OUR PEOPLE

My wife and I arrived from England to New Zealand in 1974 and taught in Oamaru for 11 years.

Over the years I have been a student of Māori Language through correspondence and the University of Waikato to further my competency.

As Assistant Principal at Northland College in Kaikohe we established a bilingual class and later a Kura Kaupapa.

As Second Principal of Fairfield College and Principal of Melville High I have also assisted to establish bilingual classes at those schools.

After my teaching career I assisted schools to become accredited to deliver NZQA qualifications and to establish programmes for teaching the Māori language.

Ramon hales from the North and enjoys hunting gathering, music, travelling, gym training, music, travelling, coaching sports and whanau. Ramon is passionate about our youth and guiding them through our Youth St Programme.

Hi, I’m Jess, I’m 20 from Cambridge. I spent the last 2 years at Capernwray Bible school and travelling around. I have worked in early childhood and am now pursuing a degree in youth work. Helping people is my passion, and I’m super excited to be on board as youth transitions navigator

Kia Ora, ko Arohaina toku ingoa.
He uri tenei no Ngapuhi nui tonu.
I am fortunate enough to be increasing my role here at the Good News Community centre. After a few years leading at Sunday whanau afternoons, you will now also find me in the office as well as working with youth and children in our Youth St mentoring and Hub programme.
I am excited to be more involved in the community, meet new people and work alongside the Rangatahi.
In my spare time I enjoy playing sport, specifically netball, playing my ukulele and spending time with family and friends. I am very approachable and love a good korero so COME SAY Hi!!

Matthew is a committed Christian married to Jo with 3 adult children and 5 grandchildren. He has been a funeral director for 28 years and currently owns Seddon Park Funeral Home.
Matthew has been a trustee for four years and enjoys this opportunity to help serve the Nawton/Crawshaw community.

Hi my name is Ann Brady I am a current Trustee. I am Hamilton born and raised, the eldest of 3 children. I have been married to Dennis for 20 years and have 3 teenagers. We have lived in the Nawton area for the last 17 years. Currently I relief teach, however I have previously taught at Crawshaw School for 6 years. Our family attends church in Frankton where I am jointly responsible for the connections ministry. Dennis works at the cafe on the Avalon Drive Wintec Campus.
We have both helped out at St Marks on a Sunday evening for a number of years.

I feel privileged to serve as a trustee and the role of treasurer. I enjoy helping people and appreciate the work the Trust is doing through the Good News Community Centre. I am a Chartered Accountant and work in the roading industry. I attend West Hamilton Community Church and enjoy baking, skiing and craft work in my spare time.

Originally from a rural background, I then worked in social work, community work and counseling, and sometimes a s a handyman. As a committed Christian and now retired, I enjoy serving on the Te Rongopai Community Trust. I like helping our organization meet some of the needs of children, young people and adults, thereby supporting local parents and families as they raise their children to adulthood. I have a focus on helping harness the diverse strengths of the Maori, Pakeha and other cultures of Aotearoa-New Zealand to build strong community life. My wife Robyn and I have five adult children between us.

I'm a Christian, was raised in Hamilton and love living here in Nawton with my husband Bert. We have a family of five grown children between us and 7 grandchildren. I have worked in the natural health field, retail, art and craft and run small businesses. I'm currently involved as an artist and organiser of NZ Art for Charity, helping raise funds for people in great need overseas. Having been involved with the Te Rongopai Community Trust from its inception I find it both a privilege and pleasure to be serving as a Trustee in partnership with the Nawton /Crawshaw community.

Hi my name is Joel Rowse and I am the Minister of St Marks Church here in
Nawton. I am married to Susanne and we have 4 children; Madeline, Nathan,
Mikayla and Wiremu.
I grew up in Mt Maunganui but have lived in the Nawton area for the last 13
years.
I enjoy playing the piano and swimming. I also enjoy travelling and have visited
a number of places around the world.

Nga mihi kia koutou katoa
Ko Wharepuhunga te Maunga
Ko Puniu te Awa
Ko Tainui te Waka
Ko Ngati Raukawa te Iwi
Ko Takihiku te Hapu
Ko Rawhitiroa te Marae
Ko Donna Te Rongomau toku ingoa

I am married to Pou Te Rongomau, We have 3 beautiful daughters, and 3 darling grandchildren.
I am a community support worker for a Maori mental health and addictions service.
Pou and I are associate pastors at Reach Church Hamilton.
We have lived in Crawshaw and have loved Crawshaw for more than 20 years.

My wife, Li, and I have lived in Crawshaw since 2001. I work as an Application Engineer implementing Model Predictive Control solutions for the Dairy Industry. I have been a trustee since 2018. Go the Highlanders!

Ko Ruapehu te maunga tapu.
Ko Whanganui te awa waiora.
Ko Atihaunui a paparangi te iwi.
Ko Patiarero te marae.
Ko Morikaunui te whare kai.
Ko Whiritaunoka te whare tupuna.
Ko Aotea te waka.
Ko Turi te rangatira.
Ko Jody ahau.

Tena Koutou. I was in raised in south Taranaki area 35 km north of Whanganui a little town called Waitotara.
We have been living in Hamilton for 15 years we have 3 children. I am currently employed with an
owner driver who is contracted to Strait NZ better known as Freightlines as a casual Truck driver
travelling within the Waikato district. I joined Te Rongopai trust for just over 12 months ago.
I was introduced to the Trust through matua Bert whom I met on the Te Reo Maori course program
run through the Trust. My name is Jody Gillies. I look forward to being part of the Trust connecting
and building relationships.

Nga mihi nui ki a koutou