Meet our Trustees
JAMES BATY – Trust Chairperson
James Baty is of Rongomaiwahine, Ngati Konohi and Ngai Tai descent.
He was educated at Kokako School, Waikaremoana and Te Aute College, Hastings where he was a Prefect and awarded dux. He went on to study at Waikato and Victoria Universities. He is currently in an executive leadership role at the Gisborne District Council.
James believes Wairoa is an incredible place to live with its natural beauty, friendly people and relaxed lifestyle. To affect change, he believes the community needs strong leadership with a coordinated and collaborative approach. Where our young people are concerned, he sees the Wairoa Young Achievers Trust as playing a significant role in working towards growing youth achievement.
James sees his role on the trust as one of encouraging, promoting and supporting youth development in order to enable youth to achieve their potential and to become successful and responsible adults who make positive contributions to our community.
Kati, nau te rourou naku te rourou ka ora ai te iwi
With your basket and my basket the people will flourish
Describe your perfect day spent in Wairoa district?
My perfect day would be spent with family out in nature maybe at Mahia or Waikaremoana, good food, good weather and good company.
DENISE EAGLESOME-KAREKARE – Trustee
Ko Whakapunake te Maunga
Ko Wairoa Hopupu Honengenenge 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 māma
Ko Denise Eaglesome-Karekare ahau
Denise has deep roots in the Wairoa community. She attended North Clyde School and Wairoa College and lives on her tūpuna whenua, in the homestead she was raised in by her mother. She is one of eight siblings. Denise is married to Michael, and they have a son, Hugh, and a whāngai daughter, Gabby.
Denise is WYAT’s Chief Executive and has been involved in delivering youth services for more than 15 years, mostly under the Trust’s umbrella. She holds many roles throughout and on behalf of the community, with a particular commitment to youth advocacy. These include: current Wairoa District Councillor and Deputy Mayor; WYAT Trustee; Kahui Chair for Te Wairoa Tapokorau Whānui Trust; WDC Economic Development Committee Chairperson; member of the WDC Infrastructure, Finance Audit and Risk and Youth Council committees; HB Regional Skills Leadership Group member; Director for Tātau Tātau o Te Wairoa Housing LP; Te Matau a Māui Health Trust trustee; and Toitū Housing Wairoa Coalition member. She also coordinates CACTUS on behalf of WYAT.
Denise loves everything about Wairoa and is passionate about the community and the youth who inspire her work. She feels WYAT’s role is to provide pathways, support, encouragement, and role models for youth.
Whāia te pae tawhiti kia tata, whāia te pae tata kia mau.
“Pursue the distant pathways of your dreams so they may become your reality.”
Describe your perfect day spent in Wairoa district:
Relaxing in my home with my whānau around me. Simple, but extremely important to me right now.
SARA BIRD - Trustee
Ko Rongomaiwahine me Ngāti Kahungunu ōku iwi.
Ko Mike Bird rāua ko Airini Bird (Ormond) ōku matua.
Ko Dan Couper ōku tāne.
Ko Zane rātau ko Thornton, ko Brock ōku tama.
Nō te Wairoa ahau.
Ko Sara Bird ahau.
Sara was born and raised in Wairoa and is currently the manager at the Wairoa Community Centre.
She has volunteered in many areas of the district – planning, supporting, delivering, and coaching to share knowledge, upskill, and empower rangatahi to become young leaders.
In her spare time, Sara loves fishing, hunting, gardening, knitting, and creating.
Whānau time is most important to her, so when the opportunity arises, Sara will be either travelling to Napier or Feilding to see her mokopuna, sons, and their wives/partners. She has five mokopuna – Ares, Freyja, Blair, Bobbie, and Mahia.
Her passion for young people comes from her upbringing. She wants to give back to the local community and share the knowledge she has been given to ensure young people have the information they need, not just in sport.
Describe your perfect day spent in Wairoa district:
It would be getting up in the morning, walking around our small lifestyle block with my mokopuna, collecting kai, then either heading to the pools or the beach for the day. Later, we would come home for a whānau kai with food we’ve dived for and gathered from the maara.
SEAN GASKIN – Trustee
Sean was born in Windsor, United Kingdom and is of English and Irish descent.
On leaving school, he trained to be a chef and then spent many years travelling, living and working around the world.
On returning to the UK, Sean decided on a career change and being of an adventurous artistic nature, he settled in London and became a freelance cartoonist.
After living on the Mediterranean island of Malta and then Australia, Sean moved to New Zealand in 2000 where he established the Hope In Life Trust in Auckland. The trust worked with the NZ Kidney Foundation to produce 12,000 cartoon books every year for 10 years to entertain, educate and reassure children who were in hospitals throughout New Zealand.
Sean moved to Wairoa in 2004 and fell in love with the district and its people.
He worked with the late Ralph and Pat Wichers, minding and educating children, under the church banner. He was invited to become a WYAT trustee in 2005 and subsequently designed the organisations logo.
