Kylie Murdoch

Kylie Murdoch has called Cromwell home for more than 20 years. In that time, she has worn many hats: teacher, community organiser, small business owner, advocate, parent, and - on occasion - firewood delivery person.

Kylie is a qualified Early Childhood teacher and has also spent the past two decades running a dance school in Cromwell, creating a space where local tamariki can move, grow, and express themselves. Her commitment to supporting whānau runs deep. She coordinates Mums 4 Mums Cromwell, helping parents navigate the ups and downs of raising little ones, and serves as a Consumer Advisor for Te Whatu Ora Southern, ensuring community perspectives help shape local health services.

Alongside her husband, Ivan, she also co-owns Uppercut Firewood in Wānaka - an unexpected venture that started with chopping down a few trees and somehow grew into a family business. When Kylie isn’t working or supporting community initiatives, you’ll usually find her with her family at a Speedway track somewhere in Aotearoa, cheering on Ivan, or supporting the kids’ sporting and outdoor activities.

Kylie joined the Trust because she’s passionate about Cromwell’s future and the wellbeing of the people who live here. She believes strongly in community-led direction - upholding whanaungatanga and manaakitanga so that everything the Trust does strengthens connection, care, and belonging. For Kylie, it’s simple: Cromwell thrives when its people do.