HE TāNGATA, HE TāNGATA, HE TāNGATA

Amorangi

Ngāpuhi

People leader and developer, Policy Maker, Rangatahi Employment Specialist, Government, NGO and Corporate Executive Management, Philanthropic Strategist, Social Services Expert, Activist and Proud Nan.

Hailing proudly from the Hokianga, Tanya has had a prolific and varied career from social worker, policy analyst, cafe owner, to executive manager. Tanya has built a rich career with significant networks that she leverages to get the best outcomes.  She is passionate about social change and enjoys spending as much time with her whanau, especially her mokopuna

Pou Tūhono

Ngāpuhi

Experienced Youth Leader and Mentor, Facilitator, Presenter, Community Advocacy and has done significant work in South Auckland with government, schools and youth organisations. 

Bryan is from the Utakura in the Hokianga. He is passionate about connecting and supporting young people to become the very best versions of themselves. He is a master facilitator, trainer, career and sports consultant who excels at building rapport with both large groups and individuals.

Pou Tokomanawa

Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Pūkenga

 Employment Relations, Operational Training, IT and Infrastructure, Data Analysis, Pastoral care, Low and Slow  BBQer, Disruptor, and Comic Book Nerd.

Lenny comes from an operations training and employment relationship background, and has a passion to see Māori grow and thrive in their work. Lenny's work and approach is evidence based and driven by data.  When not working you can find him building electronic gizmos, 3D printing stuff and reading comics

Pou Hāpai /GM Programmes

 Ngāpuhi, Te Kapotai 

 Ko Lynette ia. She was born in Tokoroa with whakapapa to Te Tai Tokerau and lives in Tuakau with her husband Graeme. She has four adult children and seven mokopuna. With over 35 years’ experience across South Auckland in public, private, and community sectors, 

Lynette brings a pragmatic approach to innovation that delivers lasting outcomes.

She is passionate about supporting whānau, communities, and organisations to succeed, and is excited to work with Hāpai Tūhono. Lynette is guided by:
“He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata.”

  Kaituitui Tautoko Pakihi 

  Ngāti Maniapoto

 Faye is a wāhine Māori, guided by aroha and purpose. With nearly 30 years’ experience across education, logistics, and customer service, she brings calm, care, and capability to every space she is in. Most recently at Māngere College, Faye held multiple roles — Principal’s PA, Office Administrator, Board Secretary, and proudly, Whaea to MC rangatahi.

People are at the heart of her mahi, and she supports others with manaaki, warmth, and a good dose of humour. Faye is a proud māmā and nanny, happiest spending time with her whānau, and a quiet UFC and Muay Thai fan with elite-level couch commentary.

“You are a child of the universe… therefore, be at peace with your soul.” — Desiderata

Kaiwhakaaweawe / Impact Lead

 Ngāti Konohi 

Dr. Lynette has dedicated more than twenty years to career development in Aotearoa, working as an employment advisor, career counsellor, senior lecturer, kaupapa Māori career development scholar, and university leader, and most recently as a researcher and evaluator in the education and philanthropic sectors. She is known for listening with care and curiosity to people’s pūrākau as they explore where — or whether — career fits within their lives. Career counselling remains at the heart of her mahi.

Raised in Whāngārā-mai-tāwhiti as the eldest child and brought up by her grandparents and great-grandparents, Dr. Lynette draws on these formative experiences to guide her work. She is grounded in the whakataukī “Ka tū tonu koe i roto i te aroha,” standing in love as a call to act with compassion, integrity, and kindness.

  Kaiwhakahaere Tuarua

Ngāpuhi

 Ko Zatrius Tukerangi Paku ia, a proud ex-rangatahi of the Mana Tūroa programme.

With experience in customer service, warehousing, and veterinary nursing, she also holds a New Zealand Level 4 Certificate in Real Estate.

Zatrius is passionate about housing assistance, property management, and advocacy, believing that safe, well-managed homes are the foundation of strong Māori and Pacific communities. Guided by the whakaaro “Rome wasn’t built in a day,” she values patience, growth, and protecting what is built together.

As a proud kuri māmā and mātāmua, Zatrius strives to be a strong wahine role model, committed to breaking generational cycles and creating positive change.

Kaihautū  Rangatahi

  Ngāti Kuri, Ngāti Porou

 Ko Rob ia, born and raised in Ōtara. He is an experienced tutor, mentor, facilitator, and performer, having worked directly with rangatahi for over 20 years. Rob has served as Music Director at Excel School of Performing Arts, Gateway Coordinator at Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate for nearly 15 years, and more recently has supported rangatahi involved in the youth justice system.