As an original WYAT trustee, Sean wants to continue supporting youth development and encouraging young people to believe in themselves to become high achievers. He is on the grant sub-committee.
Describe your perfect day spent in Wairoa district?
It would be either cooking up a storm, using the fruit, vegetables and herbs I grow in my large back garden and the meat I purchase from local hunters, or to be out and about in the district, socialising with all the many people I have the pleasure of knowing.
ROSLYN THOMAS - Trustee
Roslyn Thomas is a founding trustee who played a pivotal role in reactivating the Wairoa Young Achievers Trust (WYAT) and securing its registration as a charitable entity. Roz is deeply embedded in the Wairoa district, actively contributing to business, economic, and community development initiatives. Her comprehensive understanding of the rural township and its people has made her a respected leader in the community.
Economically, Roz has been involved in several impactful projects, including the creation of Wairoa Upstream, a business action incorporated society, and the formation of Vision Projects, a community and economic development company. She also spearheaded the intensive 2013 Business Week and completed an environmental scan of Wairoa’s business landscape.
Roz’s voluntary work has been equally significant. She has led and managed fundraising efforts for numerous local causes, including upgrading the Wairoa Water Ski Club and building Tiaho School’s obstacle course. In just one year, Roz raised over $100,000 for WYAT projects, supporting initiatives like CACTUS, NEET, Ross Shield, Wairoa Athletics, and the Duke of Edinburgh Award. She was the driving force behind WYAT’s creation of Wairoa’s Destination Playground, overseeing the design process and securing necessary funding.
In 2022, Roz was elected to the Wairoa District Council, further extending her influence and leadership within the community.
Roslyn and her husband live in the Wairoa district, where they have developed a citrus orchard. They are proud parents of three adult daughters.
Describe your perfect day spent in Wairoa district?
My perfect day in Wairoa starts with a peaceful walk by the river, followed by visiting local markets and catching up with the community. I’d spend the afternoon at the beach or Lake Waikaremoana with family, and end the day at our citrus orchard, enjoying a relaxed dinner with loved ones.
ROBERT HAMBLYN - Trustee
Robert Hamblyn was born and educated in Gisborne.
He moved to Wairoa in 1978 to teach at Wairoa Intermediate, with the intent of being here a short time.
He was appointed Principal at Waihua and Turiroa Schools prior to moving to Wairoa College in the mid 1990s. He has retired from full time teaching but is still involved in education in a relieving capacity and works with Wairoa Taiwhenua and the Attendance Service supporting students and their learning pathways.
Robert’s children were all raised and educated in Wairoa and, for two of them, received unparalleled community support in their sporting endeavours to reach the international stage.
Robert says it was this support, and his love for Wairoa, that has kept him here.
As a teacher, the youth of Wairoa are certainly a large part of Robert’s life. He sees an unrealised potential in local young people across all areas of life.
As a WYAT trustee, Robert believes his role is to continue to give support, not only to wider projects, but to individuals to support them to achieve at a higher level.
“We can be another part of the village that helps to raise the child”.
In his ‘semi’ retirement has plays as much golf as time permits and still enjoys the battles on the squash court.
Describe your perfect day spent in and around Wairoa?
My ideal day includes a mixture of “work”, sport and spending time with family. My wife, Diane, has just retired and spending time together will be something to look forward to in the future.
Meet our Staff
From left to right: Sam Payne, Jaimee Tapine, Paku Hiko, Beverly Jury, Alannah Marshall, Denise Eaglesome-Karekare, Harlene Waikawa, and Kimiroa Hubbard.
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’m the Cyclone Recovery Support Officer and Receptionist. This newly developed role allows me to help whānau and businesses affected by the cyclone, and also to manage front of house, ensuring quality customer service.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
I enjoy connecting whānau with the help they need. Seeing the joy on their faces after they receive the assistance they sought is deeply rewarding.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I love spending time with my baby and catching up with whānau and friends.
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 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 assist young people aged 16 to 24 in finding stable training or job opportunities. I also advocate for rangatahi and their whānau, working closely with employers to co-create opportunities for our young people.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
The most rewarding part of my job is supporting rangatahi with personal development, finding valuable opportunities, obtaining licenses, and helping their families overcome obstacles. Seeing their achievements, whether big or small, brings me great joy.
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 hold a dual role as Youth Coach and Administration Specialist. As the Administration Specialist, I manage the trust’s administration. As a Youth Coach, I support our young parent clients with their beneficiary payments and assist in placing rangatahi into education, training, or sustainable employment.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
I feel privileged to be part of a team that directly supports rangatahi, helping them achieve their goals. No day is ever the same.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I lead a relatively low-key lifestyle, spending most of my time with my daughter and partner. I also enjoy music, a good cuppa tea or kai, and kōrero with friends and whānau.
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, 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.
KIMIROA 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.