Kia ora I’m Eddie and it is my privilege to have been part of Challenge since it’s small beginnings in Johnsonville in 1988.

I am from Ireland originally and now also call Aotearoa New Zealand my home. I have many different jobs here – including mentor to the staff, chaplain, marriage celebrant, sailing teacher, superviser, retreat giver and other roles where I share in the life and death moments of those who work at or are served by Challenge 2000.

It is a wonderful community of life and hope, that inspires me in my ministry.

Talofa lava, I have been at Challenge since 2001 and am a full time youth worker. My days are filled with a variety of adventures with a variety of people! I mentor individual young people, I am responsible for the important work of coordinating “missions” for Challenge 2000 – working with young people in the community and helping those in need with fixing things, gardening and clearing sections, moving, building things. I also help out at retreats and camps. I also lead the “Challenge Works” project that allows some of our young people to learn a range of skills that will help them to move into meaningful employment as well as generating some money to put back into our young people in the community.

Kia ora my name is Marie and I am a Sister of St Joseph. Following a career in teaching, I first joined Challenge 2000 in 1991 when there was just four of us! After being the Rimutaka Prison Chaplain for 21 years, I have returned to Challenge 2000… as everyone does.

My role here now as Kaitiaki is about being available to people in the house and community and doing whatever needs to be done. I am loving being back here at Challenge 2000.

Talofa lava, Kia Ora! My name is Melisha Isa'ako.

I'm stoked to join the Challenge whanau as one of the MASSiSS social workers based at Taita College.

My move to Challenge at the beginning of 2022 was an opportunity I couldn't resist and upon reflecting on past experiences in leading youth development programmes, holiday programmes, youth ministry and working as a social worker in the health sector for a number of years - it was time for me to fully emerge myself where our rangatahi are at... in college!

Since being based at Taita no day is the same and I'm loving it!

I'm honoured to share space with our young people and I'm grateful to be part of their journey in whatever capacity they allow me to.

Here's to more spaces for our young people to thrive, be seen and heard!

Ia manuia!

Hello, I’m Jonathan. In January 2018 I came from NZ Police to Challenge 2000 as the Capability Development Manager.

I am responsible for developing and maintaining the infrastructure and organisational requirements of the agency, including data collection and reporting capabilities, and further developing our relationships with other agencies. It is my responsibility to ensure these amazing people have the technology, resources and information they need, at their fingertips, so they can focus on their day-to-day work helping the community.

Kia ora, I am the Supported Accommodation Manager. I have been in social services roles for over thirty years, and came to Challenge 2000 after 22 years with NZ Police. While in the police, I managed police youth development and youth justice crime prevention programmes. Prior to joining the police, I was a social worker in non-government social work agencies. My last role in the police was as a National Coordinator supporting the development of community policing and helping police better care for victims, especially victims of family violence. Prior to managing the Supported Accommodation service I managed the Transition Service and previous to that I was Director of Challenge 2000 for four years.

Kia ora, I'm Tamsyn, a Youth Worker here at Challenge 2000. I was raised in sunny Nelson before moving to Dunedin to go to the University of Otago, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Education and via distance learning from Praxis with a Diploma of Youth Work. I live in the Northern suburbs and I enjoy spending time with friends and whanau, exploring new places, walks in the bush, reading, baking and eating good food.I joined the Challenge 2000 whanau in 2020 when we moved to Wellington in 2020. My work at Challenge is with the Transition and Mentoring Services as well as supporting practice of the Youth Work team as Community Team Leader. I am passionate about seeing people discover their strengths and achieve their goals, it is a privilege to work alongside so many rangatahi and their whanau .

Kia ora, I'm Adam, a social worker and MASSISS Team Leader here at Challenge 2000. I was raised in the Wairarapa before moving to Wellington to complete my social work degree. Over the last 15 years I have worked for both Government and NGOs in health, early intervention services and care and protection.

I am passionate about social justice for our young people and I look forward to continuing this work at Challenge.

Talofa Lava

My name is Lano and I am a youth worker at Challenge 2000

I started my journey with Challenge 2000 through the Challenge Marist internship programme in 2018 and have worked for or been connected with Challenge ever since. My main roles at Challenge are as a youth worker in some of the colleges throughout Porirua as well as Mentoring with young people in the wider Wellington region.

I am honoured to work alongside young people, to help them chase their goals and support them to create opportunities for themselves.

Kia ora!My name is Bobby and I am a Youth and Community worker at Challenge 2000. My role allows me to work alongside young people to help them achieve their goals and aspirations in life.I encourage young people to be the best they can possibly be and am grateful my mahi allows me to engage with the whole whanau.

Kia Ora, My name is Kauri Brown I'm Maori & Tongan and I'm a youth worker here at Challenge 2000.

Most of my mahi is in High school doing one on one mentoring with our Rangatahi. It's something that I am extremely passionate about and grateful to have this opportunity.

I come alongside our young people to show that there is someone who believes in them which is a great blessing to my life as I see a lot of myself in the rangatahi coming from the same background.

Malo Auptio

Talofa Lava my name is Mary Ann Collins but prefer MAC. I am a youth worker at Challenge 2000.

I have been a youth worker for 13 years working for Oranga tamariki and Barnardos. I have enjoyed being able to work alongside our rangatahi, finding their purpose in life, learning who they are, what they can become and teaching our rangatahi that there is no limit to what they can do and achieve.

I am looking forward to continuing my journey as a youth worker here at Challenge 2000 working alongside others who are willing to make a difference in our rangatahi’s lives and are able to enhance their mana in every situation they face.

Talofa lava,

My name is Semanaia Agafili, and I began as a part of the Challenge 2000 Gap Programme in 2024. I am now a Challenge Marist intern and member of the Youth Ministry team here at Challenge 2000.

As a Youth Minister, my role is to support and guide our rangatahi as they explore their spirituality and grow in their faith. I lead liturgies for St Brigid’s School and St Benedict’s School in Khandallah and work across different communities. I also support other initiatives, including holiday programmes, school retreats, and various community events.In my spare time, I enjoy playing basketball, sketching and painting, singing, and being involved in church and community life.

Working at Challenge 2000 has been a growth-filled journey. It has helped me discover more about myself, my strengths, and my capacity to make a positive difference. Every day brings something new, and I’m constantly learning and growing through the work we do.

Kia ora

My name’s Simon and I’m a youth worker at Challenge 2000.

I moved to New Zealand from England in early 2018. My background is in dance, specifically b-boying (breaking). In England the main part of my dance career was made up from being involved in dance and arts projects designed for young people.

Since moving to New Zealand I have become part of the dance scene and regularly teach, perform and compete.

As well as dance I also draw, paint, carve and produce music. I enjoy sharing these passions and helping others find ways of expressing themselves.