Meet our Staff
SAM PAYNE
Ko Ōrangi te maunga
Ko Whakakī Nui-a-Rua te wai ū
Ko Takitimu te waka
Ko Whakakī te marae
Ko Ngāi Te Īpū te hapū
Ko Ngāti Kahungunu ki te Wairoa te iwi
Ko Sam Payne ahau
What is your role at WYAT?
I’m the Youth Coach Team Leader for Mayors Taskforce for Jobs (MTFJ). We work closely with local providers and employers to build strong relationships that create opportunities for rangatahi. Our main goal is to help rangatahi achieve their employment or apprenticeship aspirations.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
I take great pride in seeing our rangatahi succeed in their apprenticeships. Supporting whānau to build strong futures is the most rewarding part of this role.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I enjoy playing social sports and spending time at home.
JAIMEE TAPINE
Ko Whakapūnake te maunga
Ko Hangaroa te awa e rere ana ki Te Wairoa Hōpūpū Hōnengenenge Matangirau
Ko Te Reinga te marae
Ko Ngāti Kahungunu ki te Wairoa te iwi
Ko Hinehika te hapū
Ko Takitimu te waka
What is your role at WYAT?
I am a Youth Coach at Wairoa Young Achievers Trust (WYAT) under He Poutama Rangatahi. My role involves supporting rangatahi in our community by helping them upskill and providing guidance as they pursue various qualifications and job opportunities.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
The most fulfilling part of my role is helping rangatahi reach their full potential. I love being able to support them as they gain new skills and watching their confidence grow. It’s a privilege to walk alongside them on their journey and know that the skills they’re gaining will help shape a brighter future.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I love spending time with my daughter and my partner. I also enjoy playing netball and catching up with my whānau and friends whenever I can.
Describe your perfect day out and about in Wairoa.
A day spent at Māhia Beach, swimming, fishing, and diving with family and friends, followed by a whānau dinner to end the day.
PAKU HIKO
Ko Whakapūnake te maunga
Ko Te Wairoa Hōpūpū Hōnengenenge Matangirau te awa
Ko Takitimu te waka
Ko Ruataniwha te marae
Ko Te Poho o Riria te wharenui
Ko Te Kapua-Matotoru te hapū
Ko Ngāti Kahungunu ki te Wairoa te iwi
Ko Rawiri tōku tama
Ko Dave Hiko rāua ko Carla-Jane Hiko ōku mātua
Ko Paku Hiko tōku ingoa
Matua, Tama, Wairua Tapu me ngā Anahera Pono me te Māngai Āe!
What is your role at WYAT?
I am the Contract Lead for the Ākonga Programme. My role is to work alongside ākonga identifying and over come any potential barriers, to maximise their learning opportunities in secondary school education. To also support and look at potential career pathways after school.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
The most rewarding part of my job is supporting our rangatahi to overcome barriers and seeing them achieve better versions of themselves, whether it be big or small.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I spend my spare time with my whānau and keeping up with local sports teams.
Describe your perfect day spent in and around Wairoa.
A great day for me would involve cheering on our local sports teams and enjoying quality time with whānau and friends.
BEVERLY JURY
Born in Wairoa and raised here since childhood. I am of Ngāti Porou descent.
What is your role at WYAT?
I am a Youth Coach, supporting our WYAT NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training), YP (Youth Payment), and YPP (Young Parent Payment) clients.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
I love working with people, especially youth, and helping them achieve their goals, whatever they may be.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I enjoy playing golf, doing farm work, and caring for my pets and any other animals in need—when allowed, of course!
Describe your perfect day out and about in Wairoa.
A perfect day would involve relaxing, shopping, and checking in with whānau.
ALANNAH MARSHALL
Ko Takitimu te waka
Ko Whakapūnake te maunga
Ko Te Wairoa Hōpūpū Hōnengenenge Matangirau te awa
Ko Ngāti Kahungunu te iwi
Ko Ngāi Te Apatu te hapū
Ko Takitimu te marae
Ko Terry Marshall rāua ko Jewell Marshall (née Campbell) ōku mātua
Ko Alannah Marshall ahau
What is your role at WYAT?
I am the WYAT Administration Specialist, and I am grateful to WYAT for supporting me in working remotely. In my role, I oversee contract reporting, manage the trust’s finances, seek funding, and assist with payroll and other administrative tasks.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
What I enjoy most is being able to contribute to my hometown, even while working remotely. I feel lucky to stay connected to the community and hear about the great achievements of our young people and the positive impact WYAT is having on their lives.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I enjoy spending my free time with my partner and daughter, singing along to loud music, and going for walks. I love having a good kōrero and laugh with whānau and friends over a cuppa tea and kai. Living rurally, my goal is to become self-sufficient, so I’m working on improving my gardening and kai gathering skills.
DENISE EAGLESOME-KAREKARE
Ko Whakapūnake te maunga
Ko Te Wairoa Hōpūpū Hōnengenenge Matangirau te awa
Ko Takitimu te waka
Ko Ngāti Kahungunu ki te Wairoa te iwi
Ko Ngāi Te Apatu rāua ko Kurupakiaka ngā hapū
Ko Takitimu rāua ko Taihoa ngā marae
Ko Hugh McGregor (Dick) rāua ko Arawhita Tamati ōku tīpuna
Ko Ramona tōku māmā
Ko Denise Eaglesome-Karekare ahau
What is your role at WYAT?
