About Us:

Sarah Bonoma – Co-Founder, Dancing Sands Distillery

Sarah co-founded Dancing Sands Distillery in 2016 and have been Managing Director since 2019, responsible for all aspects of the business both in NZ and in export markets. Prior to Dancing Sands Sarah had a career in corporate IT, including as the Head of Data at Contact Energy in Wellington and running large project teams across finance, HR and customer analytics for Procter & Gamble in the UK, USA and China.

Henry Caulton – CFO, Cardrona Distillery

Henry is a Chartered Accountant with over 12 years of experience working in the accounting and finance industry including 10 years of Corporate Finance, M&A, FP&A and investment analysis experience. He started his career at PwC (Audit) and then KPMG (Corporate Finance) in Auckland. After moving to London in 2016, he started working for a large UK based Private Office (>£1bn), and then worked for a SaaS tech startup and helped them raise growth capital via IPO and listing on the UK AIM. After technology he moved to coffee – working with Black Sheep Coffee (the fastest growing specialty coffee company in the UK) as CFO and a Non-Executive Director on the Board. He returned to NZ and is now based in Arrowtown, where he has been working as the CFO for Cardrona Distillery since 2022.

Soren Crabb – Head Distiller and Owner, 1919 Distilling

Soren Crabb has lived in Auckland for the last 10 years. He is currently Head Distiller & owner of 1919 Distilling, and before this worked in the tourism sector overseas for 9 years. Soren has enjoyed watching the collaborative style in which the DSA Working Group has been formed, and wanted to join in and contribute towards his industry by further supporting this organisation. Outside of work Soren enjoys and makes the most of life through (Sailing, kitesurfing and good food).

Tom Finn – Herrick Creek Distillery

Tom has managed Herrick Creek Distillery for the last four years. Like many in the industry, he started in his garage, but last year moved into a small industrial space to increase
production. His focus has been on crafting North American-style spirits with a Kiwi twist, using primarily
New Zealand corn.

In June 2024, he purchased The Juniper Collective, Christchurch and transformed it into the
country’s first boutique dedicated entirely to New Zealand-made spirits. Tom also produces a podcast, Distil-Nation NZ, dedicated to helping consumers discover and understand the local spirits scene.

David Hawk – Owner, Parched Garnishes

David Hawk is a 30-year veteran of the hospitality industry. In his former on-premise life he managed many of Aotearoa’s most popular venues, winning New Zealand Bar Operator of the Year twice, and multiple Lewisham Awards, including Outstanding Hospitality Personality. David is also a commercial lawyer with broad commercial acumen, as well as Health & Safety and compliance experience related to distilling. To many, David is best known as the owner of Suite and Crow Bar, as well as for his work pioneering the premiumisation of spirits in New Zealand and galvanising the bartending community, something which remains important to him. His recent work with local distilleries brought him back to the spirits industry, and he currently owns Parched Garnishes, a premium garnish manufacturing business supporting the New Zealand spirits industry. David is passionate about taste and flavour and perfectly balanced drinks. He has been both a competitor and judge on many national cocktail competitions over the years, and was recently one of the Head Judges at the DSA New Zealand Spirits Awards. He is committed to the continued strategic growth and standardisation of the spirits industry in New Zealand, placing it amongst the best internationally.

Nikki Oesterle – Papaiti Gin

Nikki is the co-founder and managing director of Papaiti Gin. With over 17 years experience as brand and digital marketing expert across various industries she brings a wide range of skills to the table. Nikki holds two Master degrees (Business 2015 & Political Sciences 2007) and passed her WSET Level 3 Spirits examination in August 2023. With Angela Davis from Glorious Lands she co-founded the DSA Women’s network creating a safe and supportive space for the inspiring women in New Zealand’s distillery scene. Since 2023 Nikki has been on the board of Mainstreet Whanganui following her passion of connecting people and supporting small local businesses to create a lively and attractive CBD.

Roanne Parker – Waiheke Whiskey

Roanne has been an integral part of Waiheke Whisky since 2010. She has excitedly opened the crate of our first fermentation tank, managed all the accounts, marketed Waiheke Whiskey, administered the day-to-day management of the dry goods, aging stock, new product development and and everything in-between. Roanne is a qualified Board director undertaking the IOD Certification in Director in 2018. She has served as a non-executive Director on government and private sector boards. These include Lotto New Zealand, Metservice, Pulse Energy, Creative HQ New Zealand. In addition Roanne served as Director of her own successful companies for the past 30 years, managing their growth to maintenance and exit.

Current Board Members
Soren Crabb (1919 Distilling):- Secretary: May 2020 – October 2024; Board Member October 2024 –
Henry Caulton (Cardrona Distillery):- Board Member: June 2023 – October 2023; Treasurer: October 2023 –
David Hawk (Parched Garnishes):- Board Member: June 2023 –
Sarah Bonoma (Dancing Sands): – Chair: October 2024 –
Nikki Oesterle (Papaiti Gin): – Secretary October 2024 –
Roanne Parker (Waiheke Whiskey): – Board Member: September 2024 –
Tom Finn (Herrick Creek): – Board Member: September 2024 –

Past Board Members

Richard Wilson (Sandymount Distillery):- Committee member: May 2021 – June 2022; Chair: June 2022 – September 2024
Antony Michalik (The Spirits Workshop):- Committee member: Sept 2018 – September 2024
Matt Bridge (Lunatic & Lover):- Committee member: May 2021 – September 2024
Angela Davis (Glorious Lands):- Committee member: November 2023 – September 2024
Sue James (Juno Gin):- Chair: Sept 2018 – June 2022; Treasurer: Dec 2018 – Oct 2023
Wayne Chowles (Kaimai Brewing and Distilling):- Committee member: June 2022 – June 2023
Jamel Barber (Cardrona Distillery):- Committee member: March 2022 – April 2023
Ben Bonoma (Dancing Sands Distillery):- Treasurer: Sept 2018 – Dec 2018
Maria Grau (Rough Hands Ltd):- Committee member: Sept 2018 – June 2019
Chris Barlow (Barlovska Batch Liqueurs):- Committee member: Feb 2019 – May 2020.
Theo Arndt (Cardrona Distillery):- Committee member: May 2020 – July 2020
Grant Finn (The NZ Whisky Company):- Secretary: Sept 2018 – May 2020. Committee member: April 2020 – August 2020, Independent Committee member: August 2020 – April 2021
Brent Robinson (batch 10):- Committee member: Sept 2018 – April 2021
Isla Sherrington (Cardrona Distillery):- Committee member: May 2021 – March 2022
Rob Auld (Auld Distillery):- Committee member: Sept 2018 – May 2021