Butch Bradley
Executive director
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.
Chauntelle Brown
Kaitohutohu | Bicultural advisor
Hawke's Bay
Mobile027 492 5501 Emailchauntelle@skillsactive.org.nz
He mihi atu ki a koutou i tēnei wa
Ko Te Whakapunake o te Matau a Māui Tikitiki a Taranga te maunga
Ko Te Wairoa Hōpūpū Honengenge Mātangirau te awa
Ko Hinemihi te Marae
Ko Te Poho o Hinemihi te whare tīpuna
Ko Ngāti Hinemihi te hapū
Ko Ngāti Kahungunu ki te Wairoa te iwi
Ko Takitimu te waka
Ko Chauntelle Brown tōku ingoa
Chauntelle Brown is Te Mahi Ako's kaitohutohu tikanga rua.
She spent more than seven years working in a regional sports trust, developing programmes and events for schools, and helping community organisations to access sport and recreation funding. A love of learning, community, and growth – these are all things that drive Chauntelle. Her gifts in all these areas are interwoven with her Māori identity and worldview.
Having grown up on and around her ancestral marae, and learning the stories and tikanga from her elders, she’s passionate about sharing mātauranga Māori with both Māori and tauiwi (non-Māori).
In her role she will be working with Te Mahi Ako staff to build their confidence and capability as Te Tiriti partners, and help them advocate for Māori values and approaches.
"A huge part of my role is to build and strengthen Māori capability by embedding and honoring Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles across our organisation, with the intent to make it the norm, to be influential and inspiring for others to embrace te ao Māori, tikanga Māori, and matāuranga Māori. This is not a role, this is an honour.
"Times have finally changed for the betterment of our people, and our tūpuna would be weeping tears of joy.
"Me eke ngā ngaru o te wā, ki te kore ai, ka kai rehutai. You’ve got to move with the times and if you don’t, you’ll be left behind."
Anthony Cox
Chief financial officer
Wellington
Mobile027 5780977 Emailanthony.cox@skillsactive.org.nz
Anthony joined Skills Active in April 2020, early in the Level 4 lockdown. He is a chartered accountant and has considerable experience in senior management roles.
Read more Read lessHe describes himself as a lifelong learner and the opportunity to join the Skills Active team seemed a good fit in facilitating the learning of its industry trainees.
In his spare time, Anthony enjoys the outdoors. Exercise these days is mainly walking, but he has previously included a number of racquet sports, soccer, golf and a bit of skiing. An avid music fan, his tastes lie predominantly in the 70s and 80s, and although travel is currently limited to New Zealand, he looks forward to restrictions being lifted, as he still has a few countries on his list.
Michael Curreen
Communications advisor
Wellington
Mobile021 1955 127 Emailmichael.curreen@skillsactive.org.nz
A former magazine editor, Michael has a background in journalism and content marketing. He holds a degree in media and writing. Originally from Auckland, he has spent time in the Deep South working as a community reporter for Southland and Otago newspapers. He made the move to Wellington to join Skills Active in 2023.
Read more Read lessWhen Michael’s not at work or putting his feet up at home, you’ll probably catch him enjoying a coffee with friends at a café or cruising down the open road to somewhere fun.
Angela Dorrington
Audit co-ordinator
Wellington
Emailangela@qualworx.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.
Maren Frerichs
Chief executive officer
Wellington
Phone027 446 9032 Emailmaren@skillsactive.org.nz
Maren joined Skills Active in 2016 and has a keen interest in the impact of sport and recreation on personal development, health and wellbeing.
Read more Read lessWhile Maren has worn a number of hats in the health sector including research, government advisory and management roles, her passion is for the New Zealand outdoors and for grappling.
Maren has 15 years' experience in martial arts and teaches womens' Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and self-defence in Wellington. When she is not on the mats she is escaping the city to explore the wilderness with her husband Glenn and their little boy Leon.
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.
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.
Wanda Hart
Operations process manager
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.
Wez Hind
Senior 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 has a software analysis and development background and currently builds and maintains many of our back-end and front-end systems.
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 mostly spends time with his family, but when rare opportunity presents he can be found playing an instrument, or reading and writing science-fiction.
