'From Elite Sport To Purpose-Driven Leadership'

Welcoming Mark Weatherall, CEO of Life Education Trust, to Purposely.

Mark Weatherall has a refreshingly down-to-earth take on how New Zealand prepares young people for life.

He talks openly about something many of us recognise — that a lot of young people, and even adults, haven’t had the chance to build the confidence, knowledge, or habits needed to handle an increasingly complex world.

“We got pocket money, we spent it — that was it,” he laughs, thinking back to his own childhood. But today, with more distractions and pressures than ever, helping the next generation make good choices has never been more important.

Mark leads Life Education Trust, one of New Zealand’s best-known charities, dedicated to helping tamariki develop the skills to make positive choices. After 37 years and reaching more than 86% of schools across the country, the Trust continues to evolve. Mark knows keeping that work strong means supporting local volunteers, maintaining community connections, and finding sustainable funding.

“We need that local input,” he says. At the same time, he’s keen to make things easier for volunteers — suggesting that centralising some functions like fundraising or HR could free them up to focus on what really matters: helping children and communities directly.

Before joining Life Education Trust, Mark spent years leading some of New Zealand’s top sporting organisations, including canoeing and rowing. These are sports where success is measured in milliseconds and medals — and where leading means balancing performance with people, legacy, and pride in representing Aotearoa.

He also led Surf Life Saving New Zealand, a cause close to his heart that combines competition, community service, and coastal safety. It reflects his lifelong love of the ocean and his belief in sport’s ability to build resilience, teamwork, and purpose.

Outside of work, Mark’s been through his own period of reflection and renewal. After a double hip replacement forced him to slow down, he’s been rethinking what matters most — from diving and fishing to simply enjoying time outdoors and with family. “How many useful summers have you got left?” a friend asked him recently. For Mark, it’s not about counting down, but making the most of what’s ahead.

Mark’s approach to leadership isn’t about big slogans or grand gestures. It’s about being practical, honest, and grounded — supporting people who do the work and helping young people build real skills for life. In a space that can be full of buzzwords, his clarity and common sense stand out.