I am the Chief Executive of WYAT, leading a team of seven. I ensure the effective delivery of four MSD contracts and one MOE pilot. The team has grown over the last two years, and I’m excited to see it expand even further.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
I’m passionate about working with youth and making a difference in their lives. It’s rewarding to see how our mahi positively impacts the community by growing young leaders.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I enjoy staying active and have recently taken up pickleball and yoga, which I absolutely love.
Describe your perfect day out and about in Wairoa.
My perfect day is spent with my whānau, enjoying our home and community.
HARLENE WAIKAWA
Ki te taha o tōku māmā
Ko Whakapūnake-a-te-matau-a-Māui Tikitiki-a-Taranga te maunga
Ko Te Wairoa Hōpūpū Hōnengenenge Matangirau te awa
Ko Takitimu te waka
Ko Manutai te marae
Ko Ngāti Rakaipaaka te hapū
Ko Ngāti Kahungunu ki Te Wairoa te iwi
Ki te taha o tōku pāpā
Ko Ōrangi te maunga
Ko Whakakī Nui-a-Rua te wai ū
Ko Takitimu te waka
Ko Whakakī te marae
Ko Ngāi Te Īpū tōku hapū
Ko Ngāti Kahungunu ki Te Wairoa tōku iwi
What is your role at WYAT?
I’m a Youth Coach and Team Leader under He Poutama Rangatahi. I support rangatahi and their wider whānau into sustainable employment or meaningful training. I also assist with drivers’ licenses, advocacy, and pastoral care.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
I love getting to awhi our whānau around the rohe. Building relationships with rangatahi and their wider whānau, engaging with the community, and networking are my favourite parts of the role. For me, it’s the small things that matter the most – great things are done by bringing small things together.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I’m a bit OCD, so I love mowing my lawns, doing yard work, and spring cleaning. I also spend quality time with my tamariki and whānau.
Describe your perfect day spent in and around Wairoa.
Whakapapa wānanga – learning, reconnecting, and maintaining our whakapapa.
KIMIORA HUBBARD
He uri tēnei nō Ngāti Kahungunu ki te Wairoa, Waikato-Tainui, Muaūpoko, Rangitāne ki Tamaki-nui-a-Rua, Ngāi Tahu me Tūwharetoa anō hoki.
I tipu ake ahau ki Te Wairoa i raro i te maunga o Whakapūnake i te waka Takitimu.
Rere iho te wai o Hangaroa ki Te Wairoa Hōpūpū Hōnengenenge Matangirau.
Ki Te Wairoa, he whakapapa nōku ki roto o Ngāti Pēhi, Ngāi Te Kapua-mātotoru, Te Iwi Katea, Ngāti Hinehika, Ngāti Kohatu, Ngāi Te Apatu, Rotoatara Paia-Te-Rangi me Ngāti Pāhauwera anō hoki.
He hononga ki ngā marae o Te Reinga, Ruataniwha, Takitimu me Waipapa-a-Iwi.
What is your role at WYAT?
I am a Youth Coach with the Mayors Taskforce for Jobs. My role involves supporting rangatahi into employment and working alongside local employers to ensure long-term employee retention.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
The best part of my job is knowing that I help build the capacity of our rangatahi, their whānau, hapū, and iwi. I love being part of their journey, helping them navigate both the highs and lows, which are equally important in developing future leaders.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I enjoy spending time with my friends and whānau, and playing a bit of social netball. Self-care is also something I value.
KATHLEEN PICKERING
Ko Whakapūnake te maunga
Ko Te Wairoa Hōpūpū Hōnengenenge Matangirau te awa
Ko Ngāti Kahungunu te iwi
Ko Takitimu te marae
Ko Kathleen Pickering ahau
What is your role at WYAT?
I am a Principal Advisor for the trust, providing guidance to our CEO and board members. I have supported WYAT with administration for many years, and it’s been incredible to see our small trust grow so quickly and continue to thrive.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
I love being part of a not-for-profit organisation that genuinely makes a difference in the lives of those in our community who need support.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I enjoy spending time in nature and expressing my creativity.
Describe your perfect day out and about in Wairoa.
My perfect day would be out on the water fishing at Lake Waikaremoana, listening to birdsong, and exploring the bush with a good walk.
JESSE GERRARD
Ko Mokotahi te maunga
Ko Whangawehi te awa
Ko Takitumu te waka
Ko Ruawharo te marae
Ko Ngāi Tama te hapū
Ko Rongomaiwahine te iwi
What is your role at WYAT?
As a Contracts Administrator at WYAT, I manage various programs focused on supporting rangatahi and our wider community, particularly in the Ngātahi Licencing Programme and community funding spaces.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
What I love most about my role is the opportunity to be back home, using my skills to make a real difference. It’s truly special to be part of a team that’s so passionate about supporting rangatahi.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
In my spare time, I cherish moments with my small whānau and our kuri in Opoutama. We enjoy watching and playing sports together, and I love getting creative at home, often roping my whānau into my latest DIY projects!
Describe your perfect day out and about in Wairoa.
My perfect day would be spent at the beach with my whānau and kuri, enjoying some quality time together.