YCD BOARD MEMBERS (January 2026))
Prachi Didmishe
Sabrina Forrester
Lee Risby
Jill Sunnex
Lynn Wood
Carmen Hammond
FRED WILLIAMS – GENERAL MANAGER
As the General Manager of YCD, I am incredibly proud to lead an organisation committed to serving taiohi from all communities and backgrounds. My hope is that we continue the vital mahi and uphold the legacy of YCD, which began with the vision and dedication of Vic and Losa and was elevated to new heights by Anni Watkin. I am thankful every day for the opportunity to contribute to this meaningful mahi and to support taiohi in reaching their full potential.
“Poipoia te kakano kia puawai. “ Nuture the seed and it will flourish.
No reira tena koutou tena koutou tena tatou katoa
NATALIA SUKHIKH – FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATOR
Tēnā koutou katoa, e whakawhetai ana mātou mō tō koutou whakawhānau ki te paetukutuku o YCD, ā, nā te whakawhetai ki a koutou kua tuku to koutou wā ki te pānui i ētahi kōrero mō mātou.
I am Natalia, and I come from the Donbas region.
I’ve been working at YCD for 17 years, where I handle financial administration.
In my role, I manage financial matters and make sure things run smoothly. I enjoy being a part of this community and I’m proud to contribute to the YCD’s mission to help young people on their journey.
SILIMANA’I JUNIOR MATA’AFA – OPERATIONS MANAGER
MICHELLE KING – QUALITY LEAD
Tena koe
Ko Piripiri te maunga
Ko Waitohi te awa
Ko Kawakawa te moana
Ko Waikawa te marae
Ko Michelle toku ingoa
Born in Ōtautahi, I moved with my whānau to Waikawa Bay as a child, this is where I spent most of my youth, before returning to Ōtautahi at age 21.
Youth work wasn’t something I had ever imagined myself doing. Until I came across a role in a YJ residence close to home & applied, out of curiosity, by the end of day one, I knew I had found my passion.
Now 14 years on, I’ve built deep knowledge across the youth justice sector, with experience in child protection, mental health, trauma-informed practice, substance use & a wide range of disabilities impacting today’s rangatahi
For the past six years, I’ve been part of the Whanau at YCD. Now in the role of Quality Lead, my mahi is driven by a commitment to ensuring our programmes & services uphold the highest standards. I’m dedicated to strengthening practice, honouring professional standards, & ensuring taiohi voices are central in everything we design & deliver.
Poipoia te kākano kia puāwai — nurture the seed & it will blossom.
Ahakoa he iti, he pounamu — even the smallest steps are precious.
JULIE ANNE-TUHIMATA – STREET YOUTH WORK PROJECT
Tena Koe
Ko huruiki te maunga.
Ko mokau te awa.
Ko tu whenuaroa te waka.
Ko Mokau te marae.
Ko Nga Puhi te iwi.
Ko Ngatiwai te hapu.
Ko kai whakamarumaru aku mahi.
Ko Julie ahau.
I have been a part of the YCD whanau for 14yrs, I am currently working on the Street Youth Work Project – Ensuring the safety of our taiohi.
Things change, come and go….however the support given to our taiohi will remain the same.
Ki to manaakitia nga rangatahi kia tu pakari ai
Mauri ora
MELODY WEHI – POUAKAI: NGĀ RURU
Taiarahia Te Maunga
Ohinemataroa Te Awa
Rongokarae Te Tipuna
Ko Ngati Rongo Te Hapu
Ko Rangiaho te ingoa whanau
Ki te taha o toku koroua tuarua
Ruahema Te Maunga
Waioweka Te Awa
Ngati Ira Te Hapu
Ko Wehi te ingoa whanau
Ko Melody ahau
Tena Koe, I am a Kairuruku, here at Youth&Cultural Development. I have a couple of roles Team Leader and Coordinator of our Life skills Program. Our focus is always best outcomes for our Taiohi and this is reflected in our values and mission statements.
