We are a team of passionate individuals, driven by a shared vision. At both governance and operational levels, our team brings valuable experience, innovative thinking on social challenges, extensive networks and a long term commitment to community transformation.
Chris was formerly CEO of World Vision, as well as the Hawke’s Bay District Health Board (2003-2009) and has had a broad career in the New Zealand health sector as well as experience in health management and public policy in New Zealand, the United Kingdom and with the World Health Organisation in Europe.
Devagie has an Honours Degree in Educational Leadership and Management, a Teaching Degree, and a Post Grad in Special Educational Needs. She is the Deputy Principal of Sommerville School – the largest Special School in New Zealand.
Geoff currently works at MAXIM in an operations role. He was previously employed by Christians Against Poverty for five years, in various roles including Strategic Advisor and Client Services Director. Prior to Geoff’s not-for-profit experiences, he had an extended career with Nestlé in production and supply chain management both in NZ and overseas. Whilst in the Nestlé NZ supply chain role, Geoff was an active member of the NZ Food Grocery Council, receiving a Lifetime Achiever award for his contribution. Geoff enjoys cycling, whether via the daily commute or off-road mountain biking. He also has a keen interest in faith-based reading.
Margot is a nurse and midwife by trade, who has worked in many of Auckland’s hospitals. She has also worked in various pastoral and church teaching roles. Margot grew up on family land in Opuatia (Ngati Tiipa), surrounded by her large extended whānau. Married to Stu, they have three young-adult children and run their nationally franchised housing company, Sentinel Homes. She is particularly interested in helping young people outwork the call of God in every sphere of their lives, and in seeing how godly business can impact the world.
Amanda is the Programme and Community Director at Arrow Leadership NZ. She recently completed a Graduate Diploma in Arts focusing on Christian Spirituality and is currently training to be a Spiritual Director. She is an Ordained Minister with 15 years pastoral ministry experience, 11 of those as Senior Pastor of Cornerstone Christian Church Waiuku (2008-2019). Amanda is married to Lloyd, and they have four children aged between 12 and 23.
Cliffy, along with his wife Indranee, are the social innovators of Te Whakaora, designing and implementing Te Whakaora’s programmes in South Auckland. They have a proven track record of building high-trust relationships with extremely marginalised communities and are deeply respected by other community organisations. Cliffy spent 17 years in the South African police, and is a certified Pastor. Cliffy and his wife Indranee have established a number of successful mission projects overseas. They emigrated to New Zealand with their two children in 2001, setting up a successful family restaurant before establishing Te Whakaora’s social services.
Indranee worked as an Accountant at Unilever in South Africa before emigrating to New Zealand in 2001. After selling the family restaurant in Manurewa, she managed finances for SouthPark Corporation and Maxim Institute whilst simultaneously working exhaustively in her own time to establish Te Whakaora’s foundational programmes. She has been instrumental in the design of Te Whakaora’s unique approach. Indranee has completed a certificate course in counseling at Laidlaw College and a Supervision course at Unitec. Indranee and her husband Cliffy have two adult children, who both work for Te Whakaora.
Shawn has a BSc in Anatomy and Structural Biology and a BA in Psychology from the University of Otago, and was awarded the StepUp Scholarship. Prior to joining Te Whakaora, Shawn held a management position at 4Seasons Home and Living, and served as a volunteer for a number of Non-profit organisations in Auckland and Dunedin. He has studied Te Reo Maori, Maori Culture and Society, and Ngāi Tahu tradition and was a delegate at the 2014 Aspiring Leaders Forum held in Parliament. In 2015 Shawn graduated from the seven month residential Venn Foundation internship programme, which aims to see people live well-examined and integrated lives, led by community and virtue. Shawn was born in South Africa and in 2001 emigrated to New Zealand with his parents – Te Whakaora’s Founders, Cliffy and Indranee Reddy.