Kirsty Knowles
Board member
With approximately 20 years of experience in the aquatics and recreation industry, Kirsty is an experienced industry professional, with a passion for supporting Skills Active and our sectors.
Read more Read lessAs a director of Community Leisure Management (CLM), board member of Recreation Aotearoa and trustee of Community Leisure Charitable Trust, a delivery partner of Aktive’s in the Counties Manukau region and AROORA programming in Te Tai Tokerau, Kirsty is directly involved in business development, governance and strategic planning. Furthermore, Kirsty has a strong skill set specialising in operations, health and safety, human resources, aquatics and facility management.
In her spare time Kirsty can still be seen running around the netball court and coaching her daughter's netball team.
Todd Maddock
General manager, Operations
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.
Emma Maidment
Administration assistant
Wellington
Phone0508 475 455 Mobile027 192 6159 Emailreception@skillsactive.org.nz
Emma joined the organisation in 2022. She comes from an administration background and previously worked as a librarian. Emma loves to help people and solve problems, and when not at work, you'll find her hanging out with whānau and practicing her drawing abilities.
Harataki Manihera
Kaihautū
Hawke's Bay
Mobile027 808 0629 Emailharataki@skillsactive.org.nz
Ko Kahurananki te maunga
Ko Ngaruroro te awa
Ko Ngāti Pāhauwera rāua ko Ngāti Kahungunu aku iwi
Ko Ngāti Poporo te hapū
Ko Harataki Kahungunu Manihera tōku ingoa
Ko te Kaihautū ahau
“Nāku te rourou, nāu te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi”
No reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tātau katoa.
My name is Harataki Kahungunu Manihera and I’ve been given the amazing opportunity as the new kaihautū.
I was born and raised in a marae settlement called Bridge Pa, a small community just outside of Hastings.
I was raised in a big whānau of 14 and though we didn’t have much financially or materially we were nurtured and loved by our mum to appreciate life regardless of what hand we had been dealt.
Having left school at the tender age of 14 because of a particular mathematics teacher having a view and expressing it to me that I was a dumb fella, I rushed home and told dad. He looked at me and said, “You’ll be out working with us then in the shearing shed.” I relished this opportunity and then funnily enough at the age of 30 I started my educational journey, eventually completing formal studies at Palmerston North Teacher Training College.
After a four-year stint in the classroom, I left and worked for the Ministry of Education for 18 years in Special Education in severe and challenging behaviour, as a specialist in behaviour and then into a manager role. I left then worked for four years at the Ministry for Primary Industries in the Customary Fisheries Team working alongside iwi and hapū with their Te Tiriti of Waitangi settlements specific to customary fisheries. And in 2022 I joined Skills Active Te Mahi Ako as their kaihautū.
I am married to my amazing wife of 43 years with five children and 10 mokopuna in tow ????
No reira rau rangatira ma, ko tēnei taku whakapapa.
Huri noa, huri noa
Tēnā koutou, tena koutou, tēnā tātau katoa.
Julie McKiernan
Finance administrator
Phone(04) 916 4370 Emailaccounts@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.
Prea Millar
Operations process administrator
Wellington
Phone04 909 9830 Mobile027 1800 3007 Emailprea.millar@skillsactive.org.nz
Originally hailing from the chilly east coast of Te Waipounamu, Prea was born and raised in Timaru. Growing up surrounded by theatre from a very young age, Prea quickly grew a passion to follow the performing arts as a career. Taking the leap to the windy Pōneke in 2017, Prea began her studies at Te Herenga Waka, Victoria University of Wellington.
Read more Read lessAfter graduating in 2019, Prea has since been working as a freelance performer, writer, and producer in the Pōneke theatre scene. Starting at Skills Active is an exciting new chapter for Prea as she starts her career supporting trainees across Aotearoa.
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.
Jordan Pomana
Board member
Mā mua ka kite a muri
Mā muri ka ora a mua
Those who lead give sight to those who follow
Those who follow give life to those who lead.
Born and raised in Hawke's Bay, Jordan is a father of five and grandfather to one. He has 20 years' experience in basketball coaching and development and is the founder and coordinator of Kahungunu Poitūkohu - a kaupapa Māori holistic wellbeing program, utilising basketball as a way to connect with whānau and rangatahi.
