices across the organisation, including leading our ISO certifications and Toitū Net Carbon Zero accreditation.
Fiona holds a science degree along with multiple certifications in quality management and occupational health and safety. Outside work, she is active in community initiatives and is a member of the Canterbury Branch of the Royal Society of New Zealand.
GM Facilities
Fiona Swift
Ed joined us in 2019 and leads our development work.
With decades experience in the construction industry, Ed brings strong capability in managing large-scale residential and infrastructure projects. In his role as General Manager Property, he leads a multi-disciplinary team of trusted external partners to delivering high-quality housing projects on time and within budget.
Ed’s focus is on ensuring new homes and upgrades are built to a high standard, supporting long-term durability, liveability, and community wellbeing.
Outside work, Ed enjoys spending time fishing, swimming, and supporting his children at sport.
GM Property
Ed Leeson
Operational leads
Tenancy operations manager
Stu Bayles
Stu leads day-to-day tenancy operations, with a strong focus on efficient, supportive service delivery for tenants and communities.
He brings nearly three decades of experience working in high-pressure environments, including military service, firefighting, security operations management, and senior roles with the Department of Corrections and Kāinga Ora. This background supports his calm, practical approach to complex tenancy situations.
Stu holds qualifications in leadership, business, coaching, and project management, and is currently completing a Master of Management at Massey University.
Graeme leads the day-to-day delivery of facilities and asset management services across OCHT’s housing portfolio.
He works with internal teams and trusted contractors to coordinate reactive repairs, planned maintenance, and renewal programmes — ensuring homes perform as expected for tenants and communities.
Graeme’s focus is on using maintenance and renewal investment effectively to support safe, reliable, and well-functioning homes across OCHT’s growing portfolio.
Alana oversees our contractor and supplier relationships, ensuring services are delivered safely, consistently, and to a high standard.
She manages the full contract lifecycle, from sourcing and procurement through to performance monitoring and compliance, and works closely with contractors to support reliable, high-quality service delivery across our homes and communities.
Facilities manager (acting)
Graeme Uden
Contracts manager
Alana Montgomery
Corporate support leads
Finance manager
Tom Palmer
Tom joined us in 2023, bringing strong financial management experience from the theatre and cinema industry in the United Kingdom, where he worked on major capital projects and large-scale operational budgets.
He moved into the community housing sector as part of a deliberate shift toward work that supports people and communities, guided by a belief that access to safe housing is fundamental to wellbeing.
Tom supports OCHT’s financial planning and reporting, helping ensure resources are managed responsibly in support of long-term housing outcomes.
Outside work, Tom enjoys learning languages — particularly te reo Māori — as well as skiing, running, and exploring Aotearoa’s landscapes and cultures.
Stu leads our internal and external communications, helping people understand who we are, what we do, and how our work supports tenants and communities.
The recovering journalist joined us in 2020 after a career in media as an editor, educator and reporter, bringing strong experience in public communication, media relations, and storytelling.
For media enquiries, please contact:
admin@ocht.org.nz
Communications manager
Stu Oldham
