Our People
Board Chair
Wendy started her REAP journey in 1988 when Helen Tennant, the General Manager of Southern Hawkes Bay REAP (now Tararua REAP), offered her the Early Childhood Education Coordinator position but Wendy decided to decline due to pregnancy. In 2003, Wendy became the Strengthening Families Coordinator, and had roles as the Parent Education Support Coordinator, Incredible Years educator and started the first Autism Support Group. Wendy finished her time as a staff member in 2013 but returned to the Tararua REAP Board in 2017 and has been there ever since. Wendy is now our Chairwoman.
Wendy has always loved lifelong learning, which is why she is so passionate about REAP. It is a holistic service that supports families, which is especially important in our small community. Wendy has a passion for the community and a desire to be a part of something bigger. As Chairwoman, Wendy aims to flexibly and responsively support staff to deliver the services that Tararua REAP offers.
General Manager
After 22 years working for Primary (formally Agriculture) ITO Claire is thrilled to have the opportunity to lead Tararua REAP. Whilst her and her husband live “just over the hill” in the beautiful Pohangina Valley, Dannevirke is very much home and where lots of family and friends reside.
Claire enthusiastically leads her team of REAP staff with the aim to help build strong, confident and educated communities. She values this rewarding work as REAP continues to make a positive difference in peoples lives by supporting lifelong learning from early childhood though to adult education programmes. But that is not all! Claire ensures Tararua REAP is closely connected to the heart of the Tararua, through partnerships with other community organisations and an open door policy for general public to share ideas or ways REAP can further support them.
Financial Manager
Kerri supports the Tararua REAP team by making sure the financial matters are all taken care of including the wage payments. She performs Treasurer duties for the Tararua Community Youth Services. Kerri lives on a farm and looks after the administration and finances and is also the main calf rearer… just for some physical activity!
Strengthening Families Coordinator
As the Strengthening Families Coordinator, Alyshea helps families work through the ‘red tape’ stuff with government and community organisations so that they can sort through their concerns and life’s challenges with the right support they need. She doesn’t profess to know everything that’s available but makes it her mission to find out to learn and grow.
When Alyshea isn’t promoting the Strengthening Families process she enjoys spending time with family and friends, walking the dogs, 4×4 and discovering new spots especially within the Tararua District to explore.
Early Childhood Education Coordinator
Rose has a range of Education qualifications from Edith Cowan University, Perth Australia. This role offers Rose wonderful opportunities to support ECE and primary teachers, whānau/parent and other organisations throughout the Tararua community with professional development, opportunities to network and achieve personal and professional goals.
Receptionist
Lynley is our Receptionist who answers your phone calls and is the first person you see when you walk into REAP. She enjoys greeting everybody when they walk through the door and making them feel welcome and supporting the REAP team whenever needed.
Lynley enjoys the diversity of people and children who walk through the REAP doors and prides herself on making sure they leave knowing they have had a great experience, and are happy to return! Lynley grew up in Dannevirke, and has recently returned after 30 years, and is enjoying being part of a small, strong Community again.
Office Administrator
Leah is our Office Administrator and helps our team with Adult Education, Budget Services and Reception duties. Leah offers an inviting smile at reception and is ready to assist staff or REAP attendees whenever needed. Out of work Leah loves spending time with her friends and family.
Funding, Marketing, Communications Coordinator
Rebekah supports the Tararua REAP team with many back-office aspects of service delivery, from funding applications to course promotion. She performs Secretary duties for Tararua REAP Board, The Local Management Group and the Tararua Community Youth Services.
Rebekah also teaches yoga in Dannevirke and is a partner in Club SuperCue Limited which delivers Strength and Balance Classes for older adults online and in the community. Her husband operates the Wairarapa Just Cabins Franchise along side managing their small lifestyle block. Rebekah’s daughter is attends High School in Hawke's Bay during the week so on weekends she enjoys spending time with her.
Coordinator / Financial Mentor
Deanna is the Budget Services Financial Mentor and supports people who are in financial hardship or those who want to improve their financial situation. Deanna works one on one or in small groups and teaches the basics of competent money management. Deanna is family orientated, she enjoys gardening and interior design. Deanna has a big heart and is the first female White Ribbon ambassador in the Tararua Region.
Employment Liaison Cooridinator
Jaron is the Employment Liaison for North Tararua - encompassing Dannevirke, Norsewood, Ormondville, Weber, out to Herbertville. Jaron has a wealth of experience working in different industries, for many different employers both in NZ and overseas and his mission is to help local people get into local jobs and training.
Offering support for employers, training providers, employees and job seekers it is Jaron’s mission to help Tararua REAP build community resilience through education, employment and industry training.
Jaron is currently training to be a Budget Services Financial Mentor to help the REAP team build our community’s financial capability.
Employment Liaison Coordinator
Trudie Flynn is based in Woodville and will be focussed on Southern Tararua. Trudie understands the personal impact from working in a job or industry that doesn’t match interest level, skills or career path. Hence, she is passionate about helping people find the right training or career path.
Trudie is a proud mother of four and in the summer you’ll find her outdoors with the family doing bush walks, cycling and day excursions. While in the winter Trudie enjoys the warm fire after a day out in the cold supporting the kids with their sports.
Coordinator
Shelly is Tararua REAP’s capable allrounder, she is a valued support person for the whole REAP team helping with ECE, Science Lab, Data Base Management, Financial Manager backup and adult education course coordination.
Shelly recently moved back to Dannevirke late 2020 with her husband and she is excited to be working at the heart of the Tararua community. She has two sons who have left home to follow their passions. Shelly and her husband have brought a dry stock farm that keeps her busy when she is not at REAP.
Current Board Members are (from left): Rebekah Charlton (Secretary), Liz Gunson (Deputy Chair), Donna Milner, Wendy Lansdown (Board Chair), Sue Berry, Sharyne Wimsett, Stephen Paewai
CONTACT DETAILS
Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm
Address: 15 Gordon Street, PO Box 18 Dannevirke, Tararua 4930
Phone: 06 374 6565
Mobile: 027 230 8954
Email: office@tararuareap.co.nz
