Katherine Reweti-Russell
Industry development advisor - community recreation and Māori development
Wellington
Mobile021 360 487 Emailkatherine.reweti-russell@skillsactive.org.nz
Iwi: Te Awa o Whanganui, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Pākehā
Katherine has held a number of roles in Māori health and education and workforce development for over 16 years and holds a post-graduate diploma in public health and a diploma in business administration.
Her passions include 'making a difference' and 'getting stuff done'.
Born and raised on the Whanganui River, Katherine has focused most of her career on looking to improve equitable outcomes for Māori. Now living in Island Bay, Wellington with her whānau Katherine enjoys food, walking her dog, crime podcasts and generally living a busy, fun and chaotic life.
Butch Bradley
Board member
Iwi: Rangitane, Ngāti Rarua, Ngāti Kinohaku
Butch is in his second term as a director with Skills Active, having also held the position of operations manager from 2006 to late 2008, providing him with a sound knowledge of the organisation and its industries.
With a media and executive management background, his communications and strategic planning skills are put to good use in organisational development. He has been active with iwi development in the top of the South Island, having worked as the CEO for an iwi organisation.
Butch has worked in and held a range of directorships with commercial and community organisations which include; Basketball NZ, Te Ara a Maui, NZ Māori Tourism, Tasman Rugby Union having also served on the top of the south Regional Lotteries committee for over 10 years. Currently he consults to World Travellers.
Andrea Bramley
Programme development facilitator
Mobile0211935477 Emailandrea@skillsactive.org.nz
Andrea has an extensive history in the fitness industry from gym floor to personal training and group fitness instructing a multitude of genres, and has worked her way up to management.
Read more Read lessShe is also passionate about health and health promotion, and has managed stores in health retail.
Her accomplishment highlights are achieving a New Zealand Exercise Award for Club of the Year, finalist in the Porirua Business Awards, as well as company awards for Manager of the Year, and Community Engagement of the Year, for her most recent fitness club employer.
She is a real people person and enjoys seeing people reach their best potential. She really believes in on-job training, adult education and learning, and is often found helping random strangers with their careers, and promoting ITO training pathways for other industries.
She loves her family, her cat and dancing, and lives in Titahi Bay, Porirua.
Jocelyn Brewer
Data coordinator
Wellington
Phone(04) 916 4383 Mobilejocelyn@skillsactive.org.nz
Jocelyn has a background in administration, customer service and retail roles. She is one of those annoying 'people person' types and enjoys engaging with people from all backgrounds.
Read more Read lessShe's originally from the Kapiti Coast but has lived in Lower Hutt for ten years with her husband, two young kids and a crazy old cat.
Bridie Bright
Resource designer and publisher
Wellington
Phone(04) 916 4390 Emailbridie@skillsactive.org.nz
Bridie joined Skills Active in June 2006 and is responsible for the design, layout, printing and stock management of Skills Active learning and assessment resources (print and e-based resources) to support the achievement of workplace based qualifications within the recreation, sport and fitness sectors.
Read more Read lessOutside the office environment she is a novice quilter, hobby artist and is keen on using her camera on landscapes, people and fascinating objects.
Chauntelle Brown
Learning support advisor
Wairarapa, Gisborne, East Cape and Hawke's Bay
Mobile027 687 9552 EmailChauntelle@skillsactive.org.nz
Chauntelle has been working in the sport and recreation industry for about seven years in different roles including administration, coordination and event organising, and more recently in the education team space.
Originally she is from a small town called Wairoa - don't blink or you might pass it by on your way through to Gisborne - but she has lived in Napier for over 20 years.
In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family, and loves climbing hills and walking. She is heavily involved with her twin girls' netball sporting passion, and have coached their team from time to time.
She is very passionate about education, whether it be school or adult. Her focus is to ensure she makes a difference in this industry and encourages people to reach their full potential through education.
Jeremy Busby
Quality advisor and assessor liaison
Wellington
Phone(04) 916 4440 Mobile021 592 621 Emailjeremy@skillsactive.org.nz
Jeremy has worked in adult education since 1998, initially as a computing and business administration tutor, then in an assessor support role for an ITO. He then specialised in numeracy and literacy education in the PTE sector and then spent four years with the New Zealand Defence Force as a literacy and numeracy support tutor. For Jeremy, the best part of education is celebrating learner success.
Read more Read lessAway from work he is heavily involved in umpiring cricket which he started as an 18-year-old in 1979. He is still involved on the field at club level but his main focus now is as one of the NZ national training team. He is also chairman of the Wellington cricket umpires and scorers body.
