Our Team.
Meet our amazing staff who keep Arcady running smoothly whilst providing our students with the best experience possible. Hover over their faces to learn more about them!
Principal
Sonia
Professor Sonia Mazey
BA(Hons) Leicester; MA Oxon, D.Phil (Oxon)
Sonia Mazey is an adjunct Professor of Public Policy at the University of Canterbury (UC) and former Pro-Vice Chancellor, UC business and Law (2012–20). She is a Board Director of the Asia Pacific Student Accommodation Association (APSAA) and former Chair of the Universities New Zealand (UNZVice Chancellors' Sub-Committee for University Student Pastoral Care (CUSPaC).
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Sonia held senior academic and management positions at Brunel, Cambridge and Oxford Universities in the UK before moving to Christchurch New Zealand in 2008. At UC, she was a Lecturer, Academic Manager and Dean prior to appointment as Pro-Vice-Chancellor. Her research interests include European and EU politics and public policy and she has published extensively in these fields.
Scott
Head Chef
Maragret
Head House Mum
Nadeeka
House Mum
Kristine
Residential Assistant
Bruce
Bruce White
A chartered accountant and company director, Bruce has held senior management positions in both the public and private sectors. Over the last 14 years, he has worked in tertiary education at the Universities of Canterbury and Waikato.
At UC, was Manager of the College of Engineering (2008-2011) and Deputy Registrar
(2011-2019) before moving to Global Manager for Benchmarking and Reputation at Waikato University.
Outside of work, Bruce can generally be found working on the lifestyle block that he and his wife, Debra have called home for the last 20 years.
Assistant Principal
Yash
Sous Chef
Sonya
House Mum
Luke
Residential Assistant
Ollie
Residential Assistant
Eddye
Operations Manager
Eric
Senior Chef
Dee
House Mum
Tom
Residential Assistant
Joel
Residential Assistant
Liv
Community Development Manager
Hillary
Dining Room Assistant
Linda
House Mum
Lauren
Residential Assistant
Bea
Office and Communications Manager
Sapu
Catering Assistant
Kanchana
House Mum
Alex
Residential Assistant
Karl
Garden/Maintenance
Board of Governors
Our lovely board members who help to make Arcady great!
BSc (Hons), Ph.D, CNZM, Board Chair
Tim Bell
Tim Bell is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering at the University of Canterbury. His main area of research is in Computer Science Education, and he was awarded the SIGSCE award for Outstanding Contribution to Computer Science Education in 2017 at the largest computing education conference in the world! He was a awarded a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) in 2024 for his outstanding contribution to Computer Science Education.
Although teaching computer science is his job, Tim also describes it as his passion. He loves to give students a vision for what they really want to do. Tim has always enjoyed working with young people and was an RA at Bishop Julius from 1985 to 1987. He joined the Board in 2005 to continue to be part of creating a home away from home for university students.
Outside of academia, Tim is an active musician, playing keyboard in bands, but also holding an A.T.C.L. in Pipe Organ performance.
Julie Blyth
BA Education
Julie is a past resident of the hall, having resided from 1987 till 1988 and recently joined the Board in 2025. She Completed a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Education at the University of Canterbury in 1991.
She started her career as a primary school teacher before exploring other careers.
Julie has worked as a Business Analysis in Technology for the past 15 years both in Christchurch and Melbourne. She is keen to contribute to the future of Arcady hall to ensure it continues to provide a great place for students to begin their university experience.
Outside work Julie is busy renovating an older home, travelling when she can and spending time with her husband and little dog Diggity.
Sam Kuipers
BSci
Sam was a Residential Assistant for 2 years at Arcady Hall from 2022 to 2023. Taking this position on the board was an opportunity for him to continue contributing to the welfare of the hall and it’s residents and staff. He recently graduated from a BSc majoring in Biology in 2023 at the University of Canterbury.
He is passionate about youth well-being. He is looking to study further as a teacher to provide pastoral support and quality education to future generations.
