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The DSA represents a community of distilled spirits manufacturers, along with associated groups and individuals, all passionate about showcasing New Zealand-made spirits and advocating for the collective interests of local producers. Our purpose is to protect the integrity and authenticity of New Zealand-made distilled spirits, champion the shared interests of local distillers, and promote our products both nationally and internationally. We also encourage responsible consumption, set industry standards for quality and consistency, and foster professional development through education, collaboration, and information sharing. |
Our Board
Distilled Spirits Aotearoa affairs of the organisation are managed by the DSA board elected by the DSA members at the Annual General Meeting. The Distilled Spirits Aotearoa Board is: |
Sarah Bonoma - Chair Sarah co-founded Dancing Sands Distillery in 2016 and has 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. |
Nikki Oesterle - Secretary 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. |
Henry Caulton - Treasurer 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 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 been a member of the DSA Board for over 4 years and has made significant contributions to the team, from the DSA Conference, to Excise and everything in between. |
David Hawk 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. 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. |
Jo James Jo James is... |
Roanne Parker 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 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. | 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 The Association contract the administration services of Lynda Booth, Administration |
Constitution & By-Laws |
DSA Constitution Our constitution defines the purpose, management, administration and membership of Distilled Spirits Aotearoa (DSA). |
Email: info@distilledspiritsaotearoa.org.nz |
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(c) 2025 - Distilled Spirits Aotearoa (NZ) Inc
Registered office:
– C/o Tandem Group, 369 Devon Street East, Strandon, New Plymouth 4310