Denise Clarke
Learning support advisor
Nelson, Marlborough and West Coast
Mobile021 402 293 Emaildenise@skillsactive.org.nz
Denise joined Skillls Active in July 2016 and is based in Nelson. Denise has experience working in the sport, recreation and fitness sectors, delivering and assessing unit standards.
Read more Read lessShe is actively working in the fitness industry as a group fitness instructor and is passionate about helping people reach their full potential.
In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, exercising at the gym, volunteering in the community and cooking.
Emily Cooper
Learning support advisor
Christchurch and Canterbury
Mobile027 223 9268 Emailemily@skillsactive.org.nz
Born and raised in Christchurch, Emily grew up in the recreation and sport industry in a wide range of sports, from swimming to competitive diving. At age 16, she started working part-time as a lifeguard and has held various roles in the recreation and sport industry ever since - including a stint at Disney World in Florida.
Read more Read lessShe is passionate about education and helping people achieve their goals. She has a Bachelor of Health Science and is currently working towards a Postgraduate Diploma in Sport Management.
In her spare time Emily loves to hang out with family and friends, kayak, travel and explore this beautiful country on tramping adventures.
Ben Corcoran
Industry development advisor - outdoor recreation
Christchurch
Mobile027 673 8459 Emailbenc@skillsactive.org.nz
Ben joined Skills Active in April, 2018. For more than two decades, Ben has been a professional in the outdoor recreation industry. He has worked in guiding and instruction roles across most disciplines and holds qualifications from NZOIA, NZMGA, NZRA and MSC.
Read more Read lessHis experience includes management roles at adventure tourism businesses both nationally and internationally and senior instructor roles at a number of outdoor centres. He comes to Skills Active from the New Zealand Defence Force, where he spent eight years leading adventure activities while facilitating leadership development programmes.
Ben covers the outdoor recreation industry and is the key contact between Skills Active and NZOIA, NZRA, NZSAC and the NZPMBA.
When he is not adventuring in the outdoors or waxing lyrical about Skills Active, he can be found teaching his kids to ski and ride or hanging out with family and friends.
Grant Davidson
Chief executive
Wellington
Phone(04) 385 9047 Emailgrant@skillsactive.org.nz
Grant joined Skills Active in March 2010, and before that he was on the Skills Active Board for a number of years.
Read more Read lessGrant has a PhD in risk management from the Department of Management Studies at Waikato University, a Master's Degree in education from the University of Minnesota (USA) and a BSc in physics and applied maths from Auckland University.
He is also a trained and certified teacher and a certified lead auditor with Global Exemplar. Grant still follows an active lifestyle with his wife, three children and border collie.
Angela Dorrington
Audit administrator
Wellington
Phone(04) 382 8571 Emailoutdoorsmark@skillsactive.org.nz
Angela has extensive experience in the education sector, and has been an administrator for an industry training organisation for many years.
Read more Read lessMaking audits run as smoothly as possible is Angela’s work goal. She is very comfortable working with a wide range of people over a geographically-spread area.
Linda Dorrington
Industry development advisor - aquatics and performing arts
Wellington
Mobile027 270 7821 Emaillinda@skillsactive.org.nz
Linda has been working in the aquatics industry for over 20 years in many different roles including management at facilities and water-based fitness. She has been part of the wider Skills Active team for over 10 years, working as an LSA, workplace trainer and roving assessor.
Read more Read lessWith a passion for workplace training and seeing people succeed, her role as part of the Industry Engagement team builds on her knowledge and community recreation engagement.
Linda is Wellington-based and when not at work, she enjoys spending time with family and friends. With two granddaughters and one grandson, she and her husband have full weekends.
Stephen Gacsal
Board member
Stephen is the registrar of the NZ Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs) with direct responsibility for the operation and growth of the register, including financial management, strategic direction, and managing key organisational relationships. REPs is the industry owned not for profit register with over 3000 exercise professionals, and 200 exercise facilities registered.
Read more Read lessStephen has experience working with a range of organisations, from small owner-operators (the backbone of New Zealand businesses) through to large national entities. He has a hands on understanding of the needs and challenges facing small non-profit organisations, and how to support their growth through investment into workplace based education and standards.
As a past chair of the Skills Active Exercise Advisory Group, Stephen has a clear understanding of the value and importance of workplace-based training, and the ability to drive, promote an encourage its growth.