A Manurewa local, Ngaire previously worked for Te Awa Ora Trust, facilitating their “Talking Trash” programme, is involved in promoting community health initiatives, and was a whanau support worker at the Manurewa marae when Te Whakaora launched there in 2010.
Tekura brings her love of people and her passion for helping others to her role as Whānau Coach. After years of experience working in the community, with trusts and corporate clients, and as an entrepreneur with her own clothing brand – TK is widely loved and respected for the quality of care she brings to our whānau, including advising on topics such as parenting, relationships, and general life skills. She is currently completing a Diploma in Design and Manufacturing, and as a mum of two, has a particular affinity for young people.
Born and raised in South Auckland, Charmaine is 12 years married, with two beautiful daughters. Besides her extensive experience at NZ Post in customer service, administration and coordination, she also helps to manage a small family business in automotive paint restoration. Since joining Te Whakaora, she has found a new passion for our community, and her 14 years at NZ Post have developed the crucial skills needed to coordinate the delivery of our services so our whānau can share their stories and find healing and restoration. Having been our Service Delivery Coordinator, she is now excited to serve our community as one of our Whānau Coaches and see real change in their lives as she journey’s alongside them.
Tony is a Samoan who has called New Zealand home for the majority of his life. Here at Te Whakaora Tangata, he is driven by a deep desire to witness the restoration of families and the cultivation of meaningful connections among young men, fathers, and the wider community. When not engaged in this pursuit, Tony is a husband and a father with two beautiful daughters that keep his prayer life in check. In his spare time, something he loves to do is channel his energy into Christian hip hop rap music, using his music to inspire and uplift the younger generation.
Tina is a Kaitaia local, who loves the Far North’s laid back lifestyle. Tina has a background in finance and administration. She has a flare for business, and with her husband Michael they have farmed and run their own businesses in the district for more than 30 years. She is passionate about the local church, and has used her entrepreneurial gift to relaunch a community project equipping and mentoring vunlerable young mothers and their whānau. Tina has also worked as the lead spiritual equipping teacher of Kaitaia Abundant Life School. She has 3 grown children and loves to volunteer in her local community.
In 2016, Robert and his partner of 33 years were born again, healed, and restored through completing the Te Whakaora Tangata Family Restoration program. Before this, Robert had been a long-time offender and spent over 15 years in and out of jail. Robert married Shirlene, and they have 3 Children and 9 Mokopuna. Robert has personal first-hand experience with the justice system and has a heart to give back to society by mentoring youth who are in the justice system and who suffer various forms of trauma. Robert has completed Te Whakaora Tangata’s Community Emerging Leaders program, and after 7 years of journeying with Te Whakaora Tangata now works with us as a Youth Mentor Coach.
Alex has over 20 years’ experience in community development both national and international. He has led teams implementing community initiatives from small rural poverty relief to major international disaster or conflict-related humanitarian efforts. He has experience at both the grassroots community level, and at the national government policy level. Alex has been the Country Director and a Board Member for two of World Vision’s international offices, a General Manager at World Vision’s local NZ office and served the South Auckland community as a pastor at the Elim Christian Centre Manurewa. Alex has joined his wife Lisa Snary to facilitate Te Whakaora’s programmes in South Auckland.
Lisa has more than 30 years national and international experience working with families in crisis, including foster care, prison ministry, family support and pastoral care with the Elim Churches of NZ. For twenty years, Lisa lived internationally and worked cross-culturally in countries facing instability due to extreme poverty, natural disasters, political upheaval or armed conflict; living and working alongside extremely poor and vulnerable families. Lisa now works alongside her husband to facilitate Te Whakaora’s Family Restoration programmes in South Auckland
Wiremu, in his role as the Service Delivery Coordinator, not only leverages his passion for community, creative flair, and love for fashion and design to boost team morale but infuses each endeavor with a profound sense of compassion. With a foundation rooted in Maori heritage, community projects, and youth care, his skills form an integral part of our services team. Beyond professional commitment, Wiremu’s deep dedication to supporting vulnerable whanau – particularly in the area of identity, emanates from a spiritual calling, where he strives to embody and share the boundless compassion reflective of the love of God in every facet of his role.
