Our People
Screen Hawke's Bay has a dedicated team ready to work with your production.
We are your connection to local government, private owners and the experts in all things screen in Hawke's Bay.
Daniel Betty - Board Chair
Daniel is an actor, director, producer and educational specialist. He has worked extensively in the UK, Australia and New Zealand. He has a Bachelor of Performing and Screen Arts from Unitec in Auckland and a Post Graduate Diploma in Secondary Teaching.
His recent works include; WHAT LIES BETWEEN, as producer and lead actor, this feature film explores Jim a writer who suffers from psychogenic amnesia and he is trapped living a key moment in his life; OPIA, where he was producer and an actor (security guard), a short film exploring hip-hop and graffiti culture as two teenagers connect in a disconnected world; FRISKY, as a producer, a transgender queer story about acceptance in rural New Zealand; TWITCH, casting and actor coach and actor (Art Collector) a short-film about a painter with an autonomous left-hand that paints masterpieces.
Daniel is currently the Creative Director for Dream Big, Producer at Kotiri Productions, Manager at Kahurangi Toi Atea, National Screen Skills Training Programme and owner of No8 Studios . He sits on a number of boards Screen Hawke’s Bay (Chair), Ngā Toi Creative Hawke’s Bay and Kahurangi Maori Dance Theatre Company.
Gilly Lawrence - Deputy Chair
Originally working in film lighting Gilly Lawrence has spent 30+ years working with leading film makers to create amazing imagery in some of New Zealand most loved films and international productions. Whether it be overcoming challenges shooting on the remote East Cape for the heartwarming film “BOY” or on large scale productions like Netflix’s “The Power of the Dog” or Amazon Prime’s “The Wilds” utilising the latest LED and lighting technologies.
Working on over 1000 TVC productions helping heavyweight international production companies create commercials to market some of the worlds premier products. These product heavy commercial shoots really helped Gilbert understand what is important in presenting product in the best light and how the Worlds best compose their “pack shots”.
Yvonne Lorkin - Secretary
Yvonne Lorkin has played an active role in Hawke’s Bay’s regional film office since 2023, joining the board in 2024.
While best known for her work in New Zealand’s wine media and trade, her past life revolved around working for record companies, 95bFM, MTV, managing bands, making videos and working on album and tour publicity. She’s a stage and screen actor, the founder of famed Auckland-based voiceover talent agency Bigmouth, and she also founded Thirsty Media, a production company responsible for creating the popular lifestyle TV series Thirsty Work.
A proud Hawkesbaylien and a newly-elected Hastings District Councillor, Yvonne has enormous enthusiasm for our region as a truly excellent location for every type of screen project, she’s deeply connected with our local screen industry professionals and committed to fostering a film-friendly Hawke’s Bay.
Doug Bradshaw - Treasurer
Doug is a Chartered Accountant and Director at Shepherd Hensman Ltd.
With a career in the accounting industry spanning back to 2006 Doug brings extensive expertise in tax advisory services, particularly within the property investment sector.
His work focuses on delivering strategic tax and advisory solutions that support clients in our range of industries.
He provides financial and strategic advice for Screen Hawkes Bay.
Kate Powis - Board Member
Kate Powis is an award‑winning screenwriter and children’s librarian based in Ahuriri/Napier. A New York Film Academy alum, she specialises in character‑driven stories with heart, humour, and strong female leads.
For over five years she has led the Hawke’s Bay Screenwriting Group, championing local storytellers while developing her own internationally recognised work. Her feature scripts have earned multiple accolades, including Best Comedy Screenplay and Best Pacing at the New York Script Awards, and Best Female Screenwriter at the Hollywood International Indie Screenplay Awards.
Kate wrote the award‑winning short Twitch and served as script consultant on Opia. She’s passionate about creating pathways for local creatives to grow, collaborate, and tell bold stories of their own.
She believes great storytelling starts with the community, and she’s committed to helping that community thrive.
Leo Koziol - Board Member
Leo Koziol (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Rakaipaaka) is founder and director of the Wairoa Māori Film Festival. It is the longest-running indigenous film festival of New Zealand and takes place in a traditional marae (Māori assembly house) every year.
Leo Koziol worked as cultural advisor in the Ministry of Maori Development and curates short films for the New Zealand International Film Festival (Ngā Whanaunga Māori Pasifika programme). He also curates for various film festivals in Canada, Italy, Polynesia, the United States and Australia.
Leo is Indigenous Editor for Letterboxd Journal, and interviews Native filmmakers all over the world. He is the subject of the short film Native in Nuhaka by award winning filmmaker Hiona Henare.
In 2019, he was presented with the Te Aupounamu Māori in Screen Excellence Award. In 2020, he was a guest film expert in the visitor programme of the Goethe Institute at the Berlinale film festival.
In 2026, he is mentor to the Indigenous Film Criticism Fellowship of the Banff Institute, imagineNATIVE film festival and Arctic Indigenous Film Fund.
Leonie Wallwork - Board Member
Leonie Wallwork is the Lead Consultant and Director of Wallwork Consulting, bringing extensive experience in organisational development, workplace wellbeing, and strategic HR. With a strong background in building positive, inclusive, and high-performing workplace cultures, she
supports organisations aligning values, behaviours, and strategy in a way that supports both people and performance.
Leonie has worked across a wide range of industries and roles, helping teams navigate change, strengthen leadership, and create sustainable environments where
individuals and organisations can thrive. She is a skilled facilitator, known for her engaging, practical, and people- centred approach. Alongside her consultancy work, Leonie is a committed
advocate for good governance and capability-building in the not-for-profit sector, and a volunteer business mentor with Business Mentors NZ. She is also a member of the NZ Institute of Directors and is passionate about contributing to meaningful change at all levels of an organisation.