Stephen is also a director of the International Confederation of Registers for Exercise Professionals (ICREPs) which is actively driving the international development of standards for exercise professionals. With the growing pressures on health budgets globally due to health conditions such as obesity, mental health, type 2 diabetes, and an ageing population, Stephen's ICREPs directorship role is important to ensure that the exercise industry worldwide has robust qualifications, and recognition, to offer effective solutions to these burdening health challenges.
Sue Gemmell
Outdoor recreation programme and resource developer
Wellington
Phone(04) 916 4370 Emailsueg@skillsactive.org.nz
Sue first joined Skills Active in 2006 as a learning support advisor. Since then she has made several attempts to break away from Skills Active, the most recent being a contract resource development role as part of a New Zealand project team working for the Ministry of Education in the Sultanate of Oman.
Read more Read lessShe is loving being back in New Zealand, working for Skills Active again, and living at Waikanae Beach.
Sue still enjoys participating in any outdoor pursuit, but most likely she will be found blasting the local trails on her mountain bike.
Lorna Gillespie
Programme and resource developer
Wanaka
Phone(03) 443 7751 Mobile027 6004428 Emaillorna@skillsactive.org.nz
Lorna joined Skills Active in August 2015, and is based in Wanaka. Lorna has extensive experience as an educator, including secondary, tertiary and teacher education and as a professional development advisor and facilitator.
Read more Read lessLorna’s background in education is now applied to qualification and standard writing, and resource development.
Outside of work Lorna is a berry farmer, gardener, skier and mountain biker.
Angie Gooch
Learning support advisor
Manawatu-Whanganui and Taranaki
Phone(04) 916 4373 Mobile021 532 835 Emailangie@skillsactive.org.nz
Angie joined Skills Active in September 2016. She comes from an event management and instructional background in the outdoors and community recreation industries.
Read more Read lessAngie loves the interpersonal side of her work, and has had the privilege of meeting and working with many amazing people through her various roles in local and regional authorities, private enterprise, corporate and community facilitation and development.
Angie is a furniture maker, Brazilian drum maker, house renovator/handy-person and general #8 kiwi engineer, who wishes there were more hours in the day to create awesome stuff, including some pretty funky steampunk walking canes.
She can often be found drumming with the infamous Wellington Batucada. Otherwise Angie loves hanging with her family.
Andrew Gunn
Board member
Andrew is not directly involved in any Skills Active Aotearoa sector and brings an independent perspective to the governance board, as well as his experience in this bi-cultural organisation to the two board committees Titiro Anga Whakamua and the Audit & Risk.
Read more Read lessAndrew brings his strong business experience and strategic planning skills to the governance group. Andrew was a past director on the Industry Training Federation board (the peak body for ITOs) and is the learning and development manager for Financial Advice New Zealand Inc.
Andrew holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree in accounting and economics, and a Master of Business Administration from Canterbury University.
Stephanie Hadley
Board member
Stephanie is an Associate of Governance New Zealand and the Institute of Chartered Secretaries & Administrators. She is actively involved with the fitness industry and is the current chair of the Exercise Association of New Zealand Inc, having been on the board a number of years.
Read more Read lessStephanie manages her own business, En Forme Studios in Christchurch, where she provides group fitness classes in barre, Pilates and dance fitness. She has had firsthand experience going through the Skills Active qualifications in progressing her fitness career.
Stephanie’s corporate background is in the law where she is an associate at James & Wells Intellectual Property. She specialises in trade marks, marketing and consumer law and advises on intellectual property strategy.
Stephanie also has a background in professional dance and performance and has had previous governance roles within the performing arts community.
Jacinta Handscomb
Learning Solutions administrator
Wellington
Phone(04) 385 7024 Emailjacinta@skillsactive.org.nz
Jacinta returned to Skills Active in 2017, after 8 years away. Her role involves helping with the administration tasks of the Qualification, Quality and Resource Development teams, within Learning Solutions.
Wanda Hart
Data Coordinator team leader
Wellington
Mobile(04) 916 8744 Emailwanda@skillsactive.org.nz
Wanda joined Skills Active in March 2013. She has been involved in the fitness industry for over 15 years, where she has worked on the gym floor, managed and even owned a gym. She has enjoyed every minute of it.
Read more Read lessWanda received her National Certificate in Exercise in 1994 and has been in the fitness industry ever since. She is a member of the Register of Exercise Professionals and has continued her education and upskilling.
Wanda completed numerous certificates with Skills Active before starting in her current role, and is now enjoying being part of the team that helped with her fitness career.
