Our whānau
Luke Ryan, Tumuaki, Chair
“Being Ngapuhi and growing up in the Tamaki community, my family and I relied on the same kind of services Te Waipuna Puawai provide, which have shaped me into the person I am today. I felt a calling to play an active role in the Tamaki community so joined Te Waipuna Puawai as a board member, drawing on my skills and experience in Corporate Finance and Technology, as well as running a copywriting business. Being a part of Te Waipuna Puawai has also helped me gain a deeper understanding of my own Maori heritage.”
Nicola Brehaut, Tumuaki Tuarua, Deputy Chair
"A 5th generation New Zealander with a strong background in management, I've been involved with many businesses and organisations across the private, public and not-for-profit sectors. Passionate about community-led development, I came to Te Waipuna Puawai because I was keen to contribute to building stronger communities. I'm proud to support an organisation that's making a difference to the lives of women and their whānau."
Janine Roberts
"Having worked with Te Waipuna in a professional capacity providing accounting support for a number of years, I was excited about the opportunity to be more involved as a board member. I am passionate about supporting young people, whether through financial education or providing an opportunity to get ahead through services provided by organisations such as Te Waipuna. I look forward to seeing the community development continue."
Scott Russell
"I have worked at the highest level in private practice, in-house roles and in the government sector. I started my career in private practice at Bell Gully, before moving to London and Hong Kong with Ashurst. I then moved in-house as Head of Litigation at Virgin Media UK. On returning to New Zealand, I worked as Senior Legal Counsel at the Commerce Commission before founding Russell Legal. I have a strong academic background in both business and law having completed an LLB (Hons), a BCom (Economics) and more recently an MBA at Auckland University. I have a unique ability to solve complex legal and commercial problems gained from practical experience working on all sides of the table."
Bill Takerei, Manukura, Chief Executive
"As Chief Executive of Te Waipuna Puawai, I bring 20 years of management experience to my role in assisting the board to achieve their strategic and operational objectives. My fluency in my Maori culture and ability to foster strong relationships helps Te Waipuna Puawai retain itself as a strong community leader in its approach and space of community development. Te Waipuna Puawai is a community provider that has a heart and can reach the community in many ways, something that I’m grateful and proud to be a part of."