Our Team
Fa’afetai Avei
Shadez Moke-Belmont
Sr Marie Roche
Tito Kisona
Kitty McKinley
Trish Dean
Felise So’oa
Viv Campbell
Maria-Jose Isaza
Dawn Tararo
Jonathan Pierce
D’Angelo-Gabriel Baice
Kat Birdling
Desiree Harawira
Erika Cortez
Haraina Martin
Sarah Boniface
Petrina Foaese
Kauri Brown
Kasileta Seko
Simon Ravenhill
Tamsyn Sutherland
Bobby Gibbins
Wame Salabogi
Adam Bain
Eddie Condra
Petonio Foaese
Jess Speechlay
Steve O’Connor
Jacob Bang
Mitchel Cheu
Rebecca Foley
Natasha Henry
Carlida Te Awhe
Melisha Isa’ako
Keza Wardlaw
Semanaia Agafili
Ana Baice
Fa’afetai Avei
Transitions Team Leader
Shadez Moke-Belmont
Intern
Sr Marie Roche
Kaitiaki
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.
Tito Kisona
Social Worker
Kitty McKinley
Founder and Project Manager
I am the Founder of Challenge 2000, which I established in 1988 as a local youth initiative to support young people to develop and achieve their potential and older people to serve and thrive not just survive. I did not expect Challenge to reach thirty years of age! But here we are and here I am!
For the past forty years I have worked with young people, families, agencies, businesses and interest groups to assist them to overcome challenges positively and to function in a life giving, participative and just way.
At the moment I manage a lot of Challenge projects and also do a fair bit of troubleshooting and advice at a local and national level. I also provide training programmes, facilitation services and supervision on a myriad of topics. The money goes back to Challenge to support those who struggle.
My philosophy is that “love works” sooner or later. So with a bit of that and a bit of knowledge and professionalism all things are possible.
Trish Dean
Administration Manager
Felise So’oa
Missions Coordinator
Viv Campbell
Youth Services Manager
Kia ora. I am originally from Taranaki o Ngati Ruanui me Te Atiawa and currently living in Wellington.
I am hugely appreciative to be part of the Challenge 2000 whanau and count it a massive privilege to be part of team that is passionate about enhancing peoples’ lives for the greater good.
Maria-Jose Isaza
Intern
Hola! Cómo estás? I am Maria one of the interns here at Challenge 2000.
Pequeñas cosas sobre mi! Well, I was born in Colombia and when I was 4 years old I moved to Ecuador with Mom and few years later moved to New Zealand with my family in 2019 and we have lived in Wellington since then. I have 3 brothers and 1 sister,yes! I’m the middle child.
I met Kitty and Steve a couple of years ago under very difficult circumstances and they welcomed me and my family into the beautiful family that they are which they introduced me to what Challenge is and what they do.
I always felt intrigued of what would it be like to be part of Challenge 2000 and a couple of months ago I decided to join to Challenge 2000 to the Intern Programme because they offered me the chance to experience new things,try and explore different things, find my pathway, my purpose in life and I can also help others which I’m passionate about.
Dawn Tararo
Kia ora, Sabaidee.
My name is Dawn Tararo, I have joined the MASSISS team at Challenge 2000 and I will be based at Porirua College as the Social Worker. I am of Laos descent, a small country in South East Asia. I was born in a refugee camp in Thailand. My whānau and I moved to New Zealand in 1991. My husband and our three daughters live in Porirua East and have been there since. We are Porirua proud!
Between having our daughters, I have been in Social services for over 8 years in different NGO’s. I take pride in any mahi that I undertake. I am still as passionate as I was when I decided to study Social Work in 2013.
I am a people person and I love a good chat! I am easy-going (sometimes the odd blonde moments) which allows me to connect and build relationships with people from all walks of life. I enjoy spending quality time with my whānau.
I look forward to supporting our rangatahi at Porirua College to guide them to be the best version of themselves. I am excited to become a part of the Challenge 2000 whānau.
“poipoia te kākano kia puāwai”
“nurture the seed and it will bloom”
Khop Jai.Jonathan Pierce
Capability Development Manager
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.
D’Angelo-Gabriel Baice
Intern
Kat Birdling
Senior Social Worker – Practice and Quality Assurance
Erika Cortez
Intern
Haraina Martin
Youth Worker
Sarah Boniface
Youth Worker
Petrina Foaese
Youth Worker
Talofa lava. My name is Petrina Foaese, My family and I are from the beautiful island of Samoa. Challenge 2000 has many values that my Aiga and I hold close to our hearts.
I am privileged to work for such a giving and loving organisation. I have always wanted to give back to my community and I thank Challenge 2000 for helping me achieve this goal. I am currently working at Taita and Aotea Colleges doing youth work with awesome rangatahi under the Youth Worker in secondary schools support programme.
This is great as it gives me and insight in what is needed out in the community to develop and harness the strengths of young people. It gives me the opportunity to work alongside youth and listen to their beautiful stories.
I graduated with a BA in criminology and education at Victoria university and I believe this study is helping me understand more about the work we do and why we love it.
Everyday is different at Challenge2000 and I am truly blessed to be part of this amazing Aiga.
Kauri Brown
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
Kasileta Seko
Intern
Talofa lava. My name is Kasileta Seko. I'm originally from the beautiful Island of Samoa. I was raised in Marton since I was 6 and I am currently living in Wellington.
I am proud to have attended and lead St Peter's College Palmerston North.
I am an intern at Challenge2000. I took this gap year program because I wanted to help give back to the community, as well as to help me figure out what I want to do in the future, and I know that Challenge2000 will help me with that. I am excited to see what Challenge2000 has in store for me.
Simon Ravenhill
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.
Tamsyn Sutherland
Senior Youth Worker
Bobby Gibbins
Youth & Community Worker
Adam Bain
MASSISS Team Leader
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.
Eddie Condra
Chaplain
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.
Petonio Foaese
Intern
Steve O’Connor
Supported Accommodation Manager
Phone
Jacob Bang
Counsellor
Rebecca Foley
MASSISS Social Worker
Natasha Henry
Intern
Carlida Te Awhe
Intern
Kia Ora, My name is Carlida, I am an intern at challenge 2000, my purpose here is to support young people, & mentor students who need the help whether it be in education or social activities.
Also building up my portfolio to become a cop once I leave challenge to pursue my career.
Melisha Isa’ako
Social Worker
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!Keza Wardlaw
Youth Worker
Semanaia Agafili
Intern
Ana Baice
Community and Ministry Support Worker