Tamsyn Hickey
Learning support advisor
Southern Auckland region, Hamilton, Coromandel, Tauranga and Bay of Plenty
Mobile021 563 035 Emailtamsyn.hickey@skillsactive.org.nz
Tam has been involved in the fitness industry for 10 years and the recreational equestrian sector for 20 years.
From being a floor trainer, to managing a team of trainers at a university, up to managing a PTE that delivered Personal Training education up to Level 3 and 4 - which prompted her to study a Diploma in Adult Learning - it's been an interesting journey. However, that is very much the nature of the fitness industry.
Tam's passionate about helping others through education, professional and personal development. She believes that being able to help others is a privilege.
When Tam isn't with Skills Active, she's playing with her Flemish Giant rabbit, Atlas, ballroom dancing, in the gym, or running around charities in a Storm Trooper suit.
Wez Hind
Web developer
Wellington
Phone04 916 4382 Emailwez@skillsactive.org.nz
Wez joined Skills Active in 2017, having previously provided software services to the company as a contractor since 2011.
Read more Read lessHe comes from a software analysis and development background and currently specialises in PHP, MySQL and JavaScript in both back-end and front-end capacity.
He is passionate about improving useability of our services, and providing clients with what they need to get their own jobs done with the minimum of fuss.
When he's not at work, Wez can be found playing a variety of instruments, reading and writing science-fiction, and spending time with an online community of artists at hitrecord.org where he helps produce work for: (award-winning) TV, movies, video games and albums - but mostly for fun.
Donna Hooper
Resource developer
Christchurch
Emaildonna@skillsactive.org.nz
Donna joined Skills Active in January 2006, and is based in Christchurch. Donna has a background in the aquatics industry having worked as a lifeguard, Learn to Swim instructor and training coordinator.
Alastair Hoult
General manager, Corporate Services
Wellington
Mobile027 286 6208 Emailalastairh@skillsactive.org.nz
Alastair joined Skills Active in August 2018 after three years as a senior financial advisor in the New Zealand Aid Programme with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Prior to this he has held senior financial roles with Powerco, Consumer NZ, and Save the Children NZ and in the healthcare sector in both New Zealand and Australia.
Read more Read lessAfter nine years of part-time study (whilst working full-time and playing in a very social covers band), Alastair finally completed a Bachelor of Business Studies degree extramurally from Massey University in 1998. He has two adult children who have not followed their father’s fondness for squash and cycling but have developed their own strengths in hockey, swimming, basketball and online gaming.
Alastair is very pleased to be back in the NGO sector and is excited to be working with his talented Corporate Services team to add value to Skills Active Aotearoa.
David Liu
ICT assistant
Wellington
Phone(04) 916 4382 Emaildavid@skillsactive.org.nz
From child to man-child, David has graduated from the student city of Otago and found work at Skills Active. He is a person with many names, trades and shirts to show his many talents.
Read more Read lessDavid is a dedicated gamer in the off-times and an antic-causing person during work times. Aiming to be the next "Iron Man of the World".
Todd Maddock
General manager, Trainee Support
Wellington
Mobile027 233 1031 Emailtoddm@skillsactive.org.nz
Todd joined Skills Active in March 2018. While Todd has a broad range of experience across his career he had a desire to move into a role in the sport and recreation, health, wellbeing and personal development sector. Skills Active was an excellent fit.
Read more Read lessHe has a history in endurance sport, completing Ironman NZ, and representing New Zealand in his age group at the World Champs for triathlon. When not at work, he'll probably be on the trails.
Jim McKendry
Resource developer
Wellington
Phone0508 475 4557 Emailjimm@skillsactive.org.nz
Jim joined Skills Active in 2018. He comes from a varied hospitality background and has also worked as a sound technician, in fitness marketing, and as a hospitality tutor before becoming a resource developer in 2014.
Read more Read lessHe is passionate about adult education and breaking down barriers to learning.
When he's not at work, Jim enjoys astronomy, lifting weights and watching Liverpool football club.
Julie McKiernan
Administration assistant
Phone(04) 916 4370 Emailreception@skillsactive.org.nz
Julie joined Skills Active in August 2013 as the office assistant. Since joining she has completed two Skills Active qualifications - the National Certificate in Recreation and Sport (Core Skills) and Business Administration and Computing Skills Level 3.
Read more Read lessJulie is from the UK and has two daughters. She loves spending time with her family, just hanging out and having fun. Julie loves to help people.
Esther McLaren
Communications advisor
Wellington
Phone(04) 916 4394 Mobile021 195 5127 Emailesther@skillsactive.org.nz
Esther joined Skills Active in April 2016. She comes from a business journalism background, and previously specialised in writing about employment. She is a big fan of plain English.