Rob values the opportunity to walk alongside young people, supporting their growth and positive change. 

He is married to his beautiful Samoan Queen, Anna, and together they are proud parents to seven amazing tamariki.

 Kaiārahi Rangatahi 

 Ngāti Tamaoho, Ngāti Paoa, Ngāti Whanaunga, and Te Whanau-a-Apanui 

 Ko Shyanne ia, born and raised in Hauraki with roots in Ngāti Tamaoho, Ngāti Paoa, Ngāti Whanaunga, and Te Whānau-a-Apanui. She brings over seven years’ experience working with tamariki, rangatahi, and Māori communities, specialising in programmes that celebrate culture, growth, and empowerment.

A passionate rugby player and sports enthusiast, Shyanne brings energy and team spirit to everything she does. She is a proud mum to a beautiful boy who inspires her every day, and is dedicated to supporting rangatahi success through community, te ao Māori, and collaboration.

 Quality Assurance

 Ngāpuhi, Te Kapotai 

Janina was born in Tokoroa, raised in South Auckland, and now lives in Tuakau with her husband Jarhn and their two tamariki.

Janina brings experience in quality assurance, organisational systems, and governance support within kaupapa Māori environments. At Hāpai Tūhono, she works across the organisation to strengthen processes, ensure compliance, and support continuous improvement.

She is passionate about contributing to meaningful change that reduces inequities and creates sustainable pathways for whānau. Through her role, she strengthens the systems that support others to succeed — mā te huruhuru ka rere te manu - with feathers, the bird can fly. 

 Kaiwhakahaere Manaaki Tangata (Social Service Manager)

Ngāpuhi

Ko Jonsal Tautari tōna ingoa. He wahine Ngāpuhi ia.

Jonsal is a qualified social worker, a proud Ngāpuhi wahine, and a mum to two beautiful tamariki. Whānau is the heartbeat of her world and the foundation of everything she does.

With a lifelong passion for rugby league, Jonsal has been honoured to represent her culture through the Indigenous All Stars campaign. She now gives back to her Pukekohe community, working in youth and women’s rugby league spaces, empowering the next generation and supporting those most in need through her mahi.

Jonsal is guided by the whakaaro:
“Ko te whānau te manawa o tōku ao, ko rātou te take o taku oranga.”
My family is the heartbeat of my world; they are the reason for my life.

  Kaihāpai Rangatahi

Tainui, Ngati Haua

Maiora Kaukau is a seasoned professional with a unique blend of expertise. As a qualified butcher with 25 years in the retail industry, Maiora has mastered the art of precision and customer service. 

His commitment extends beyond his trade; for 20 years, he has been a rugby coach, shaping the lives of players aged 8 to 21. Maiora's passion lies in nurturing our rangatahi, guiding them towards positive personal growth and a resilient mindset.

His life's work is supported by his whanau —his wahine and two sons who are his driving force.

Kaihāpai Rangatahi

 Ngāti Kahungnunu, Tūwharetoa, Te Atiawa, Tugafuafua ki Hāmoa and Arorangi ki Rarotonga 

 Ko Daniel ia, born and raised in Flaxmere, Hastings, and now based in Tāmaki Makaurau. He is a registered teacher with experience leading the Alternative Education Department at Māngere College and previously served as Learning Leader at InZone Education. Daniel also teaches Bicultural Social Services in adult education at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa and is currently completing a Master of Applied Indigenous Knowledge, focusing on Indigenous approaches to youth development and education.

Daniel is passionate about creating culturally grounded, safe spaces, and is excited to join Hāpai Tūhono as a Kaihāpai Rangatahi, supporting rangatahi to thrive and realise their potential.

Daniel is guided by:
E tipu, e rea, mō ngā rā o tō ao

  Kaihāpai Rangatahi

Ngāpuhi

He uri ahau nō Ngāpuhi, a wahine Māori e ū ana ki te whānau. I grew up in South Auckland, where I continue to raise my tamariki. For 14 years, I’ve worked in community and social services, building meaningful relationships and serving our people.

My kaupapa is walking alongside rangatahi, supporting them to stand fully in their mana motuhake, embrace their identity, and realize their potential.

Kua pū te ruha, ka hao te rangatahi – mō tātou, ā, mō ngā uri ā muri ake nei.
Tehei mauri ora

    Kaihāpai Rangatahi

 Sharelle was raised in West Auckland and now calls Pukekohe home. She is Samoan from Vailele and Saleimoa, and Tahitian from Papenoo. After exploring a range of roles, Sharelle found her passion in working with rangatahi, supporting their growth, connection, and pathways to success.

