Meet the staff
Waikohu MelbourneEvents & Communications CoordinatorIUVENTUS/HWC/START
Ko Tūhoe, Ko Ngāti Porou ōku Iwi |  |
Reikura MelbourneMata/Youth CoachSTART Whana TūPH: 06 355 5143 Ko Taiarahia te Maunga Kia Ora! |  |
Kelly MavorTeam Manager/Youth CoachSTART Whana TūBSW/SWRB PH: 06 355 5143 Tēnā koutou, I began my journey with START Youth Service as a Youth Case Worker at the end of 2018 when I finished my Social Work degree at Massey University. I am forever grateful for the opportunity to work with our rangatahi and learn about what their dreams and aspirations are. The most rewarding part of my job is empowering rangatahi to realise their potential, and walking alongside them to achieve their goals. "He aroha whakatō, he aroha puta mai." |  |
Hikmatus TalumepaTeam Lead/Youth CoachSTART Whana TūPH: 06 355 5143 Tēnā koutou katoa I have had the utmost privilege and blessing to join the incredible team at START, and be a part of an organisation that champions community kinship and positive transformation. My intrinsic values lie within building relationships and to interpersonally connect with our rangatahi. It is a long-standing passion of mine to inspire and influence our youth to achieve their full potential, goals and dreams. |  |
Mkylah WilsonYouth CoachSTART Whana TūPH: 06 355 5143 Kia Ora! My name is Mkylah, I have only recently started my job as a Youth Coach at START in October 2022. I am amazed at what my fellow co-workers do for our youth every day, helping and supporting people has always been a passion of mine, especially our young people – coming from a MSD background at Study Link I am excited to expand my knowledge and learn more about what being a youth coach entails. |  |
Lottie SavageYouth CoachSTART Whana TūPH: 06 355 5143 Tēnā koutou, I became a part of the team in 2021 as a Youth Case Worker. I was born and raised in the top of the South Island but have been settled in the Manawatu since late 2019. I’m excited to work with the rangatahi of the Manawatu, helping support them to achieve their goals and participate fully in their own lives! |  |
Nicci SmithYouth CoachSTART Whana TūPH: 06 355 5143 Kia ora koutou, "Knowing others is intelligence. |  |
Marjorie CashellYouth CoachSTART Whana TūPH: 06 355 5143 Ko Aorangi me Maungataniwha ōku maunga Kia Ora, “Poipoia te kakano. Kia puawai.” |  |
Anjali Naran-ButlerHWC Services ManagerHighbury Whānau CentrePH: 06 358 0504 Kia ora! "Ehara taku toa it te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini." |  |
Jenine ScoonHWC Transition Team LeaderHighbury Whānau CentrePH: 06 825 6267 E toru oire roto toku iwi E toru oire roto toku iwi Kuki Arani Whakatauki "Te maata I taau ka Oranga ko te.Maata rai ia I taau ka rauka." Kia Orana |  |
Michael RongoHWC Transition WorkerHighbury Whānau CentrePH: 06 825 6267 Ko Kapakapanui me Whitireia ngā maunga, Tēnā koutou, "Ahakoa he iti whetū ki runga ki te rangi nui pōkēkēao ūhia kia ngaro, e kore e ngaro!" |  |
Astryr HalliganHWC Transition WorkerHighbury Whānau CentrePH: 06 825 6267 Ko Wai Au, Tēnā koutou, Talofa Lava, I became part of the team in March 2022 as a Youth Transitions Worker and have a background in Social work, particularly in the education sector. I am half Samoan and half English and come with a lot of life experience that helps me closely relate to those whom I work with. I know that it’s not always easy being a teenager and am passionate about supporting our rangatahi through any struggles they may face and aiding them to achieve their hopes and dreams in a holistic manner. I gain enjoyment from seeing those in my local community thrive! |  |
Daniel-Tavita FryerHWC Transition WorkerHighbury Whānau CentrePH: 06 825 6267 Talofa Lava, “Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all the darkness.” |  |
Sandra CarrollHWC Administrator/ Youth WorkerHighbury Whānau CentrePH: 06 358 0504 Kia ora! I have been a staff member at the Highbury Whanau Centre since 2002. Having started as a volunteer, I secured a position as a Youth Worker in the Alternative Education program in 2003 and have worked alongside young people in that role since then. I hold a qualification in Youth Work, and have extensive training in Adolescent Brain Development, AOD education, Sexual Health and Administration. I am the HWC Administrator, and I run Reception as the ‘Hub of HDUB’. I am dedicated to supporting young people through the difficulties they may face by helping them to reach their potential. I LOVE my job. | .jpg) |
Jodie Matenga-PhilipsW.A.I.O.R.A Community Development CoordinatorHighbury Whānau CentreBA(ECE) PH: 06 358 0504 Ko Remutaka me Tuhirangi ōku maunga. "Ko te pae tawhiti, whāia kia tata, |  |
Morgan EmeryHead of Teaching and Learning - Te Hiringa Alternative EducationHighbury Whānau CentrePH: 06 358 0504 Ko Tainui toku Waka I am a passionate Youth Development practitioner, and have worked as a Youth Worker in our Education team since 2009. I have a background in elite sport and passionately believe the values that underpin successful sporting engagement are transferable to the classroom and to life in general. I have extensive training in Adolescent Brain Development, AOD education, Mentoring and Leadership, and currently hold a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. | .jpg) |
Hitaua ButlerHWC Youth Worker - Te Hiringa Alternative EducationHighbury Whānau CentrePH: 06 358 0504 Ko Tongariro te Maunga Ko Ngāti Tūwharetoa te Iwi |  |