Read more Read lessEsther's favourite sport is crosswords. She also likes newspapers, books, yoga and hanging out with her partner and two kids.
Evelyn Moody
Qualification Review team leader
Wellington
Phone(04) 382 3121 Emailevelyn@skillsactive.org.nz
Evelyn joined Skills Active in November 2014. Evelyn initially trained as a teacher and has been involved with workplace training and assessment for the past 15 years, with the last 10 years spent in the NZ vocational education and training space.
Read more Read lessEvelyn brings eight years' experience from NZQA in the quality assurance of standards and national qualifications, including an in-depth knowledge of TROQ. More recently Evelyn spent time in the ITO sector as an industry manager, managing a complex portfolio of public sector clients, and leading and contributing to a number of TROQ reviews.
Outside of work Evelyn is busy raising a young family and enjoys catching up with friends and reading a good book.
Sam Napia
Board chair
Iwi: Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Kauwhata
Sam has an executive management and director background in both the private and public sectors, having served on boards across a variety of industries including advertising, fishing, and broadcasting.
He has a Master of Business Administration with distinction from the University of Waikato. Sam is involved with the Treaty settlement process for the country’s largest iwi, Ngāpuhi, and has extensive experience in working with Māori and non-Māori organisations alike.
Sam currently works in local government, a sector with which he has been associated for more than 25 years. His local government experience includes an overseas appointment as a council CEO in Australia’s Northern Territory. Sam was elected to Skills Active’s Board in May 2007. Sam has been involved with Skills Active since the incorporation of Sfrito.
Pei-Ying Pan
Data coordinator
Wellington
Phone(04) 916 4385 Emailpei-ying@skillsactive.org.nz
Pei-Ying joined Skills Active in August 2013 as the data coordinator for the Central/Southern Region. Prior to working at Skills Active, she was relieving at secondary schools and teaching piano from home (still does). Currently she holds a Master’s Degree in Music and a Diploma in Teaching and Learning.
Read more Read lessShe was born in Taiwan and moved to Christchurch when she was 11, until moving to Wellington in 2011. Since being introduced to the fitness world a few years ago, she has become an avid HIIT trainer and is slowly adventuring into weight training.
Jenni Pethig
Resource Development team leader
Wellington
Mobile027 448 5797 Emailjenni@skillsactive.org.nz
Jenni has been involved in workplace training, qualification, standard and resource development for over 14 years with nine of them being with Sfrito and Skills Active.
Read more Read lessJenni has worked with a range of Skills Active sectors and is passionate about increasing the value of recreation in the lives of all New Zealanders.
Matthew Phillips
Graphic designer
Wellington
Phone(04) 916 4381
Matt joined Skills Active in 2016. He has a Bachelor of Visual Communication Design majoring in digital media at Massey University. Before joining Skills Active as a graphic designer, Matt had been involved with Skills Active through lifeguarding, first completing the National Pool Lifeguard Award eight years ago.
Read more Read lessMatt has always had a passion for the outdoors. He is an avid ocean swimmer and during summer can usually be found travelling the country to compete. His other passions include tramping and photography, two things that go together better than peanut butter and jelly.
Raz Poa
Learning support advisor
Northland and West Auckland
Mobile027 238 9144 Emailrenatap@skillsactive.org.nz
Born and raised in the Kaipara District, Renata (Raz) Poa has strong connections to Northland.
Read more Read lessRaz joined Skills Active in June, 2018. She has worked across most of our industries including community recreation, exercise and sport, as well as media promotions, and retail at a management level.
With previous experience in owning and running a few small businesses, Raz’s true passion is working with people to achieve their desired outcome in whatever area that might be.
Her sporting background is dominated by a variety of sport, including Athletics, Netball, Rugby, Cricket, Boxing and more recently, competing at a professional level for Mixed Martial Arts (MMA).
Raz leads a busy lifestyle away from work, spending time with family, friends, studying Sports Psychology, training for upcoming fights, working on her Chrysler Valiant 1973 and if she has time… fishing in the Kaipara Harbour.
Matt Powell
Learning support advisor
North Auckland and Central Auckland
Mobile027 413 0100 Emailmatt.powell@skillsactive.org.nz
Matt has been working in the health, fitness and community recreation industries for over 10 years in a wide variety of roles including personal training, group fitness and professional development.
Read more Read lessHis passion for helping others sees him still teaching Les Mills Group Fitness classes on a weekly basis. Born and bred in the mighty West Auckland and a graduate of Kelston Boys High School, a passion for sport comes with the territory.
