Our Team

Melisha Isa’ako

Steve O’Connor

Tyrese Tomasi

Damian Dempsey

Kat Birdling

Fa’afetai Avei

Jared Tofaeono

Jeffrey Reuelu-Smith

Jessica-Maraea Mako-Andersen

Sherrie Wharewaka-Paulo

Josh Mills

Mahue Tarawa

Zach Ready

Kitty McKinley

Bobby Gibbins

John Robinson

Steph Penny

Jonathan Pierce

Anika Burbery

Matthew Mason

Tamsyn Sutherland

Petrina Foaese

Felise So’oa

Heath Hutton

Hine Hough

Emma Middleton

Mel Dalbeth

Ebony Ngatoko

Wame Salabogi

Pip Dorn

Eddie Condra

Eleanor Hautler

Junior Seumanufagai

Sr Marie Roche

Lano Afutoto

Sophie Jennings

Trish Dean

Sara Shepherd

Tito Kisona

Sarah Boniface

Jacob Bang


Steve O’Connor
Transition Services Manager
Phone


Damian Dempsey
Director


Kat Birdling
Social Worker


Fa’afetai Avei
Social Worker


Jeffrey Reuelu-Smith
Youth Worker


Jessica-Maraea Mako-Andersen
Group Programme Facilitator
Takiri ko te ata ki runga ki a Aorangi maunga, maturu ana nga wai tomairangi ki te awa o Moawhango, ko te whare e tu kau ana ko te whare tapu o Oruamatua, he hau mahana he hau kawatawata e pupuhi mai ana ki te marae o Te Riu o Puanga, kowai te iwi e tu mai nei, ko Ngati Whitikaupeka, o Mokai Patea Nui Tonu, e tau ana.
Tena ra tatou katou, my name is Jessica-Maraea, my role at C2k is to facilitate the M.E.M.E (Mana Enhancement Mastery Engagement) program in English and in Te Reo Maori, my background is in Kohanga/Puna reo with a couple of years in day care, working with taiohi (youth) has been an exciting change in pace for me, many opportunities for me to grow and develop as a facilitator. I (along side the other Maori staff at C2k) also help out at challenge with any Te Reo Maori or Tikanga Maori related things that may pop up, we also help to facilitate NCEA papers around protocol on the marae.
I came on board in August 2021 and am loving working here, being able to support rangatahi through my Maoritanga has been especially fulfilling for me. Nga manaakitanga o te wa.


Sherrie Wharewaka-Paulo
Youth Worker
Ko Puhangatohora te Maunga, Mangatawa te Awa, Ngatokimatawhaorua te waka, Pukerata te Marae, Ngaitu te hapu, Ngapuhi-nui-tonu te Iwi, No Otaua taku turangawaewae ahakoa e noho ana au ki Te Whanganui a Tara inainei.
Tena koe, Ko Sherrie Wharewaka-Paulo taku ingoa! At present I am employed by this wonderful organization as a Kaimahi Rangatahi, a flash word to meaning Youth Worker since the beginning of this year. Over the years I have been involved with Challenge 2000 in many different forms but this by far is my favorite. Youth work on a daily for me has many different strands but the core to enhance rangatahi to be the best them remains.


Josh Mills
Social Worker and Youth Worker
Kia ora, my name is Josh Mills and I am a Social Worker here at Challenge 2000. I completed my Bachelor of Social Work at the University of Otago in 2018.
My journey in Social Work began here in early 2019. I have a passion for working with young people and supporting them to reach their full potential. During this time my role has consisted of one to one to one mentoring, one to one education, facilitating youth programmes and community Social Work. At the beginning of 2021, I started my new role as a Social Worker at Naenae College.