It is a privilege to work at YCD and to be working alongside our young people who we hope to support in their journeys of reaching their full potential as our future generations.
We have an open door policies which keeps us connected to Taiohi, Whanau and Communities and our professional partners.
Nga mihi kia koutou.
SIMONA FA’AVESI – FAST TRACK
Malo le soifua, o lo’u igoa o Simona.
I have worked in the youth work sector for many years working in various roles.
I am very grateful to be a part of the YCD whanau and love the Kaupapa here. I’m fortunate enough to be in the roles that I am in, where I can connect and offer support to whanau in the whanau role.
Being in the leadership team is a real privilege. To be able to support kaimahi and hopefully bring the best out of not only myself, but also my work colleagues.
I’m a family man. I’m a very energetic and motivated person. I love health & fitness, so I encourage this daily with our taiohi through gym programmes, being active and outdoors. I’m passionate about everything I do, and always bring positivity as I truly believe people feed off your energy.
MORESBY PESETA – SUPERVISION WITH ACTIVITY
E fa’afeiloai atu ma le agaga fa’afetai i le paia ua sasao nei. Mālō le soifua maua ma le lagi e mamā.
Talofa Lava, mālō lava le soifua, maua ma le lagi e mamā.
O lo’u igoa o Moresby Peseta.
Na ou fānau i nei Kalaiesekeke, Niu Silani
Na fānau lo’u tamā i Papauta, Samoa
Sa fānau lo’u tinā i Vigi, Samoa
Kia Ora, my name is Moresby Peseta, and I am apart of the Supervision with Activity Project here at YCD.
‘Afai ‘o le’ā ta’ape le filiali’i, tala’a’ao i le lagi e mamā ma le soifua maua.
la manuia tele Sāmoa i Iona tūlaga fa’alupeina ae ou mālōlōina atu.
Soifua!
SIONE MOSAATI – SUPERVISION WITH ACTIVITY
Malo e lelei,
Ko hoku hingoa ko Sione Mosa’ati. Oku ou lelei mai mei nomuka niutoua.
The name is Sione Mosa’ati.
I was previously employed at Te Puna Wai o Tuhinapo youth justice facility where I made the decision to shift my youth work out into the community and to explore and expand my youth working ability’s/skills and continue to offer my services.
I have been lucky enough to snatch a role here at YCD (youth and development) and with the supported bail team early May before transitioning to the supervision with activity team earlier this year. So far it has been a blast with the team, but I am loving every minute here. Engaging with our rangatahi and being there main point of support so far has been my greatest challenge but my most rewarding.
DANIEL MATAKI JR – COMMUNITY SERVICE CO-ORDINATION
JAYME-LEIGH GILMORE – TRANSITIONS TO INDEPENDANCE
Ko Paeroa te Pae maunga
Ko Waikato te awa
Ko Manu-nui-a-Rangi te waka
Ko Ngāti Tahu-Ngāti Whāoa te iwi
He kaimahi rangatahi kei YCD
Ko Jayme toku ingoa
JARED KEIL – IGLOO LEAD, FRESH OUTREACH
Tēnā koutou katoa, malo le soifua
Ko Rangitoto te maunga,
Ko Mangaokewa te awa,
Ko Tainui te waka,
Ko Ngāti Maniapoto te iwi,
Ko Rereahu te hapu,
Ko Te Ahoroa te marae.
O lo’u igoa O Jared,
Sa’ou fanau I Aukilani,
Ou te nofo I Christchurch,
O lo’u nu’u O Puipa’a,
O le igoa O lo’u Tamati o Rocky, Ruby ma Aggy,
Fa’afetai lava.
My name is Jared. I have a background in the NZ Army, as well as the NZ Police. 2023 I left the NZ Police and transitioned into mentoring taiohi which I am very passionate about.
My role at YCD is the lead for the FRESH OUTREACH Project. You’ll find me either at our youth hub The IGLOO located at the CBD Bus Exchange or conducting OUTREACH across Ōtautahi.