During his downtime Matt can be found in the gym, coaching and personal training, as well as instructing a variety of group fitness classes. On weekends you will find him glued to the TV watching the NRL and supporting his beloved New Zealand Warriors.
Before moving to Skills Active, Matt managed a number of gym facilities as well as being Business Development Manager for Health & Fitness at CLM. Matt was also a Skills Active exercise assessor for over two years before joining the team.
Hare Pupuke
Learning support advisor
East, Central and South Auckland
Mobile027 4494 470 Emailhare@skillsactive.org.nz
Hare was born in Lower Hutt and brought up on the marae in Waiwhetu. He played almost every sport. Softball was his first love and he represented Hutt Valley at all age grades and was a member of the NZ Youth Squad.
Hare is happily married with four children (including twins). He's passionate about his family and ensuring they have every opportunity to be successful.
Before Skills Active, he was working at BNZ as a personal banker for three years. Prior to that he worked in the health and disability sector.
Hare is very passionate about sports and and equally as passionate about helping people achieve success. So working at Skills Active seemed like the ideal role to put his two passions together.
Geeta Raman
Quality advisor and moderator
Wellington
Phone04 916 4386 Emailgeetar@skillsactive.org.nz
Geeta joined Skills Active in November 2018. She worked with another ITO for two and half years in the assessor support and moderation space, and her background is in adult education and training.
Read more Read lessBorn and raised in Wellington, Geeta had an overseas stint for about eight years before returning home.
With three grown, self-sufficient children, her new spare time is spent reading, learning as much as possible (about anything) and trying out shows, events and cafes in Wellington whenever there is an opportunity.
Emma Ramsay Brown
Learning support advisor
Coastal Otago and Southland
Mobile027 640 0185 Emailemma@skillsactive.org.nz
Emma has spent the last 16 years in Dunedin, running an outdoor education and eco tourism company with her husband.
Read more Read lessTheir company has trained many of staff through Skills Active (herself included), so Emma jumped at the opportunity to come on board as a Skills Active team member to help other companies take advantage of the great training opportunities Skills Active can offer them.
Although her business has meant she spends a lot of time outdoors with clients, she and her husband and daughter still spend as much free time as possible camping, rafting, and hanging out in the outdoors. But she also admits that sometimes sitting by a lake reading all day works for her too.
Des Ratima
Board member
Iwi: Ngāti Kahungunu, Te Rangikoianake, Rongowhakaata Te Whānau A Kai
Des has been actively engaged in community, operational, governance, strategic and collaborative impact projects for the past 10 years. He has wide experience in local, regional and central government. He comes from a military, trade and political background.
He has always been an avid sports participant, gaining representative honours in the NZ Army, NZ Combined Services and NZ Forces rugby team in New Zealand and South East Asia. He has skills in negotiation, facilitation, cultural tikanga, training design and relationship building.
He currently chairs Te Whanautahi Trust, founded Te Roopu Kaitiaki O Te WaiMaori cultural environmental consultancy, founding member of Takitimu Ora a Whanau ora collaborative operating in Hawke's Bay. His strong links into Māori communities as chair of the Nga Marae O Heretaunga collective provides access to opportunities for Skills Active in the Māori community. Des was elected as a director in 2013.
Des received the Queen's honour of Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) in 2018 for services to Māori and became a Justice of the Peace in 2016. Late in 2018 he received the honour of Hawke’s Bay Business Leader of the year.
Steve Richens
Learning support advisor and industry development advisor - snowsport
Central Otago
Mobile027 24 81 565 Emailsteve@skillsactive.org.nz
Steve joined the Skills Active team in July 2013. Born and raised near Salisbury, England and with a BA Combined Honours in Sports Science & History, Steve has enjoyed a career in leisure and tourism, predominantly within the snowsport industry.
Read more Read lessSteve moved to New Zealand in 2004 and is now settled in Arrowtown with his wife Sadie and boys Seth & Arlo.
Go Highlanders!
Angela Robinson
Learning support advisor
Wellington and Kapiti Coast
Mobile021 566 853 Emailangela.robinson@skillsactive.org.nz
Angela joined Skills Active in May 2019. Angela has been in gym membership sales and retention roles for nearly 10 years, and has worked as a group fitness instructor for over 15 years. She has also worked in employment support roles, supporting people coming out of prison, and spent five years in the recruitment industry.
Read more Read lessAngela’s passion is supporting people to reach their goals whether that be in fitness or employment, and she is a strong believer in education and ongoing learning as a pathway to success. She has studied continuously as an adult in psychology and mental health, and loves to learn!