In his spare time he enjoys social sports, playing the piano, tramping, watching a movie, church activities and socialising with his flatmates and friends.
Tim Lonsdale
B. Com
Tim has been a freelance business consultant since 2015 mostly in the New Zealand agri-sector. Tim’s passion lies in lifting New Zealand’s agricultural products out of commodity markets and into high-value branded goods and services through innovation and marketing.
Tim also has interests in commercial property with a number of associated directorships. Tim studied at Lincoln University completing a Bachelor of Commercial Management in Economics and Marketing. He has worked in a range of industries including tourism, textiles and applied research through to Chief Executive level.
In his spare time, Tim likes to mountain bike, ski and fly-fish and keep fit in the pool.
Peter Roborgh
M.Sc (Hons)
A graduate of Canterbury University and a former Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Peter has governance experience in education and a number of commercial businesses including an ASX listed company he started.
His career history spans senior management and company leadership positions in several different markets, typically for growth businesses launching new propositions or facing significant market change.
Each of his adult children had their first university year in a hall of residence (as he did) and he recognises the meaningful benefits a supportive and enjoyable environment can have at this life stage.
Peter is a strong supporter of maintaining interests beyond academic ones. He particularly enjoys outdoor pursuits and is a keen mountain biker.
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Phil Ryan
B. Com
A graduate of Canterbury University and a former Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Peter has governance experience in education and a number of commercial businesses including an ASX listed company he started.
His career history spans senior management and company leadership positions in several different markets, typically for growth businesses launching new propositions or facing significant market change.
Each of his adult children had their first university year in a hall of residence (as he did) and he recognises the meaningful benefits a supportive and enjoyable environment can have at this life stage.
Peter is a strong supporter of maintaining interests beyond academic ones. He particularly enjoys outdoor pursuits and is a keen mountain biker.
Anne Hindson
Anne is a graduate of Canterbury and Lincoln Universities. She is currently working as a freelance contractor in business development and project management.
Anne has previously held several CEO and Project leadership roles in the tourism, major event, sport and agribusiness sectors. She brings education, management and governance experience in the not-for-profit and private sectors, and a strong knowledge of and passion for young people and their development, having lectured at Lincoln University and Ara Institute of Technology, and more recently as CEO of an agribusiness leadership organisation.
She has experience of halls of residence through her two adult children and through utilising the halls for short courses during university holidays. In her spare time, Anne enjoys both road and mountain biking and touring, plays competitive tennis and enjoys time in the outdoors, or with a good book, dependent on the weather.
BA, MCom, Mgmt
Rt Rev Dr Peter Carrell
Warden
Peter is the Anglican Bishop of Christchurch and Warden of Arcady Hall. After schooling in Canterbury and Otago, Peter studied Mathematics and Philosophy at the University of Canterbury (1978-81). After working and travelling overseas, he then studied Theology at the University of Otago while being resident in Selwyn College, Dunedin (1984-86). Since the end of 1986, Peter has worked as an ordained minister in the Anglican Church in New Zealand and Polynesia in the Dioceses of Christchurch (1987-1990, 2010-present) and of Nelson (1993-2010), with the exception of the years 1990-1993 when he completed doctoral studies at the University of Durham, UK. Eighteen of those years of ministry were spent in theological education and ministry training across the two Dioceses. Peter has been Bishop of Christchurch since February 2019. He is married to Teresa and they have four adult children. In his spare time, Peter follows rugby, cricket and politics, walk and gardens for exercise, and enjoys the company of family and friends for relaxation.
Rev'd Peg Riley
The Rev’d Peg Riley is Associate Priest at St Peter's, Upper Riccarton, Christchurch. Her ministry is rooted in the conviction that God’s love embraces all people, and she delights in helping others connect faith with everyday life through gentleness, honesty, and hope.
Peg was a resident of Bishop Julius Hostel for 3 years for Teachers' College and University.