Mahue Tarawa
Youth Worker
Tēnā tātou,
Tātou o te nāianei e whakapapa ana ki hea, ki hea, nō reira kia whakarāpopoto noatia ki ngā maungawhakahī.
Ko Tongariro me Pūhanga tohora ōku maunga!
Ko Mahue Albert tōku ingoa.
Throughout my life I have aspired to develop, support and evaluate interventions that will enhancethe well-being for individuals, whānau and communities in Aotearoa with specific focus on rangatahimāori. I started working for Challenge 2000 in 2020 as I strongly believe that our organisation’svalues and vision encompass the development of rangatahi. I support the Youth Justice andTransitions and Employment skills programmes here at Challenge 2000 with the flexibility to supportwherever is needed.
I am very fortunate to be able to jump onboard our Challenge 2000 waka to help navigate and shapeour journey.


Zach Ready
Youth Worker and Educator
Kia ora readers, Zach Ready here, believer, hip-hop artist, and servant of Challenge2000. I was first introduced to Challenge through an awesome whanau wedding in early 2019. Fate would have it I started working for Challenge in late 2020.
Prior to Challenge, I made the most of a decade-plus long career in the events industry, the last seven years in a managerial role. This included work alongside the NZSO, RNZB, Arise Church, WOW, WCC, the NZ Govt etc. I have also been active as a hip-hop musician since my early twenties, emceeing, co-producing, mentoring, DJing and so on. I have collaborated with Stic of Dead Prez, Kool G Rap, and more locally the likes of Chris CK of Raw Collective fame, and the legendary DJ Sir-Vere. Over the years I've had the opportunity to perform in Europe and Asia, as well as in my hometown of Wellington. In addition to music & biz, I would say fellowshipping, travelling, working out & nutrition are great passions of mine. With a quality over quantity approach to travel, I have been to close to 30 countries. Highlights include reaching the top of Kilimanjaro. Walking along the great wall of China, visiting the pyramids in Egypt, and attending music festivals in Spain, USA, Australia and Sweden. To date, I have completed three marathons, including the Queenstown International, and have also done volunteer work in parts of Africa, as well as helping out with annual appeals for the likes of St. Johns and the Wellington Samaritans back home in Aotearoa.
I sometimes joke that I couldn't wait for the world and was actually born inside a 'Housing New Zealand' flat. I am of mixed British and Scandanavian descent, predominantly Irish, and consider myself an Earthling, rather than segregated by race or cultural background. Coming from a solo parent background I see myself in a lot of the rangatahi, families and community we work with, and this is what drives the way I relate to others and my passion to help them. If you're yet to see the documentary 'Aroha Noa' about the history of Challenge2000, I highly recommend checking it out through Maori Television's on-demand service. Ma te Atua koutou e manaaki e tiaki i nga wa katoa!


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.


Bobby Gibbins
Youth & Community Worker
Kia ora!
My name is Bobby and I am a Youth and Community worker and also a Mates and Dates Facilitator 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.


John Robinson
Business Manager


Steph Penny
Mates and Dates Co-Ordinator
I have been around Challenge 2000 for a long time and in lots of different roles.
I've been a youth leader, volunteer, mentor, youth worker and I'm currently the Mates and Dates Co-Ordinator and do other bits of youth and community work. I enjoy running programmes and used to be a Programme Facilitator at the Department of Corrections for 7 years delivering rehabilitation programmes in the prisons and community. I've also worked at Victoria University in Halls of Residence.
Challenge 2000 is a wonderful place and I feel very fortunate to be back again!


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.


Matthew Mason
Youth Worker
Hello everyone, I'm Matt and I work with Challenge 2000 as a Youth Worker. I graduated with a degree in Criminology and Sociology from the University of Derby in England in 2006, became a mentor for Year 11 students and then made the transition to qualified teacher.
I moved away from England in 2011; spending a year in Beijing, China, six years in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and most recently a short spell in Koje, South Korea, before coming to New Zealand in December 2018.
Working for Challenge encompasses all of my interests in youth work; education, support, justice, growth and responsibility, and I am excited to work with our young people to support them as they navigate their life journey.


