LIAC Commissioners
The Minister of Internal Affairs in her responsibility for the National Library of New Zealand, appoints six members after consultation with the Minister of Māori Affairs. The National Librarian is an ex-officio member of the Commission. The current appointees deliver the appropriate mix of skills and experience sought for the Commission and bring particular strengths relating to broadcasting, information technology, Mātauranga Māori, museum and public libraries management, and education. They are:
Allison Dobbie (Chair)
Second Term
Term expires September 2027
Allison commenced a career in librarianship in 1975. She has worked in public libraries across New Zealand. She was City Librarian for Dunedin from 1989 and for Auckland from 2001. In 2010 she became General Manager of Auckland Libraries and lead the amalgamation of library services to its 1.5 million people. She has also worked in academic and special libraries in New Zealand.
She holds a Dip NZLS (1974) and an MA in Librarianship from Victoria University of Wellington – her 1988 thesis compared public library systems in Norway and New Zealand.
She has contributed to developments in public library strategy, public lending rights, literacy, national digitisation initiatives, digital access, professional registration and leadership development. She has also served on the Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council, Te Ara online encyclopaedia advisory board and Talking Matters advisory committee.
She has been a member of the Bertelsmann International Network for Public Libraries; a Strategic Adviser to the Gates Foundation Global Libraries Programme and a mentor for its Global INELI programme.
She was instrumental in establishing the first regional INELI programme, INELI Oceania, and chaired this group from 2013 – 2018. This included creation of a Pacific Libraries Network.
Prior to her retirement in November 2018, Allison was working as a Principal Development Officer at Auckland Council exploring future options for delivery of community services.
In 2019 she was awarded an MNZM for services to library and information management and the arts.
Allison is a volunteer for the Cancer Society in Auckland and enjoys walking, reading and knitting.
Michelle Blake
First Term
Term expires September 2027
Michelle is the University Librarian at Te Iho o Te Manwataki, Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato | University of Waikato. Michelle has worked in higher education for 20 years in both NZ and the UK and brings a wealth of committee, board and advisory group experience from the higher education and international library sector. Michelle holds a MLIS from Victoria University. She has led initiatives in open research, women in leadership and anti-racism and has published and presented across a number of areas. She is a skilled relationship builder, a champion of user experience techniques, and has an ability to harness digital technologies to enhance innovation and instil an ethos of continuous improvement. She believes in universal access to knowledge which should be collaborative, inclusive and sustainable.
She is currently the staff elected representative on University of Waikato's governing Council, a member of the CAUL (Council of Australian University Librarians) Board and a member of multiple international publisher advisory boards.
Vanisa Dhiru (MNZM JP)
Second Term
Term expires March 2026
Vanisa currently holds a number of governance and advisory roles. She has served on more than ten volunteer boards across New Zealand, having chaired three of them. She is currently a commissioner with the NZ National Commission of UNESCO, trustee of the Spark Foundation and board member of Global Women New Zealand.
During her career, Vanisa has held various leadership roles including Chief Executive of Volunteering New Zealand, Executive Director of 20/20 Trust (now Katoa Trust), General Manager of Public Impact at InternetNZ. and President for the National Council of Women of New Zealand. Based in Wellington, she is a member of the BMW Foundation Responsible Leaders Global Network, and the Manawatū regional Te Aho Tāmaka Leadership Programme.
Vanisa has built a strong reputation for her ability to work across sectors, age and social status, and as a champion for the importance of equity, inclusion and belonging. In 2020, Vanisa was appointed as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to the community and gender rights.
Rachel Esson
Ex Officio
Ms Esson is Te Pouhuaki National Librarian and is an ex officio member of the Commission.
She was previously Director of Content Services at the National Library of NZ, a role she has held since 2016, having held senior and strategic roles in academic and research libraries, including Associate Chief Librarian Research Collections at the Alexander Turnbull Library.
Rachel is a professionally registered librarian with a master’s in library and Information Science (MLIS) from Victoria University and holds a Certificate in Tertiary Teaching from the University of Otago. She has researched and published in the area of evaluation of library services.