Angela is still a passionate group fitness instructor for Les Mills in Wellington and loves to keep fit while helping others. She loves being active with her kids on the weekends, watching her beloved Phoenix Football team, and is a keen traveller.
Wayne Schlemmer
Quality Solutions team leader
Wellington
Phone(04) 916 8746 Mobile021 272 4548 Emailwaynes@skillsactive.org.nz
Wayne joined Skills Active in October 2018. He has been involved in adult education for 20 years, starting off as a workplace assessor, and later senior technical trainer in the mining industry.
Read more Read lessIn more recent years his experience includes technical training for the railways, and working as a quality and moderation advisor for another industry training organisation.
He enjoys bush walks with his dog, the gym, and he very occasionally surfs.
Alicja Skop
Marketing and digital campaign lead
Wellington
Phone(04) 385 7024 Mobile021 246 1607 Emailalicjas@skillsactive.org.nz
Alicja joined the Skills Active whānau in April, 2018. Originally from Germany, Alicja moved to New Zealand in 2007, when she was offered a marketing position in the education sector. Since then she has worked for language schools The Campbell Institute and ETC English Teaching College, attracting international students to New Zealand.
Read more Read lessThis was followed by the government agency WREDA and the Wellington-based charity Skylight Trust. Back in Germany, she trained with and worked for the InterContinental Hotels Group in Europe.
Alicja is a yoga addict and completed her international teaching registration in 2017 with the Yoga Alliance. If you don’t see her on her mat, then certainly on a mountain bike or practising on her guitar. Alicja likes to eat the world for lunch, and says that’s easy with all the choices you have in Wellington. However, exploring street food while travelling is her favourite.
Toni Smithies
Business services administrator
Wellington
Phone04 916 4384 Emailaccounts@skillsactive.org.nz
Toni joined Skills Active in 2019. She comes from a payroll and finance background and specialises in all things money.
Read more Read lessWhen she's not at work, Toni can be found at rehearsals for Wainuiomata Little Theatre's next production, and spending time with her partner and two children.
Toni also has a passion for travel and concerts.
Courtenay Suppinger
HR advisor, board secretary and health and safety representative
Wellington
Phone(04) 916 4396 Mobile021 262 7088 Emailcourtenay@skillsactive.org.nz
Courtenay joined Skills Active in 2005. She originally started as an administration assistant and then in October 2007 became the EA to the CE. In October 2008, she also included HR administration into her role, and in November 2009 was appointed HR advisor.
Read more Read lessCurrently, Courtenay is kept busy with plenty of variety in her roles as she is the HR advisor, board secretary and health and safety representative for Skills Active.
She has more than 20 years' experience in a variety of administration roles within small, medium and large companies and is familiar with employment environments ranging from research and advertising, to power, oil and transport.
Ron Taukamo
Kaihautū & manager, cultural development
Phone(04) 916 4375 Emailron@skillsactive.org.nz
Iwi: Ngāti Porou, Ue Pohatu, Te Aupōuri
Hapu: Te Whānau a Hinetāpora
Ron joined Skills Active in 2006, having completed three years as Training Advisor, Tourism Māori at Aviation, Tourism and Travel Training Organisation.
Previously Ron spent nine years as programme manager in education and training, including three years as executive director, at YMCA Wellington.
He has a background in business, and was self-employed for 15 years as managing director in both the retail and construction sectors.
Ron is committed to kaupapa Māori and tikanga Māori approaches with workplaces, and uses past experiences to build relationships with iwi, hapū and other Māori stakeholders to create awareness of opportunities available through Skills Active.
Elke Thompson
General manager, Industry Engagement
Wellington
Mobile027 446 9032 Emailelket@skillsactive.org.nz
Elke joined Skills Active in February 2019. Originally from Austria, Elke holds a Master’s degree in economics and business administration with a major in tourism and leisure studies. After studying and working across different countries within Europe and the Middle East she’s been living in New Zealand for the past 10 years.
Read more Read lessSince then, Elke has worked in various leadership positions across local and central government and brings passion for socioeconomic development and biculturalism in action. She is also a yoga teacher and aspiring Taekwondo black belt.
When she is not at work or working out she enjoys spending time with her whānau and hanging out on the beach.
Craig Thomson
Salesforce functional consultant
Wellington
Phone(04) 916 4392 Emailcraigt@skillsactive.org.nz
Craig rejoined Skills Active in September 2012 after also working here from 1997 to 2002. He has worked in the ITO sector for over 10 years focusing mainly on information systems, data integrity and business processes.
