Chantelle Foketi has a background in Youth Development.  She has worked with church youth groups, coached athletes and worked with youth-at-risk in residential and alternative education settings.  Chantelle has gained experience through her volunteer work with the Manurewa Athletic Club as the Club Captain and as a LIFE Group leader at South City Christian Life Centre.  Her most valued experience has been gained while working as the Senior Tutor for Bethesda Alternative Education Centre in 2001 and in December of 2001 she formed Te Ara Poutama Education Centre. Chantelle holds a Bachelor of Maori Studies and  a Bachelor of Applied Science majoring in Child & Adolescent Psychology.  She currently sits on the Alternative Education National Body as the Representative for Counties-Manukau, and is on the Steering Committee for Te Aho O Te Kura Pounamo.

Trinity Jourdain - Strategic Management/TAP3    

Trinity Jourdain has a background working with church youth groups and has coached basic athletes.  Trinity has gained experience through her volunteer work with the Manurewa Athletic Club as a committee member and as a Youth Pastor at South City Christian Life Centre and  at Manukau New Life Church.  Trinity along with her husband are the Senor Pastors of Christian Family Centre Pukekohe.  Trinity formed Te Ara Pouama AEC along with Chantelle in December 2001.  She was the Senior Tutor of our programme under contract to AimHi, which she has set-up and run successfully for three years, then under Counties-Manukau AE she has set-up and is the Senior Tutor in Pukekohe.  She has developed a great rapport with youth and her confidence and understanding of youth culture and issues is invaluable.

Chris Weir - Office Manager/TAP1

Chris Weir has a background in Administration.  She has worked as an administrator with her own business.  Chris has gained experience through her work as the Secretary for South City Christian Life Centre and the Convenor for the Youth Invasion Conference.  Her most valued experience has been gained while working as Secretary and Treasurer for the Manurewa Athletic Club.  Chris formed Te Ara Poutama AEC with Chantelle and Trinity in December of 2001.

Joe Brown - TAP1 Manurewa

Joe Brown has many years experience working with youth groups at Manukau New Life Church.  Joe is the Senior Tutor at TAP1, where he has been a valuable member since 2004.  Joe has interests in hip-hop, music, sports and kick-boxing.  Joe has developed a heart for youth, especially those at risk, and believes that with genuine guidance from caring people, they can grow into mature adults who can reach their full potential.  Joe wants to be one of those influences with Manukau’s youth.

Ross Tekoronga - TAP1 Manurewa    

Ross Tekoronga is the newest member to our team, but has already shown the makings of a great youth worker.  Ross is a musician at Manukau New Life.

Solomone Foketi - Mentor/TAP2 Manukau

Solomone Foketi is currently working as a youth mentor and has been for the last three years, as well as a Tutor in our TAP2 class.  He has experience communicating effectively with a mentee, risk and behaviour management, exploring identity & culture and assisting personal development.  He holds many and varied National Certificate all of which have helped shape him as he is: National Certificate in Youth Work (Youth Leadership) (2012); National Certificate in Youth Mentoring (2010); National Certificate in Security (2006); National Certificate in Police Recruitment (2003).  Solomone is passionate about sports and in particular Rugby League.  He plays for Papakura Sea Eagles as well as coaching his son's league team.  (You just may have seen him play on Maori Television)

Roman Hifo - TAP2 Manukau

Roman Hifo has spent the last year working in our TAP2 class.  He shows a really love and care for the students and is very geniune in wanting to see them reach their full potential.  One of Roman's strengths is his ability to build an authentic rapport with the students and their families.  Roman is passionate about Rugby League and has played for the Sydney Rooster and currently for the Vulcans.

Courtney Weir - TAP2 Manukau    

Courtney Weir started with year with TAP2 but has experience working with children and youth as she was a Swimming Instructor and still instructs children in Taekwon Do.  Courtney is currently New Zealand's National Coloured belt Women's Champion in Taekwon Do.

Richard Bennett - TAP3 Pukekohe

Richard Bennett has been with TAP3 for a year and in that time has shown how passionately he loves his job.  His other passion is music and Richard can be counted on to sing all day and everyday (it helps that he is talented!) Richard believes that every student is worth the extra mile, that regardless of why they ended up in Alternative Education - they are worth something and it's his job to help them relise that!