Sport — especially rugby league and softball — has been central to her journey, helping her build community, lifelong friendships, and spaces to be fully herself. She is passionate about empowering young people to dream big and make it happen.

Up da Wahs!

Attendance Service Manager

 Ko Sione Sione ia. He is a New Zealand–born Samoan raised in Papakura. He holds the Tulāfale title of Aogamalie from his father’s family in Puipa’a, Upolu, and proudly carries his mother’s aiga from Sa’asa’ai, Savai’i. His strong Pasifika identity shapes his values and approach to leadership.

Sione brings extensive experience across community, health, and sport sectors in South Auckland. A former professional and semi-professional rugby player, he now coaches at grassroots and representative levels, mentoring and empowering young leaders to create positive change.

He lives in Papakura with his wife, Tuimaseve Cissy, and their two dogs, Rokkit and Jettson.

   Kaiawhina Ākonga – Attendance Services

 Ngaati Maniapoto, Ngaati Wai

 Ko Jaelyn ia, born and raised in Flaxmere, Hastings — the “Promised Land” — where strong whānau and community values have shaped who she is. Guided by the whakataukī “Mā te huruhuru, ka rere te manu,” she believes in uplifting and resourcing people so they can reach their full potential.

Jaelyn is passionate about empowering Māori and Pasifika communities, advocating for equity and access, and supporting people to pursue their boldest aspirations. Outside of mahi, she enjoys the gym, spending time with her energetic three-year-old nephew, and catching up on some well-earned rest.

   Kaiawhina Ākonga – Attendance Services

 Ko Larren ia, born in South Africa and raised in Aotearoa from the age of six. He brings nearly four years’ experience supporting rangatahi in South Auckland, including work in the attendance space, partnering with whānau to reduce barriers and strengthen pathways back into education.

A lifelong sport enthusiast, particularly soccer, Larren uses sport as a tool to connect with and inspire young people. 

He is a proud father to his 12-year-old son, his daily motivation, and is committed to helping rangatahi thrive alongside whānau and the wider community.

   Kaiawhina Ākonga – Attendance Services

Fakaalofa lahi atu. Ko Rocky ia, a proud second-generation Niuean, born and raised in Ōtara. His journey has been shaped by Ōtara’s vibrant urban culture and music scene, alongside extensive experience in youth development, including youth justice, community initiatives such as Ōtara Bike Life, and seven years as a Senior Youth Mentor and Coach with The Solomon Group.

As Kaiawhina Ākonga with Hāpai Tūhono Whānau, Rocky is dedicated to supporting  ākonga and whānau through care, guidance, and lived experience. He is also a proud partner and father to a five-year-old daughter.

   Kaiawhina Ākonga – Attendance Services

 Tatakamotonga, Tongatapu and Felemea, Haʻapai 

 Ko Loseli ia, born and raised in Ōtara. He has experience in logistics, warehousing, and forklift operation, where he developed a strong work ethic and reliability, and has since found his passion in supporting rangatahi.

For the past two years, Loseli has worked as a youth mentor, walking alongside young people to support their growth, wellbeing, and development, creating safe and respectful spaces where they feel seen and valued. Guided by his faith, he has also served in youth leadership within his church for five years.

Loseli is married to his Tongan wife, and together they are blessed with two children.

   Kaiawhina Ākonga – Attendance Services   

Ngai Tahu, Ngaati Toa Rangatira, 

Houma ki Tonga

 Ko Selah ia, born and raised in Onehunga and now rooted in South Auckland. She is a youth worker with experience in attendance and truancy, supporting rangatahi and whānau to navigate barriers, strengthen connections with education, and access the right supports.

As a proud Māori, Tongan, and Irish wāhine, Selah is passionate about empowering rangatahi to recognise their strengths and potential. Her mahi is guided by lived experience, strong community values, and a commitment to creating safe, culturally grounded spaces where young people can thrive as themselves.

   Kaiawhina Ākonga – Attendance Services   

 Ko John ia. He is of Samoan and Fijian heritage and was educated at De La Salle College. Born and raised in Māngere, South Auckland, he now resides in Clendon Park.

John brings close to four years of experience in the attendance space, working alongside whānau to support the re-engagement of tamariki back into kura.

John is passionate about walking alongside rangatahi, empowering them to recognise and realise their potential. Outside of mahi, he values spending time with his family and enjoys watching sport.