School Board

Kim McCahon
Hi, I’m Kim McCahon. My husband and I are dairy farmers in Te Kopuru. Our four sons attended Te Kopuru primary school and then carried on through to Dargaville High School.
This is my 11th year on the Board, of which I have been Board Chair since 2018. I absolutely appreciate the opportunities I’m given through being in this role on the Board. The success of our children is always at the forefront of any decisions we make as a Board and I am grateful to be part of that.

Michael Houghton (Principal)
Originally born in England, I grew up and attended school in Picton. After graduating from Canterbury University and Christchurch Teachers College, I started my teaching career at Wairoa College.
I have been working in the education sector for more than 25 years, mostly in the North Island and including 2 years at Otamatea High School. Most recently I was Principal of Queen Elizabeth College in Palmerston North.
My passion is providing pathways and opportunities for students to experience success. Important to this is building partnerships with families and whanau as well as the wider community.
I am married, with 2 children still at home. Both attended Dargaville High School. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family, listening to music as well as reading and gardening.

Sadie Cogan
Kia ora,
My whanau moved to Dargaville 5 years ago from Mangawhai. My son attends Dargaville High School and is currently in year 13.
I represented NZ at the 2002 Commonwealth Games and several World Championships and my passion is obviously coaching and mountain biking.
Along with my husband we own and operate 'Time To' the bike shop in Dargaville and we are heavily involved with the Kaipara Cycling Club and Kauri Coast Mountain Bike Park. I have been on a Charitable Track trust and several Club Committees and enjoy the next level of understanding and committing to a school board. I hope to add energy and passion where needed on this board and look forward to working as a team with the board for the better of the staff and pupils.

Laken Kelly
I te taha o tōku matua,
Ko Tokatoka te maunga,
Ko Wairoa te awa,
Ko Pokopoko te taniwha,
Ko Hoeroa te ngaru,
Ko Rangiriri te rākau whakangautai,
Ko Kapehu me Ripia ngā marae,
E noho haumaru ana mātou i te manaakitanga o te mana whenua, o Te Uri O Hau te hapū o Ngāti Whātua.

I am the Staff Representative for 2024 and fulfill this role as I am currently a Kaiako for Te Reo Māori and HOD Māori.
I was born and raised in Auckland with my maternal family and moved my family here in 2009 to reconnect with my paternal family. I have 3 sons who attended DHS (2 graduated) and one daughter who is in Year 12. I have previously served on a Primary School BOT and look forward to working with the current members to provide a safe, inclusive educational and social culture for all our tauira for the benefit of our entire community. Ngā mihi.

Kylie Kelsen
Hello,
I have lived and worked in the Dargaville community for the last 25 years. I live with my husband Selwyn and our two daughters Ella and Madison. Ella graduated Year 13 at DHS in 2022 and Madison started at DHS in 2023.
At Board level I have previously worked as the Secretary for the NZ Plunket Society Northland Area Board, President for the Northern Wairoa Plunket Committee and I was the Northland Area Manager for Plunket Carseats. I have also previously been on the Board for the Early Years Services Hub here in Dargaville when it was first established. I have been the Secretary for the Te Kopuru Swimming Club for several years.
I am a qualified Community Karitane/Facilitator and have worked for NZ Plunket Society Inc working with families with children from new-born to 5 years old with interest and experience in maternal mental health and the wellbeing of new mothers and babies. I have also worked as a Programme Facilitator for NorthAble running the LYNKZ program for adults supporting those with learning, intellectual, physical, or sensory disabilities.
I am looking forward to being a part of the DHS Board and contributing to the challenging and rewarding opportunities that will be presented. I believe that kids need to have a constant nurturing solid foundation and environment and support to give them the best chance possible to have positive meaningful lives as adults. Having all this will be of benefit to the students, their families, the community and the school.
I like to take interest in my children’s education and schools and along with my previous experience on a board I hope to be the parent representative that is needed for this role.