Read more Read lessIn his spare time, Craig also teaches photography to adults at Wellington High School in the evenings, works on various documentary photography projects, travels and enjoys gardening.
Lance Tomuri
Marketing and Communications team leader
Wellington
Phone(04) 382 3122 Mobile027 242 5974 Emaillance@skillsactive.org.nz
Iwi: Ngā Puhi
Lance joined Skills Active in March, 2011. He has a background in advertising and design. After working in a design studio in Sydney for a couple of years he moved back to New Zealand and worked as an art director for DDB Needham working with clients such as Ford Motors, BP, Philips, Rural Bank and AMP.
He then set up a company called Schafline New Zealand specialising in pre-press and design, and alongside of that set up one of Wellington’s first web/internet companies called Go Global.
Lance plays football (been in the same football team for over 30 years - the University Bombers), softball, tennis, golf and he snowboards - a jack of all sports and a master of none.
Leona van der Heyden
General manager, Learning Solutions
Wellington
Phone(04) 916 4389 Emailleona@skillsactive.org.nz
Leona returned to Skills Active in January 2008 after 10 years away, and following several years with InfraTrain, the infrastructure ITO.
Read more Read lessLeona manages the Learning Solutions team, which covers two key areas of Skills Active:
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Qualification and standards development: this team is currently focused on working through the Targeted Review of Qualifications (TRoQ) project to develop and register New Zealand qualifications and standards across our sectors.
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Quality Solutions: this is the team responsible for the development of Skills Active's learning and assessment resources and the quality assurance of assessors and providers delivering and assessing Skills Active qualifications and standards.
Carolyn Verhagen
Learning support advisor
Waikato South, Rotorua, Central North Island and King Country
Mobile027 6738 460 Emailcarolyn@skillsactive.org.nz
Carolyn has a background in outdoor education, having worked as an outdoor instructor at a number of organisations. She has been an enthusiastic caver, rock climber, tramper and kayaker and enjoys sharing her love of the outdoors with others.
Read more Read lessCarolyn has a love of teaching and an enthusiasm for learning new skills. She lives in the beautiful Central North Island which allows her to spend time kayaking when it is warm and skiing when it is cold.
In her spare time, if she isn’t in the kitchen, Carolyn can be found working in the kitchen garden or messing around in the outdoors with her husband, children and the family dog.
Nathan Waitai
Industry development advisor - sport and exercise
Wellington
Phone(04) 916 8745 Mobile0272 473 468 Emailnathan.waitai@skillsactive.org.nz
He panehe toki, ka tū te tangitangi kai!
Iwi: Ngāti Porou, Rangitāne
Nathan is the co-founder of Whānau Ora Fitness, a free community exercise programme in four Hutt Valley locations; a musician of 30 years; a proud koro of eight mokopuna (soon to be nine); a loving dad of five, and an awesome husband.
He worked as national facilitator for Ngā Taonga Tākaro (Māori traditional games) to 14 Māori health providers around Aotearoa for four years, based at Kokiri Marae.
He has a passion in whakawhānaunga (building and maintaining win/win relationships) which inspires him in his work helping to develop pathways and transitions through on-the-job qualifications.
Dave Watkinson
Adventure activities audit coordinator
Wellington
Phone(04) 382 4391 Emaildave.outdoorsmark@skillsactive.org.nz
With an extensive background in both safety auditing, and the outdoor sector, Dave brings a wealth of skills and knowledge to this position. He has technical expert skills in mountaineering, rock climbing with high ropes, and white water kayak/canoe/rescue.
Read more Read lessDave has an affinity with adventure activity operators, which ensures the best fit of operator and auditor, and a cleaner audit process.
Originally from England, Dave was part of the United Kingdom's Adventure Activities Licensing Scheme, both as an operator, head of centre, and an inspector.
He was also a member of the working group that prepared British Standard BS8848 for overseas expeditions and field work, in conjunction with the Royal Geographical Society and the Young Explorers’ Trust.
Jay Weerappulige
ICT technician
Wellington
Phone(04) 916 4382 Emailjay@skillsactive.org.nz
Jay joined Skills Active in 1998 after obtaining a National Diploma in Advanced Business Computing at CIT in Upper Hutt. He is responsible for the development and maintenance of student management systems, as well as all internal information systems, IT hardware and application software.
Read more Read lessPrior to Skills Active, Jay worked as a civil engineer in Sri Lanka for about 10 years. He is very passionate about cricket, and supports Sri Lanka and the Black Caps (in that order).