Meet the team
YCD IS GOVERNED BY A BOARD OF TRUSTEES WHO MEET ONCE A MONTH TO DISCUSS AND RATIFY ANY PROPOSALS DEVELOPED BY THE MANAGER THEY BELIEVE WILL ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE AND THEIR WHANAU.
BOARD MEMBERS
Rachael Fonotia
Julie Williamson
Lynn Wood
Jill Sunnex
Cassandra Staps
Lee Risby
Prachi Didmish
Hamish Johnson
Fred Williams – General Manager
Tēnā koutou katoa,
Ko Karioi te maunga, ko Toreparu te awa, ko Tainui te waka, ko Tainui te iwi, ko Motakotako te marae.
Ko Fred Williams tōku ingoa, ko ahau te kaihautu o YCD.
Te kaupapa o YCD, ko te arahitia o ngā rangatahi i roto i tō huarahi ki te tūtuki i ngā mana, ngā ihi, ngā wehi kia tae atu ki tāua taumata.
Nāku te rourou, nāu te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi.
Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou 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 16 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.
Junior Mata’afa – Operations Manager
Malo le soifua maua ma le lagi e mama,
O lo’u igoa o Junior Mata’afa, sa ou fanau i Tanetini. O le nu’u Malie, sa fanau mai ai lo’u tama. O le nu’u Falealupo na fanau ai lo’u tina.
O Rachel Maitland o lo’u toaloa o ia o le Maoli (Ngai Tahu) afa palagi. O ia ole Senior lecturer mo UC. E to’a lua le ma fanau o Neihana ma Nikora e aoga i Sagto Tomasi.
Talofa lava all I’m the Operations Manager for Youth & Culture Development. I’m truly grateful and it’s a real privilege to part of an amazing and diverse team here at YCD.
I believe in our kaupapa and proud of the mahi we do with our rangatahi, whanau and the wider community of Otautahi. We are inclusive here at YCD, where we empower and hold each other and others accountable. With aroha and pai we strive to be better practitioners and just as important better people for our rangatahi. We play a significant role as ‘connectors’ within the Otautahi community, striving to lead and serve our rangatahi, our future.
‘He waka E ke Noa’ We’re all in this together.
Ia soifua
Melody Wehi – Team Leader / SYSC / STYP
Taiarahia te Maunga
Ohinemateroa te Awa
Tauarau toe Marae
Ngati Rongo te Hapu
Tuhoe te Iwi
Ko Melody ahau’Ko Maia raua Ko Lilly aku Kotiro
Tena Koutou katoa
Love being a part of our Kaupapa Maori environment, Enjoy working with our taiaohi, and acknowledge that it is a privilege to be in the space of supporting our future.
Shaun Asi – SYSC Course Tutor
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. I also remember all the Hip Hop events that were held at YCD Lichfield St, so for me working at YCD has been a privilege and joy to be working amongst rangatahi and playing a part of their journey is very special.
Nga mihi,
East!!!
Rameka Paraki – SYSC Course Tutor
O paia isa ma Faiga ole Samoa
E le oo ai se leo, aua o Samoa o se I’a iviivia. Ona faapea lea se tala,
Talofa Talofa Talofa lava
Kia Ora,
My names Rameka I am one of the course tutors for the Whakatutengawero life skills course.
We support our young people to develop their strengths and achieve a sense of wholeness.
I am enjoying this journey working with our taiohi being able to see them grow and building positive rapport with them.
I have been fortunate enough to be involved in some awesome sports teams Sydenham rugby, Kaiawa touch, Canterbury rugby and coaching the Junior Eastern Eagles’ team. I have also been involved in the music scene working alongside some established artists. I look forward to continuing my work with taiohi and am excited to see the growth in our future.
Philip Nuu – Whanaketanga
Ko Phil Nuutolola Toku ingoa
Been working at YCD for 18 Years, supporting/mentoring our Rangatahi,
I run the Whanaketanga program here at YCD.
The age criteria for participation is between 12 to 24 years.
This initiative not only oversees the various programs held at YCD but also plays a coordinating role in ensuring their smooth execution. Among these programs, I dedicate one day per week to engage with young individuals of Maori and Pacifica descent within the Youth unit located at Christchurch Men’s prison.
My involvement includes conducting a 10-week Barbering course alongside facilitating cooking and Music programs. Whanaketanga Barberians programme, which I teach and mentor up and coming Barbers. These initiatives are thoughtfully designed to cater to the unique and diverse needs of each individual participant.
Kia Ora Koutou
Talofa Lava
Simona Faavesi – Team Leader / Whanau Support
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.
Andrew Amituanui – Supervision With Activity (SWA)
Tena Koutou Katoa, Talofa Lava, Greetings
My name is Andrew (Dru) Amituanai, I am Christchurch born and raised from humble beginnings, my parents migrated from Hamoa to Otautahi, Aotearoa.
I currently work on the Supervision with Activity project, guiding and supporting our Rangatahi to be the best versions of themselves.
I feel privileged to be on the YCD waka, to live the Kaupapa and Values to help navigate our Rangatahi.
My life is centred around whanau/aiga, guided by the strength of faith, respect, and morals, which allow me to form an important understanding and connection with all walks of life.
Moresby Peseta – Supervision With Activity (SWA)
Tena koutou e te whanau. Malo le soifua maua.
My name is Moresby Peseta, born and raised here in Christchurch.
I have been in the youth space for 6 years. Have been fortunate enough apart of the YCD team for the past year.
Have loved my time here at YCD, enhancing my knowledge within the Te Ao Maori space.
Am passionate in supporting and empowering our taiohi to achieve a sense of wholeness.
