Family SupportWe can see you here or visit you in your home to offer support in parenting, family violence, advocacy, self-confidence, and other ways of developing your strengths. We also give support in dealing with Government Agencies.
About the Kainga Aroha Team
Our team
Our team is made up of permanent staff, and volunteers who are happy to welcome you, lend a sympathetic ear, and help you in any way we can. We are from many different backgrounds.
OPEN 9 — 5 MONDAY – FRIDAY. Our answerphone will take your call after hours or if both our lines are busy.
About the Kainga Aroha Team
Whānau/Family Support worker. Social worker
Kaumatua, grandfather, husband, father, uncle, brother......Kaitiaki
I am Maori
Descendant of Ngati Rereahu and Ngati Tuwharetoa
Born and raised in Taumarunui before relocating to Wellington in 1978.
Left College in 1981 with University Entrance and Higher School Certificate.
9 years working in various Government Department Head Offices in Wellington.
Left Wellington 1988, as a solo father, raising my daughter for the next 16 years in Waikato.
Achieved Bachelors in Bi-cultural Social Work Practice at Te Wananga O Aotearoa (2008).
Qualified and Registered Social Worker (2010).
12 years Care and Protection Social Worker at Child, Youth and Family.
8 years Manager at Kainga Aroha Community House.
20 years Marae, Education and Maori Land Trusts Trustee experience.
30 years coaching children, teenagers and adults in various sports and activities.
Kaumatua, grandfather, husband, father, uncle, brother......Kaitiaki.
"Unconditional regard towards the safety and wellbeing of others.....especially children"
Family Harm Worker/Supervised Contact Coordinator
Family Violence Intervention and Advocacy
Supervised Contact Coordinator
Administration
Member of Aotearoa NZ Association of Supervised Contact Services (ANZASCS)
I have been at Kainga Aroha Community House since 2007. I am passionate about keeping families safe, and have been working in the family harm sector for over 18 years providing crisis intervention support and advocacy, support with parenting orders and protection orders applications.
As the Supervised Contact Coordinator, I work a in collaboration with Ministry of Social Development, Ministry of Justice, Lawyers and individuals to ensure that a safe and family focused environment is provided during visits.
Finance Manager/Office Administrator
Bachelor of Counselling
I joined the Community House in January 2009, in the last year of completing my Bachelor of Counselling. In 2012, while Counselling at Kainga Aroha, I picked up the Finance Manager role and continued filling both positions.
As the financial administration grew, I relinquished my counselling in 2025 after 16 awesome years in the position, to concentrate on the Finance Managers role.
Liaising with the Ministry of Social Development, Oranga Tamariki, other funders and our Finance Committee, I manage MSD & OT contracts, finances and staff reporting.
I am passionate about and committed to organising and managing financial operations, processes and records and administration responsibilities.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, chilling with a cuppa, watching home renovation shows, reading, gardening and photography amongst other interests.
Whanau Resilience Kaimahi
Triple P parenting program accredited
Hi, I’m the Whanau Resilience Kaimahi.
In a nutshell my job is about helping people to prevent domestic violence and to recover from the trauma and impact associated with living this life.
Through my mahi we provide a wrap around service that links people with the tools, services or assistance you need for as long as you need them. This is called Whare Te kotahitanga.
I am passionate about supporting people to live the life they want rather than the one they were dealt.
I believe we need to get more assistance to address the layers of trauma that people face as this is largely the root cause of domestic violence. These start right back with historical and intergenerational trauma, then childhood trauma and are generally followed by ongoing trauma through the teenage and adult years.
I previously worked in advertising and promotions. I have spent the last ten years being a leader at the Kainga Aroha Holiday Camp and prior to this role I was the Te Awamutu Violence Free Coordinator where I was responsible for running awareness campaigns around domestic violence and helping people connect with those who can help.
Mum to two wonderful children – Jess and Floyd, and partner to Dave who is better known as “Space Dave”.