Philip Potter
IT developer
Wellington
Phone(04) 916 4382 Emailphilip.potter@skillsactive.org.nz
Phil has been in working in IT since he was 15, starting with fixing broken PCs and working his way up through to a fully-fledged IT guy. He has always had a passion for IT and has a very broad set of knowledge that always continues to expand.
Read more Read lessOriginally from Wellington, Phil moved to the UK at a young age and after 20 years, decided to travel back to New Zealand. After settling back home, he joined the Skills Active team as the IT guy, supporting everything from the printer to the coffee machine.
Shayne Ragg
IT administrator
Wellington
Phone0508 475 455 Emailshayne.ragg@skillsactive.org.nz
Shayne joined Skills Active in 2022. He is our IT administrator and previously worked in the sound industry. Outside of work, Shayne likes to read, swim, break his computer, and spend time with friends.
Amy Ramsay
People and Culture advisor
Wellington
Phone021 0848 7715 EmailAmy.ramsay@skillsactive.org.nz
Amy worked in hospitality making coffee for several years during high school and university. More recently after completing her studies she has been performing administrative and HR functions in a mix of small and large organisations.
Hinemaua Rikirangi
Board member
Hinemaua became a board director with Skills Active in 2020. She brings a strong background in strategic, commercial business development, governance, management, public sector, project management from concept to implementation and resolving complex business issues.
Read more Read lessHinemaua has extensive networks and experience working with corporate, government agencies, Iwi and Māori organisations including Treaty Settlement entities across primary and commercial sectors.
She is a certified practitioner for coaching and mentoring, and a specialist coach and advisor to senior executives in cultural development.
Shraddha Shrestha
Accountant
Wellington
Phone0211962069 Emailshraddha.shrestha@skillsactive.org.nz
Shraddha is originally from Nepal and has lived in New Zealand for over 5 years. She has gained her master’s degree in professional accounting qualification and currently pursuing her chartered accountant degree. She has also been working here in a mix of commercial business and for an accountancy firm.
Read more Read lessAs someone who considers herself to be ongoing learner, she believed that the chance to become a member of Skills Active team would be ideal for promoting the learning of its industry trainees.
Shraddha enjoys being outside in her free time. She likes spending time in nature and capture all the wonderful moments of beauty with her camera and making vlogs out of it. She also enjoys travelling. It brings her the real adventure and thrill to venture into new places.
Hania Tarabishy
Graphic designer
Wellington
Phone0508 475 4557 Emailhania.tarabishy@skillsactive.org.nz
Hania joined Skills Active in August 2022. Born and raised in Syria, she first started her career in a leading marketing agency. Hania has been in design roles for nearly 10 years, and has worked with a wide range of industries and projects.
Read more Read lessWhen she's not at work, she enjoys baking with her boys, and going to fight classes.
Craig Thomson
IT manager
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 manager
Wellington
Mobile027 2425 974 Emaillance@skillsactive.org.nz
Lance first joined Skills Active back in March 2011, but left in 2021 to take a position as senior advisor, digital communications – brand, for a government department. He then worked as marketing and communications manager for a Māori health organisation.
But like many people that leave Skills Active, he eventually made his way back to the organisation, and the opportunity to build a new brand was a big drawcard.
Outside of work Lance loves to play tennis and football. He enjoys catching up with friends, chatting with both his boys who now live on the Gold Coast, travelling and photography.
In 2020, Covid ruined plans to travel to Germany for a wedding, and then onto Egypt and Petra. Now that the borders are open...
Dave Watkinson
Manager - safety certifications and accreditation
Wellington
Mobile021 599 740 Emaildave@qualworx.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
Salesforce developer
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).
Ashton Williams-Dallow
Operations process administrator
Wellington
Phone04 974 4328 Emailashton.williams-dallow@skillsactive.org.nz
Ashton joined Skills Active in 2022. She was heavily involved in the performing arts scene in Ōtautahi, and followed that spotlight up to Pōneke, where she got her BA in Theatre, French and Management at Victoria University of Wellington.
Read more Read lessSince then she has qualified as a personal trainer, and enjoys spending her day doing what she loves most; training and helping other people find their own love for exercise. If not at the gym, you will find her actively involved in the Pōneke theatre scene. Ashton is excited to be a part of Skills Active, where all her facets of life meet in one place.