Executive Board

Nicola Manning is the founder and principal designer of Nicola Manning Design, an Auckland-based interior design studio specialising in luxury residential interiors, large-scale renovations, new builds, apartments, kitchens and bathrooms.

With more than 23 years’ experience, Nicola is known for her considered, highly detailed approach to design and her ability to create timeless, functional and beautifully resolved homes. Her work combines strong spatial planning, refined materiality, technical knowledge and a deep understanding of how people live.

Nicola is a multi-award-winning designer, with recognition from the NKBA Excellence in Design Awards and other leading national and international design programmes. Her recent accolades include Supreme Bathroom Design at the 2025 NKBA Excellence in Design Awards, along with further recognition for outstanding bathroom and kitchen design.

A Professional Member of the Designers Institute of New Zealand, an Elite Designer of NKBA and a long-standing member of the NKBA, Nicola has contributed to the industry as a designer, judge, mentor and board member. As President of the NKBA Executive Board, she is committed to supporting design excellence, strengthening the kitchen and bathroom industry, and helping guide the organisation’s strategic direction.

Nicola holds an Associate Diploma of Interior Design and Decoration from Rhodec International, and a Bachelor of Commerce and Administration, and has completed specialist NKBA kitchen design training.

Belle brings more than twenty years of experience spanning interior design, joinery, product specification, and strategic industry development to her role on the NKBA Executive Board. Her career reflects a rare blend of creative expertise, commercial acumen, and governance capability, positioning her as a valuable contributor at board level.

Belle began her career after completing a Diploma in Interior Design, moving into a designer and detailer role with a major kitchen manufacturer. This early experience established her deep technical understanding of joinery, manufacturing processes, and the practical realities of high‑performance kitchen design. Following her relocation to Wellington in 2012, Belle spent six years as a lead designer before joining Häfele New Zealand as an Account Manager. Over the past eight years, she has progressed into the role of National Design & Specification Manager, and is now based in Christchurch, where she partners closely with architects and designers and her work centres on guiding product specification, elevating design outcomes, and supporting the adoption of innovative solutions across residential and commercial projects.

Alongside her role at Hafele, Belle operates her own design studio, Bosca Design, and has recently completed the New Zealand Diploma in Kitchen Design, reinforcing her commitment to continuous professional development.

Belle's governance contributions over the last 4 years reflect a strong commitment to industry advancement, education pathways, and the development of emerging talent.

Alexis is a Platinum Designer of NKBA and has been involved in the kitchen and bathroom industry both as a designer and B2B Kitchen and Bathroom Product Sales and training since 1998.

Inspired by design along with many years of experience in the renovation and building industry, Alexis enjoys sharing her expertise, creativity and knowledge with clients to create beautiful and functional spaces to live and work in.

Being an active member of NKBA, her roles have included Auckland Chapter Committee, NKBA Executive Board, and Certified Designers Society Board Member. She is currently Chair of the Designers of NKBA Advisory Group.

Alexis has been involved with the DNKBA Scholarships and the Scholarship Students over the last few years, contacting them regularly throughout the year, encouraging and helping them with any challenges they may be facing.

Alexis also helps students wanting to pursue a career in this exciting industry by mentoring, educating, and facilitating on the job training.

Michael Hawkins has a solid background in the machinery industry, with a focus on manufacturing for the kitchen and furniture sectors. His work at SCM laid the foundation for his expertise. In 2009, he joined Blum to initiate Blum NZ, demonstrating his leadership and industry knowledge.

Michael’s drive for innovation shapes his professional journey, and he actively supports NKBA’s Kitchen and Bathroom Design students through Blum’s education partnership with NKBA.

Dr Hamish Ross, born in 1960 in Te Awamutu, is a former commercial lawyer and an internationally recognised America’s Cup legal expert, who with his wife Samantha, has owned for the past 10 years Elite Kitchens and Cabinets Limited, a 66-year old business based in Papakura, Auckland.

Hamish’s particular interest in joining the NKBA Executive Board is to help to support cabinetmaking businesses at a challenging time for the industry. He would like to see a voluntary programme of confidential benchmarking of business metrics to help to lift the industry for the benefit and advancement of owners, as well as business mentoring programmes to help assist members and their businesses. He has promoted the documenting of some basic industry standards we all work to with, to have a seal of approval from NKBA to assist its members as a recognised base minimum standard.

Hamish has been on several boards in New Zealand and overseas and is currently a member of the Auckland Maritime Foundation, a charity that manages Half Moon Bay Marina and gives around $500,000 a year to maritime related community charities and activities. He is a maritime conservationist and has been actively advocating for more marine reserves. He holds a doctorate (in law) as well as undergraduate degrees, including a business degree.

Hamish restores and races classic yachts in his spare time and is one of the founders and has been the Patron of the Classic Yacht Association of New Zealand for several decades.

Reuben owns and manages his own joinery business in Queenstown, Formatt Joinery, and previously sat on the Executive for the Construction Growth Foundation (formerly BCITO and BCTF) and has served on the National Executive for Master Joiners.

Reuben's business trains BCITO apprentices, and he assisted Waihanga Ara Rau in the Technical Advisory Group for Unit Standards in Joinery. He has over 20 years of business management experience from FMCG, Manufacturing, Heavy Industrial Engineering – servicing the construction industry, defence, automotive and off-highway equipment sectors.

Melanie Sa’u is a Platinum Designer of NKBA and an active member of the DNKBA Advisory Group, where she contributes to shaping industry standards, supporting the design community, and elevating the quality of kitchen and bathroom design across New Zealand.

With a New Zealand Diploma in Kitchen Design and over 12 years in the industry, she brings a well-rounded perspective to the group. A multi award-winning designer, her experience extends from manufacturing through to design, giving her a strong understanding of how projects are resolved in practice.

Her work spans concept through to completion, grounded in both design intent and technical execution, allowing her to offer insight that reflects real-world application.