Tēna koutou katoa
Ko Kaweka te maunga
Ko Mohaka te awa
No Puketitiri, Te Matau a Māui ahau
Ko Pakeha te iwi
Kei Te Awamutu ahau e noho ana
Ko Ange Holt tōku ingoa
Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou
Building Financial Capability Mentor
Born in England and after living in various parts of Aotearoa New Zealand we settled in Te Awamutu in 2004. I have a background in hospitality and as a midlife crisis started studying social science. Married to Andy, we have two grown up daughters & assorted fur babies.
I came to the Community House as a volunteer with the Children’s Holiday Program in 2014, and am now a trained Building Financial Capability Mentor.
Quote to live by:
Be Curious – Not Judgmental
Building Financial Capability Mentor
I settled in the Waipa after my OE and have lived in the area for most of my life.I raised my now adult twin daughters in the area.I run a small natural therapies business part time from home.
In 2019 I completed the Financial Mentor Introductory Course and have been working as a financial mentor since then. I started working for Kainga Aroha part time in 2024. Financial stress is a huge life stress and I enjoy coming alongside clients to help them achieve their goals.
Most recently I have begun supervised contact where I do my best to offer a safe, relaxed environment for families.
TURANGA (foundations)
Whanau Support Kaimahi/Social Worker
Operation Christmas Hampers Team member
Bachelor of Bicultural Social Work
Currently working as a Whānau Support Kaimahi/Social Worker in the family violence intervention sector, I bring a diverse background and a deep commitment to supporting whānau, particularly our most vulnerable. My journey began in the trades as a brick and block layer (trowel hand/labourer), before transitioning into a role as an Engineer’s Labourer. In 2013, I joined Kāinga Aroha Community House as a volunteer Receptionist and Budgeter.
In 2016, I was offered a paid position under the newly established Building Financial Capability Service, while studying toward a Bachelor of Bicultural Social Work at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.
Over the years, I’ve contributed to a range of community initiatives, including being an active member of the Operation Christmas Hampers Team. My varied roles at Kāinga Aroha Community House have also given me the opportunity to implement Tūranga — a self-development model I created, focused on building strong foundations through meaningful relationships and enhancing mauri ora (wellbeing) from within.
A heavy hand applies too much pressure, a light hand leaves stones unturned
Whanau Support Kaimahi/Social Worker
Bachelor of Bicultural Social Work
About Michele coming soon
“Ma te Whiri tahi, Ka Whakatutuki ai nga pumanawa a tangata"
Together weaving the realisation of potential.
Counsellor
MNZAC Provisional
Hi! I grew up here in Te Awamutu and love living and being in the Waikato. We have lived in a few different places including the King Country and Northland, but now call Te Awamutu home!
I completed my Bachelor of Counselling in 2014 as I love hearing people’s stories. I appreciate the privilege of having the opportunity to talk and to work together in a safe and confidential environment.
What is counselling… the New Zealand Association of Counsellors says “Many life experiences can present us with changes and stressors that seem overwhelming and can interfere with day-to-day life and wellbeing.
Counselling provides a supportive and safe environment where issues can be clarified, options and ways of navigating these can be explored, and effective strategies can be developed that meet the needs of each client in bringing about positive change. …”
Family ViolenceA service that provides families and individuals with much needed support and information to help keep you safe. Family harm/violence crisis intervention advocacy and information including support with protection orders and parenting orders.
See our confidentiality policy
During the Christmas school holidays we organise our annual camp.
This is a programme for children aged 7–14 years. It is primarily for children who would not normally have the chance to experience this type of programme for whatever reason, but all are welcome.
Find our more about our Annual Summer camp
Volunteers
From time to time we need more volunteers to help with different aspects of our work. If you have time and skills to offer, please don’t hesitate to come and talk to us.
Come in a talk to us
Our Sponsors
Our funding comes from:
GRANTS
PERSONAL DONATIONS
Donations are tax-deductable
Please Note: Although we are funded by these agencies, we are not employed by them, and we are able to offer an independent, confidential service to our community. We are an incorporated society, with audited annual accounts.
Kainga Aroha provides easy access to information, help, understanding and support.
Give us a call or email us
Our reception is open from 9am - 5pm, Monday – Friday