Tamsyn Sutherland
Senior Youth Worker
Kia ora, I'm Tamsyn, a Youth Worker here at Challenge 2000. I was raised in sunny Nelson before moving to Dunedin where I lived for the past twelve years. I graduated from the University of Otago with a Bachelor of Arts in Education and from Praxis with a Diploma of Youth Work. My husband and I moved to Wellington at the end of 2020 when I joined the Challenge 2000 whanau. I have worked as a Youth Worker since 2010 in Dunedin and feel privileged to have worked alongside so many rangatahi and their whanau and am excited to continue this work here in Wellington with Challenge.
My work at Challenge is with the Transition and Mentoring Service as well as supporting practice of the Youth Work team as Community Team Leader. I am passionate about seeing people discover their strengths, achieve their goals.


Petrina Foaese
Youth Worker
Talofa lava. My name is Petrina Foaese, My family and I are from the beautiful island of Samoa. I have been at challenge for 2 years and am enjoying every bit of it . 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 in the Hutt Valley colleges doing youth work with awesome rangatahi under the Youth Worker in secondary schools government support programme.
This is great as it gives me and insight i 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. Another programme I am involved in is Mates and Dates in the whole Wellington Region.This programme focuses on young people developing healthy relationships and recognising when relationships are damaging and put the young people in danger.
I am also currently studying a BA in criminology and education at Victoria university. 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.


Felise So’oa
Missions Coordinator


Heath Hutton
Psychologist
Tēnā koutou katoa, ko Heath Hutton taku ingoa. I have returned to Challenge 2000 after working at WellStop, finishing my Masters of Arts at Massey University, and completing my training to become a Registered Psychologist. Challenge 2000 has been an important part of my journey since I attended a leadership development programme in 2003. Since then, I have worked in a variety of roles at Challenge 2000 and had a few stints in a couple of other organisations both in New Zealand and in Sydney, Australia.
I am passionate about social justice, with a particular interest in criminal justice advocacy, having been involved in the formation of JustSpeak. I also have an interest in the prevention of sexual violence, which was the focus of my Masters thesis. I look forward to using the things I have learnt during my Psychological study to support and assist young people and their families.
I am so grateful to be back amongst the passionate and skilled staff of this great organisation.


Emma Middleton
Executive Assistant
Kia ora! I'm Emma, the Executive Assistant here at Challenge 2000.
I was raised in Auckland and moved to Wellington for University, where I have stayed put for 7 years. I studied Commerce and Arts and afterwards I worked for an accounting firm for almost two years.
My journey with Challenge 2000 started in 2020, and I feel very privileged to be part of the whanau. The passion, aroha and charism that Challenge has is inspiring and I feel lucky to be working towards a better Aotearoa.


Mel Dalbeth
Practice Leader
“Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini”
“My strength is not as an individual, but as a collective”
Kia ora tatou, Ko Mel toku ingoa,
I first came to Challenge 2000 in 2014 as a Social worker, I was contracted by Challenge to the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) Youth Development Unit (YDU) unit, specifically with the Limited Service Volunteer programme in Hobsonville Auckland.
I left Challenge in 2016 and continued to work for the NZDF as a Social worker supporting Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen to be operationally ready for deployment. I then transitioned into a Senior Social work position supporting the Youth development Unit Headquarters. I was responsible for a team of Social workers situated across 3 different Military sites. I continued my role with the Military by training uniformed personnel to work with Young persons.
My passion is working with teams and developing training to support ongoing professional development and practice. I am privileged to join the dynamic team that Challenge 2000 is, and to continue to provide service within our community.


Ebony Ngatoko
Social Worker
Kai ka pou, tangata kia ora - Food to be all eaten, man to live.
Te moana nui a kiva te moana
Te Kuki Airani raua ko Hamoa te iwi
Mitiaro raua ko Nofoali'ii te hapu
I tipu ake ahau i raro i te maunga o Whitireia
E noho ana ahau i raro i te maru o Te Ope Whakaora
Nā te awa o Parerua ahau i whāngai
O lo'u igoa o Ebony Ngatoko.
I am a part of the MASSISS team. I have been employed by Te wero rua mano since 2019.
Being involved in the life of rangatahi is a privilege I hold close. Life is amazing when you allow rangatahi to just be their authentic selves.