Alisi Dickson, of Pacifica and Maori descent, radiates a life devoted to service and family. Married to her loving husband Jason for 22 years, they share the joy of raising two beautiful children. Alisi has dedicated over two decades to grassroots community work, spanning education, social services, youth mentoring, and various community roles, due to her deep commitment to leadership development in disadvantaged communities. Her heart finds fulfillment at Elim Christian Centre Manurewa, where she actively serves and cherishes life’s moments, and her journey so far reflects a life-long calling to uplifting others and building a better world.
Margaret brings her love of people and her passion for helping families into her role as a Community Support worker. Alongside a long career in business and financial administration, she has a strong background in local church mentoring for both groups and individuals. Margaret brings her skills and experience together in this role to develop and support whānau mentoring programmes that equip families to thrive. A true outdoor girl at heart, she enjoys travel, sports, and nature hikes with family and friends.
Victor has been in the Hospitality Industry for over 30 years, specializing in Operations, and has a genuine love for people. He has recently joined us, coming from Nando’s NZ as the RGM. He is a committed Christian serving in his local church, The River Christian Church, since joining over eight years ago and has a heart for serving, and runs a connect group with his wife. Victor has been married to Heather for almost 20 years, they have two sons and are originally from South Africa. The family moved across from Australia back in 2007 and proudly call NZ home.
Shimal has developed a breadth of experience through her customer service, business administration and supervisory roles in industries ranging from manufacturing to entertainment. Having grown up in South Auckland after emigrating from Fiji at the age of 12, she has a deep connection with the local community. Alongside her passionate involvement in ALPHA New Zealand, Shimal is a proud mother to an amazing daughter, and a lover of dogs and nature.
Jenilee has a BA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from the University of Otago, and a Bachelor of Business in Marketing from Auckland University of Technology. Prior to joining Te Whakaora, Jeni worked for Auckland Transport, and also led a digital team for an advertising firm. Jeni was born in South Africa and in 2001, emigrated to New Zealand with her parents – Te Whakaora’s Founders, Cliffy and Indranee Reddy. She is involved with youth mentoring and leads fundraising and other partnerships at Te Whakaora.
Vanessa has a background in preschool teaching and administration. This has led to a variety of roles throughout her career, from starting pre-schools in South Africa, where she was born, to working in hospitality, the travel industry and later the manufacturing industry in New Zealand, where she has lived for the past 15 years. She is a wife and mother to four wonderful children with a keen interest in up-cycling and restoring furniture.
Everything James does is driven by his Christian faith in how he seeks to serve God and pass on the love of Jesus to others. It was this faith, passed on by his late Father, that lead him and his brother to Co-found TRETH, a Christian-based sports fashion label. TRETH’s mission is to “To.Receive.Eternity.Through.Him” and “be the answer” to world need, through God-inspired creativity, innovation and 50% of profits to charity. With a background in Marketing and Operations, James brings both his business acumen and his heart for people to the Te Whakaora team. He is passionate about sharing the life-changing stories of our whānau so that many others can come to know about the work we do.
Simone has a background in youth work, and for the last five years, has been working in grants funding and communications for a number of charitable organisations before joining the Te Whakaora team. A sole parent to three teenagers and two rescue dogs, Simone is passionate about encouraging and empowering people who are struggling, through her writing.
Having grown up in Afghanistan, Zara has a passion for social justice and development. With a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and International Relations, and Human Services, with a minor in French, Zara is well-versed in community-led development and participatory research methods in bicultural and multicultural contexts. Zara loves fundraising, helping raise money and awareness for Hagar New Zealand (an anti-human-trafficking organisation) and Diamond Harbour Youth and Community Trust (her hometown’s youth organisation). Having moved up from Christchurch to Auckland in 2023, Zara is enjoying exploring all the kai and whanaungatanga South Auckland has to offer.