Mauri Ora.
Daniel Mataki – Community Service Co-Ordination
Red Ngaia – Events Co-Ordinater
Kia Ora E Te Whanau
Ko Rerewa ( Red ) Toku Ingoa
No Otautahi Ahau
Kei YCD Ahau E Mahi Ana
He Pou Whakaro Taku Turanga Mahi
Talofa Lava, Fakalofa lahi atu.
My name is Red & I work at YCD as the events co-ordinator.
My role is to plan & run the YCD branded FRESH Events, these events are designed to provide rangatahi from Otautahi active recreation opportunities in a safe, and welcoming environment, that minimises common participation barriers through the activity being free, local, well-timed, and co-designed to meet various needs.
Tommy Tominiko – Events Co-Ordinater / Marketing
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.
My current role at YCD is Events Co-Ordinator and Marketing. I am blessed to be involved in organising the FRESH youth events here at YCD and work with rangatahi to create opportunities outside of the ordinary and at the same time have fun doing it.
I have great passion for music, fitness and being creative, which also include being creative in designing static and digital content for our organisation.
Crusaders HARD!!!
Terekia Roberts – Supported Bail
Ko Mataatua te waka
Ko Tuhoe, Rarotongan oku iwi
Ko Terekia toku ingoa
Kia Ora my name is Terekia currently working on Pou Whirinaki/Supported bail program alongside a talented multi-cultural team. I also do some mentoring when the opportunity arises, and support other projects when needed. Born in Tamaki Makaurau I ventured my way to the south calling it home away from home.
Sione Mosa’ati – Supported Bail
Malo e lelei,
Ko hoku hingoa ko Sione Mosa’ati
Oku ou lele mai mei Nomuka, Niutoua
Nau hiki mai ki nuusila he 2004 mo hoku famili
Malo sii afe mai
Tu’a ofa atu
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 with the Supported Bail team early May 2023. So far it has been a blast with the team and although it has been a short period, 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.
Anaru Donnelly – Supported Bail
Tena koutou katoa,
Ko Taupiri te maunga
Ko Waikato te awa
Ko Tainui te Waka
Ko Ngāti Raukawa rāua ko Ngāti Kōtirana ngā iwi
Ko Gerry rāua ko Linnia Donnelly ōku mātua whāngai
Ēngari, i te taha o ōku mātua
He uri tēnei nō Ngapuhi, Tiamana, Hāmoa, Hameika,
Ko Anaru Donnelly tōku ingoa
My name is Anaru, and I work as part of the Supported bail team.
I have only been in the youth work sector for a short time, but I already love the mahi I get to do with Taiohi at YCD.
I love my role working one on one with Taiohi as they navigate their way through this thing we call life. I’m really grateful being able to support Taiohi on their own individual journeys however that may look. I try to incorporate sports, health and wellbeing into my work because these are things I’m passionate about and If I’m able to influence any positive change, no matter how big or small, then we all win.
If we base everything we do on our values here at YCD, we can’t go wrong.
Michelle King – Transitions Whanau Support / Quality Assurance Lead
Ko Piripiri te maunga
Ko Waitohi te awa
Ko Raukawakawa te moana
Ko Waikawa te marae
Ko Cartwright te Hapū
Ahakoa, i whanau mai ahau i Ōtautahi, i tipu ake au i Waitohi/Waikawa
Ā, ko Ōtautahi tōku kainga ināianei
Ko Michelle tōku ingoa
I have spent the past 12 years providing support, guidance & mentorship to rangatahi in various settings, the last 3 years here at Youth & Cultural Development. I have an understanding of the challenges your young people face & a commitment to helping them develop the skills & resilience needed to overcome those challenges. At the heart of my work is the power of positive relationships, building strong, trusting connections with rangatahi, is key to helping them feel seen, heard & valued. Supporting rangatahi to develop their strengths & reach their potential.
Ki te kotahi te kakaho ka whati, Ki te kapuia e kore e whati
(Alone we can be broken. Standing together, we are invincible)
Pete Togia – Transitions Whanau Support
Malo Soifua,
O lo’u igoa o Peter Togia, na ou fanau I’inei I karaisetete, o o’u matua na tupuga mai I Samoa.O lo’u tama e sau mai Mulifanua ma Lefaga matautuO lou tina e sau mai Afega.
He kaimahi ahau mo te Whakawhitinga o te pakeketanga- Transitions Whanau support. My hobbies include watching and playing sport, mainly Basketball and Rugby
I have been in the youth sector for the past 11 years, working in different youth sectors in Christchurch. I enjoy my role, as I get to work closely with Young lads wanting to make a change transitioning from young teenager to adulthood.I love supporting young people to achieve their goals and see the small successes along the way however big or small it is.
O le ala o le pule o le tautua
Jah Bless..One love
Faafetai lava.
Julie Tuhimata – Street Youth Work Project
Tena koutou
Ko Huruiki te maunga
Ko Mokau te awa
Ko Tuwhenuaroa te waka
Ko Mokau te marae
Ko Nga Puhi te iwi
Ko Ngatiwai te hapu
This is me,
I have had the privilege to be a part of the YCD whanau since 2010
As a whanau at YCD we have grown, we continue strive for our taiohi to develop their strengths and to reach their full potential.
Why do I do what I do, that’s easy for our people for our taiohi for our whanau.
We all need support at different levels, at different stages and without judgment here at YCD we achieve this.
I am a wife to one, mother to three, nanny to three. I enjoy arts, crafts, cooking and shopping!!
Sports is awesome to watch!! Up the Warriors!!!!
Mauri Ora.
Sea Muaimalae – Fast Track Kaimahi
Mauri Ora.