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.


Eleanor Hautler
Teacher and Volunteer
Kia Ora I’m Eleanor and after a career in teaching I have joined the team at Challenge 2000. My role is about being available and supporting others on their journey.
This ranges from educational input for students at our school, pastoral care of students and families in the community, teaching young people to cook and sew and learn practical life skills and simply being on hand to assist others.
The most exciting thing about being part of challenge is witnessing the charism of Challenge 2000 and the Marist values in action. I enjoy my work and value being part of this team.


Junior Seumanufagai
Youth Worker


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.



Lano Afutoto
Youth Worker


Sophie Jennings
Social Worker
Kia ora, I started my journey with Challenge 2000 as a social work student on my first placement through the Master of Applied Social Work degree provided by Massey University.
I have since completed my first placement and have been working for Challenge 2000 full time as a transition worker. This role gives me the privilege to walk alongside young people to prepare them for their transition into adulthood. This transition can be a difficult time for many young people due to some inevitable major life changes. Challenge 2000’s transition program allows me to help prepare young people before this transition period to support them on their journey to becoming an adult.
Challenge 2000 works to make young people the best versions of themselves and welcomes all that comes through our doors. I know this because I too have been on the receiving end of this and have felt heavily supported as both a staff member and as a placement student. Challenge 2000 is a great workplace to be a part of as it not only does amazing work to support young people in the community, but also supports the professional and personal development of its staff members.


Trish Dean
Administration Manager


Sara Shepherd
Youth Worker
Kia ora koutou!
My name is Sara Shepherd and I am a youth worker at Challenge2000. I am also currently studying for my Bachelor of Social Work. The best part about my work at challenge is the many opportunities it provides me to connect with a wide variety of youth and families from the community.
My drive for being a youth worker here is being able to support the journey of growth and change of the young people I work with.
One thing I love about Challenge2000 is the feeling of Whanaungatanga - a sense of kinship and connectedness. I feel this is very much present in the way Challenge2000 works.
Challenge2000 brings people together and we are all as individuals, at our best when we are united. I strive to uphold this value in the way I work with individuals, families and communities.



Tito Kisona
Social Worker
Ko te ahurei o te tamaiti aroha o tätou tamaiti mahi – let the uniqueness of the child guide our work(whakatauki)
Mihi mahana kia koutou e hoa ma! Malo ni! my name is Tito Kisona, I am of Tokelau decent, bornand raised in the greatest city ever Cannons Creek - Porirua! A community that has fostered theimportance of who I am, my culture and faith.
I am a father of 4 children, a set of twins, a girl, and our foster son (yes, it is a busy household) and ahusband to one! (ha ha) – so the daily art of multi-tasking and having flexibility whilst remainingpersonable, positive and approaching tasks hands-on is a 24.7 thing and definitely transferable inother aspects of my work. My first experience at Challenge was my final placement in my socialwork studies. What I was drawn to was the awhi shown to me by the staff here. I was based as aSocial Worker at Taita college which reinforced my ‘why’ I am a social worker, what it also did wasconfirm the alignment in the work challenge does and I align well with the values that guides me.
As a new practitioner my hope is to work in a capacity where the above whakatauki is upheld -acknowledging the Mana Rangatahi and their whānanu carry and the uniqueness of who they are.Regarding my social work practice, this is my starting point, my first right answer – the next step willbe the journey together.
I look forward to creating intentional connections with those I walk alongside, I am excited aboutgrowing as a social worker in an environment that privileges people – their Mana, their stories, theirpotential first.
Totō hau tokiga nei, auā na tupulaga e fai mai – plant a seed today, for our future generations(Tokelau proverb). Fakafetai.

Jacob Bang
Youth Worker