I look forward to engaging with our taiohi and wider communities offering them opportunities for active recreation and engagement and also creating a safe and inclusive environment that encourages pro social activities and a sense of belonging.
RED NGAIA-SETU – POUAKAI: NGĀ KAHU, EVENTS CO-ORDINATION
TOMMY TOMINIKO – EVENTS CO-ORDINATION, FRESH OUTREACH PROJECT, DIGITAL MEDIA
Tēnā koutou, e te whanau, ko Tommy Tominiko toku ingoa.
Ou te sau mai ile nu’u o Mulivai Safata i Samoa.
O a’u o le afakasi, o lo’u Tamā o le Samoa, a’o lo’u tinā o le Palagi.
Oute nofo I Kalaiesitete ma o lo’o o’u faigaluega nei i le YCD i le taimi nei.
Tēnā koutou, e te whānau
Nō Hāmoa, nō Ingarangi ōku tupuna
Ko Mulivai te pā o ōku tupuna
I whānau mai au, i tipu ake au i kōnei – i Ōtautahi
Ko tāku mahi, He Pou Whakaaro mo Whakawhanakehia O ngā Rangatahi
Ko Iverson tōku tama
Ko tommy tōku ingoa
No reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā rā tatou katoa
My current role at YCD is Events Co-Ordinator and FRESH Outreach Project and also co-design direct The Christchurch Hip Hop Summit.
I have great passion for music, fitness and being creative, which also include being creative in designing static and digital content for our organisation.
KAREREATUA WILLIAMS – SUPPORT KAIMAHI OUTREACH
Kia Ora Kotou, Ko Taupiri te maunga, Ko Toreparu te awa, Ko Tainui te Waka, Ko Tainui te iwi, Ko Motakotako te marae, Ko Ngati Reko te hapu, Ko Karereatua Williams toku ingoa.
Kia ora, my name is Karereatua and I’m a kaimahi support worker based with the Igloo Outreach team. My role focuses on walking alongside rangatahi, offering support, encouragement, and helping them navigate challenges in a way that works best for them.
NOVENA LEMALU-WATKIN – TRANSITIONS, FRESH OUTREACH
YCD was a huge part of my upbringing so being able to now work here is the best feeling and a true privilege.
I’m really excited about what we are able to achieve here at YCD. I love the mahi and supporting our rangatahi with the tools to be able to live well, achieve their goals and be strong and independent.
Mauri Ora
CHLOE GREEN – TRANSITIONS TO INDEPENDANCE
Kia ora e te iwi.
He Pākehā au. Nō Ōtautahi au, engari he whererei au ki Tāmaki Makaurau.
Ko Chloé tōku ingoa.
I’m studying a BA at UC, majoring in Te Reo Māori, Māori and Indigenous Studies, and Geography. I love learning and practicing te reo Māori with my tamariki—it’s one of my favourite things to do. When I’m not hitting the books, you’ll find me getting creative or out for a run.
I’m all about helping our taiohi find their own way to independence, whatever that looks like for them. I’m pretty good at juggling lots of tasks and getting things done, but what I really enjoy is being there to support our rangatahi through whatever challenges come their way.
TEREKIA ROBERTS – SUPPORTED BAIL
Ko Mataatua toku waka
Ko Tuhoe toku iwi
Ko Kutarere toku marae
Ko Terekia toku ingoa
Kia Ora I am currently on the Supported Bail team working with young people on a day-to-day basis upskilling and creating opportunity for Rangatahi to succeed. We are a culturally based organisation and linking them towards a more positive outcome.
SHAUN ASI – SUPPORTED BAIL, PHOTOGRAPHY MEDIA
Malo le soifua
O lo’u igoa o Shaun Mulivai Asi, Au te sau mai Aranui, Christchurch.
I am a Youth Worker at Youth and Cultural Development, raised in the Christchurch East.
My family is from Samoa, my village is Solosolo and Afega.
