Staff Profiles

Reweti Ropiha - CEO

From Manutuke started at VLC 1997 to oversee Vanessa Lowndes Operations.  There have been a few memorable moments since starting at VLC: Restructuring Vanessa Lowndes and setting a new direction, providing opportunities for whanau whom participate at the centre and working with committed staff.  Aspirations are to re invigorate whanau aspirations and to provide tangible opportunities.

Libby Kerr -  Service Delivery Manager

I am the Service Delivery Manager for Vanessa Lowndes Centre and have been since 2001, previously I was a mental Health Support Worker for Turanga Health  from 1998 until I moved into the position at VLC.

Lisa Fogarty  - Finance / Human Resources Manager

Born in Opotiki and raised in Matawai I left the district for 10 years before returning in 97 to join the team at Vanessa Lowndes Abilities.  I am employed to manage the Finance and Human Resources of both Vanessa Lowndes Centre & Turanga Health.  Over the time I have been employed here I have seen many changes – all for the good of whanau.  I am fortunate to have the opportunity to work with awesome staff members who are passionate for all that Vanessa Lowndes Turanga Trust stands for.

Christina Sayer - Financial / Clerical Support

Hi my name is Christina Sayer, I am from Palmerston North.  I’ve been working here at Vanessa Lowndes Centre for 6 ½ years.  I started out at VLC in the Engraving Department as an engraver,  I then had an opportunity to work in the finance department as a Clerical Support person for 20 hours as well as 20 hours in engraving rotating with another employee of VLC.  My current position is now finance Clerical Support & has many different tasks like answering phones, serving customers, raising orders & processing accounts.

Jill Ashdown  - Receptionist

Still to come.

Tiranui Tunisia Ngarangione - Hygiene Consultant

Ngai Tamanuhiri / Ngati Kahungungu.  Founding director of Turanga Health and board member of Vanessa Lowndes Centre – started at VLC 15/4/02.  Always interested in the wellbeign of the whanau.  Teaching them to budget and cook on a limited income was most rewarding.  Had some pleasant experiences working with whanau.  Aspirations / goals are to bring Turanga health and Vanessa Lowndes Centre up to standard in hygiene, infection control.

Pierre Rutene - Engraver

Born and bred in Gisborne; Te Aitanga a Mahaki / Ngati Porou / Rongowhakata descendent.  Starting at VLC on the 18/6/07 currently employed in the position of Engraver. My job not only entails engraving personalized items / most metals & Formica but also in making name badges / signs / magnets and business cards.  In the short term the role is challenging / creative and rewarding – in the long term wanting to make a difference / memorable / lifetime connections and most of enjoying my position.

Terry Drummond - Supported Employment coordinator.

Being born and bred in Gisborne and my involvement in a lot of community organizations has given me a wide network of friends and associates. This provides me with a good grounding to establish communications for placing whanau within the workforce.

Over the years with Vanessa Employment Services I have enjoyed working in a close team environment alongside Turanga Health and Vanessa Lowndes Centre.  It has benefited me and given me a greater understanding of Maori culture and the needs and sensitivity of Tangata Whaiora.

Penny Moeke - Supported Employment coordinator.

My name is Penny Moeke and I have worked for Vanessa Employment Services for just over a year now and so I am pretty new on the block.  However, throughout the year I have learned a lot from Terry, the staff at Vanessa Lowndes Centre and Turanga Health.  The most rewarding part of my learning has been working closely with Tangata Whaiora. 

Working with people with a disability is sometimes challenging but has huge benefits that effectively give me pride and depth in the work I am doing. 

Bernadette Davies - Transition Service Coordinator

Started as VLC as a fixed term tutor to cover whilst John Moetara was on Leave, offered the role of Transition Services Coordinator which is currently been put together.  While filling in for John I provided modules based on life skills and catering.  Most memorable moments are been involved with whanau who have special needs achieving tasks that others take for granted.  My aspirations whilst employed here at VLC is to see whanau been treated fairly and equally by all works of life in our community.

Kemara Keelan  Programme Coordinator

To come in

Guy Moetara - Tutor

Currently residing in Manutuke but originally from the “Hokianga of the winterless north” Starting in 2000 I supervise whanau day programme activities from gardening / fishing / hikoi etc. Most memorable moment was taking whanau members on a P & O cruise around the pacific islands.  My aspirations are to see whanau participate fully in all activies open to them within our communities.

John Moetara - Tutor

To come still

Taina Puketapu - General Support

Still to come

Denis de Witt - Tutor (part time) - Ceramics

Born Durban South Africa – 38 years in Banking & Propoerty Valuation.  Hobby always been sculpture orientated.  1st in wood then 1981 clay.  1994 graduated “Nat Dip Ceramic design” 1996 emigrated to NZ tutored pottery at Mairangi Bay Art Centre.  Moved to Gisborne and joined VLC 1998.  My aim has always been “therapeutic & practical” to develop self esteem and creativity.  (Trainees have had pieces accepted on local exhibitions and won awards).  Together with numeracy / literacy tuition the aim is to give the trainees a good grounding in Life Skills to confidently meet challenges of life.

Chris Miller - Tutor (part time) – Light Engineering

To come still