Papa LeotaHWC Engage Team LeadHighbury Whānau CentreBSW/SWRB/Cert Youth Work (Level 4) PH: 06 358 0504 Ko Savaii raua ko Rarotonga oku papa kainga Talofa, Kia Orana my name is Papa Leota. I have 13 years’ experience working with young people and their families within my current role as the HWC Engage worker role and 6 years previously within the HWC Youth worker role. My passion has always been the opportunity to support and walk alongside Rangatahi and their Whanau on their journey. To provide Rangatahi opportunities to access education, positive pathways, and healthy relationships. Samoan whakatauki |  |
Rawi Katene HWC Engage Youth WorkerHighbury Whānau CentrePH: 06 358 0504 Tēnā Koutou, My name is Rawi Katene I have been involved with Touch Rugby in the Highbury Community for many years supporting my partner and our children who have gone on to represent Manawatū and New Zealand . I am currently studying at Massey University doing a bachelor of Social Work. My passion is to work within the community supporting our youth and our most vulnerable whanau. I am fortunate to have the opportunity to do this while I study. I am now mentoring youth on the engage program at the Highbury Whanau Centre advocating for our youth, whanau and schools here in the Manawatu. The team at the Highbury Whanau Centre are an amazing group of people who have been supportive from day one. |  |
Alicia MoxonHWC Team Lead Specialist Youth Community & Whānau Services (SpYCWS)Highbury Whānau CentreRegistered Counselling Psychologist/NZPB PH: 06 358 0504 Kia ora, "Ko te ahurei o te tamaiti arahia o tātou mahi" | .jpg) |
Dr Tomoko YamaguchiRegistered Clinical Psychologist/MNZCCPHighbury Whānau CentrePH: 06 358 0504 I am originally from Japan and have been in New Zealand for 29 years. I have newly joined the team at Highbury Whānau Centre as a part-time Clinical Psychologist. I have worked in various specialist Mental Health Services in Palmerston North. I have training and experience in working with children, young people, and family/whānau on a broad range of presenting difficulties. I am also interested in working with schools and community services to run a group to enhance young people's emotion regulation skills. I am excited to be part of the team and passionate about improving young people’s emotional well-being. |  |
Terry CluneHWC Senior Youth Justice MentorHighbury Whānau CentrePH: 06 358 0504 Tēnā koutou. I have been a part of this team since 2009. I am a part of the Social Services team at HWC working with Young people, Whanau and other professionals throughout the community. I also have a background in Personal Training, Coaching and hold qualifications in Youth Work and Personal fitness Training. I work closely with Oranga Tamariki and Police Youth Aid to support young people within the Youth Justice arena. I assist young people to set goals with a future focus within Educational and Training placements, and improving on managing emotions and behaviours that reduce offending thinking and behaviour. |  |
Kiria Tangaroa HWC Community Youth WorkerHighbury Whānau CentrePH: 06 358 0504 Tēnā koutou. I started my Youth Worker journey in October 2016 here at the Highbury Whānau Centre, and have a background of working with children in the local community; supporting them to achieve in the classroom as well as in the sports arena. I quickly adapted to use my coaching and mentoring skills with teens as well as children. I work alongside whānau, schools and agencies to support the well being of children and young people. As a Youth Worker and Mentor, I promote connectivity in the community and provide advocacy and support to assist young people to overcome adversity and make positive healthy choices for their future. I am currently undertaking Youth Work study, and have recently been developing my skills in the social work arena. I'm keen to help develop young people! | .jpg) |
Nicole Van Der LeeHWC Community Youth WorkerHighbury Whānau CentrePH: 06 358 0504 Ko Tararua te Maunga |  |
Shailah AndersonKaitūtohu - Compliance OfficerĀWHINA TĀHŪHŪ - Personal Assistant to KaihautūIUVENTUS/HWC/STARTPH: 06 825 6267 Kia ora e te whānau |  |
Peter ButlerKaihautū - Executive ManagerIUVENTUS/HWC/STARTPH: 06 825 6267 Ko Tongariro te Maunga Kei ētahi atu peka whakapapa ka hono e au… Ara, nō Ngāti Kauwhata, Ngāti Paoa me Ngai Tai hoki. I also host, Welsh ancestry…. Being brought up in the urban Māori environment of Highbury in Palmerston North, at a time when urban drift was at its peak, has empowered a strong connection to our community. My close knit whānau suffered the loss kuia & koroua at a time of change and instability (1970s – 1980’s) and so, too, lost much of the whānau mātauranga of Te Ao Māori. In my adult years, I have strived to regain that knowledge and share this with my hāpori and whānau. I have been involved within Youth and Community Development for the past 26 years and currently fulfil the Kaihautū role of the Highbury Whānau Centre; a unique organisation, seeded from the aspirations of the breakthrough document “Pūao te Ata tū” and born from the desire of urban whānau to support their children. Passionately representing my community, we utilise our kaupapa, kaimahi and whānau alike to be creative and committed in the pursuit of equitable opportunities for our youth to develop, grow and thrive… within our forever evolving world. We draw from the strength and legacy of our Tīpuna to constantly strive in the face of adversity, and the understanding of the need to ‘adapt or die’. |  |