I have been working with rangatahi since 2007, but have been working at YCD for 13 years now.
I used to come to YCD drop-in as a youth alot and remember the plays and holiday programs at YCD Manchester St, also the all the hip hop events that were held at YCD Lichfield St.
For me working at YCD has been a privilege and joy to be serving the rangatahi and playing a part of their journey is very special.
I also do a little bit of photography and videography for YCD which I really enjoy and enjoy exploring new ideas and skills.
Nga mihi…. East!
HESETI KOPELANI – COMMUNITY SERVICE CO-ORDINATION
Ouke mua’i ka le polaivao ma au kala le gagaga, auà lau fa’afofoga Samoa, iga ge’i lape se kala a’o se gagaga, oga avea lea ma le kogu i lo’u kagaka. Ae a fai fo’i ua sala, ose kualogo a’o se lauseoso.
Oute mua’i fa’atalofa ile paia ma le mamalu ile aofia, malò le soifua ma le lagi e mamà.
O lo’u igoa o Heseti Kopelani.
Sa ou fanau i Aukilani, Niu Silani.
O lo’u tamà e sau mai Maagiagi, Samoa.
O lo’u tinà e sau mai Lufilufi, Samoa.
Kia Ora,
DARA NICKEL – WHAKATUTIA NGA WERO
Kia Ora koutou.
Ko Hamoa te iwi.
I tipu ake ahau i Samoa me Otautahi.
He kaimahi rangatahi ahau.
Malo le soifua maua ma le lagi e mama.
O lo’u igoa o Dara Nickel.
E 28 o’u tausaga.
Ulutogia, Aleipata, e mitamita lo’u agaga ia te oe.
I have the greatest honour to be a part of a team, that works in partnership with the future of our world, our young people. Been in the youth work space since 2017 and continuing this mahi with my YCD whanau for 3 months now. I help lead out the Whakatutia Nga Wero Program that entails assisting our taiohi in achieving their life skill goals in a 10-week timeframe and focussing on a holistic approach in accomplishing these goals. Grateful for this space, the people and the momentum in cultivating the future.
JOSHUA NICKEL – WHAKATUTIA NGA WERO
O lo’u igoa o Joshua Nickel.
E 25 o’u tausaga.
Ulutogia, Aleipata, Togafuafu’a
AIESHA HAWKINS – SUPPORTED BAIL
Ko Tawhirirangi toku maunga
Ko Mohaka toku awa
Ko Takitimu toku waka
Ko Ngati Kahungunu toku iwi
Ko Ngati Pahauwere toku hapu
Ko Wai Papa iwi toku Marae
Ko Te Kahu o te Rangi toku tupuna
Kia ora Tatau,
I am very excited to have joined YCD.
I have spent the past eight years studying and working as a support worker, following in my mother’s footsteps. Supporting rangatahi and people in need is a strong passion of mine and deeply rooted in my family values.
I come from a large, community focused family where caring for others and giving back has always been a priority. I have a strong love for music, singing, dancing, staying active, and supporting the wellbeing of those around me.
I have lived in Australia over the past years and I am incredibly grateful to be home again, reconnecting with my people, my culture, and my community.
LOUIS FANANE – SUPERVISION WITH ACTIVITY
Ka tū ahau ki te tihi tapu o Apia,
Ka rere ōku roimata ki te moana-nui-a-kiwa,
Ko Vavau, ko Manono, ko Falealili ko Ailepata ngā papa kainga,
Ko Lalofau te malae,
Ko Hāmoa te iwi,
Ko Louis tōku ingoa, nō reira, tēnā koutou katoa.
My name is Louis, and I’m part of the Supervision with Activity team here at YCD alongside Sione and Moresby. I have a real heart for supporting and uplifting our rangatahi. I’m passionate about mentoring, walking alongside our young people, and being a positive role model they can trust and look up to. I believe that with the right guidance, encouragement, and care, our rangatahi can grow into confident, purpose-driven leaders.