Before joining the National Library leadership team, Rachel was Associate Director, Library Academic Services at Victoria University and Medical Librarian (University of Otago, Wellington). She is a Past President of the Library and Information Association of NZ (LIANZA) and remains actively involved with the organisation.
Dr. Spencer Lilley
Second Term
Term expires September 2027
MA (Hons) Auckland, Dip Lib (VUW), PhD (Massey)
Dr. Spencer Lilley is an Associate Professor in the School of Information Management at Victoria University of Wellington.
Prior to this he had academic positions at Massey University in the School of Māori Knowledge. He trained professionally as a librarian and worked in special and academic libraries from 1989 – 2011.
Dr Lilley’s research interests are Māori/indigenous information behaviour, specifically focusing on the indigenisation of cultural heritage institutions and professions. He was the recipient of a Marsden Fast Start Award from the Royal Society of New Zealand in 2018 to investigate how galleries, libraries, archives and museums (GLAMs) are contributing to the revitalisation of te reo Māori (Māori language).
He is a former President of the Library and Information Association of New Zealand Aotearoa (LIANZA).
In recognition of his outstanding service to LIANZA and the wider library and information profession he was awarded a Fellowship in 2010. Spencer is also a founding member, and honorary life member of Te Rōpū Whakahau (Māori in Libraries and Information Management) and a professional member of the Association for Information Science & Technology. Spencer’s whakapapa includes iwi affiliations to Te Atiawa, Muaūpoko and Ngāpuhi, and Samoan and Scottish ancestry.
Laurinda Thomas
First Term
Term expires September 2027
Laurinda Thomas is the Manager, Libraries, Community Spaces and City Archives, at Wellington City Council.
Laurinda has worked across the libraries and information field for more than 25 years, holding positions across both the private and public sector. She has an MLIS from Victoria University of Wellington, is a Professionally Registered Member and Associate of LIANZA, and a qualified Change Management Practitioner.
She is a former President of LIANZA and lifelong advocate for the transformative power of libraries, speaking at TEDxWellington in 2016. Laurinda has formerly sat on the boards of the Digital Inclusion Alliance Aotearoa, Aurora Foundation, and Te Pou Muramura Read New Zealand.
Prior to joining Wellington City Council, Laurinda was the Manager, Information Management at the Office of the Auditor-General, and Public Sector Digital Continuity Manager at the Department of Internal Affairs.
Dr. Warren Williams
First Term
Term expires January 2026
Dr Warren Williams is the Chief Executive for the 20/20 Trust where the core service provision is digital inclusion programmes across Aotearoa New Zealand. He is passionate about enabling and empowering people through education and technology.
Dr Williams has extensive experience in IT, business and tertiary education spanning more than 25 years. He has held governance, executive and senior management roles, and is active in tribal and community-level groups.
Dr Williams currently holds governance or director roles for Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, Research and Education Advanced Network New Zealand, Trust Tairawhiti, Te Huarahi Tika Trust, Te Mana Raraunga – Māori Data Sovereignty, Tōnui Collab Charitable Trust, Ngā Uri o Maahanga Trust Board and Digital Taniwha Ltd. He has previously held governance roles in the technology, community and disabilities sectors. He is a member of the Institute of Directors and IT Professionals NZ.
His research background consists of increasing Māori participation within the IT industry, as well as Māori leadership and governance with rangatahi (youth) and wāhine Māori. Other experience and interests include Treaty negotiations, taiao/environment, education, employment, local government and business community.
List of Former Members
David Reeves, Chair
Dr. Judith Johnston
Bill Macnaught
Brian Pauling, Chair
Janet Copsey
Evelyn Tobin
Paul Reynolds
Ainslie Dewe, Chair
Chris Szekely
Karl du Fresne
Diana Kelly
Sue Roberts
Nathan Torkington
Carol Moffatt
Sharman Buckle
Hāromi Williams
Don Hunn, Chair
Brian Flaherty
Haneta Pierce
Brian Morris
Sharon Dell, Chair
Dr Rachael Ka‘ai-Mahuta
Matthew Oliver
Carolyn Robertson
Helen Tait
Te Paea Paringatai
David Reeves, Chair
Dr. Judith Johnston
Bill Macnaught
Mark Boddington
Paula Eskett
Last updated: November 2024
