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
Elaine emigrated to New Zealand 15 years ago with her husband and their two primary school aged children. They haven’t looked back since selling their sheep farm and consultancy businesses in Scotland, and they have considered themselves Skiwis (Scottish Kiwis) from those early days. Throughout her career Elaine has used positive psychology and business qualifications to create opportunities and enhance potential in all kinds of organisations. She was CEO of the Manawatu Regional Economic Development agency and Project Manager at Office for Seniors in MSD. In the Education space, Elaine has been a governance trainer for NZSTA covering the lower North Island schools and kura, and is chair of the advisory board of Scallywaggs Early Childcare & Sprouts Homecare business in Central Hawkes Bay.
Out of work hours, Elaine cites bees, painting, singing, business, gardening and cooking as some of her favourite things to do when she is not chilling with her husband Mike and their family.
Financial Manager
Kerri is our in-house number cruncher! She supports the Tararua REAP team by making sure all the financial matters are taken care of including the wage payments. She was a Finance Mentor/Budget Adviser for 10 years and can’t help herself to still help out with the occasional client. One of Kerri's tasks is also being the Administrator for the Tindall Foundation fund on behalf of the Tararua and Wairarapa area. REAP’s “CAN DO” attitude is what really appeals to her, supporting people with whatever brings them to REAP.
Kerri moved to Dannevirke with her family after moving through the ranks of the share milking system in Taranaki, going from wages to farm ownership. She helps out on the farm and looks after the administration and finances, and is still the main calf rearer… just for some physical activity! In her free time, Kerri helps out at Tararua RDA (Riding for the Disabled), enjoys reading and doing jigsaws, and likes to spend time with friends.
Marketing Manager
Alice is the Marketing Manager for Tararua REAP, finally putting her Marketing Degree to use again after leaving a career in banking to become a mum 7 years ago. Alice has previous experience in the advertising and marketing sector and is excited to put those skills to use in support of the team here at REAP.
Alice and her husband live just outside of town on a small lifestyle block. They enjoy a busy life looking after two young children and being owner operators of their forest harvesting crew, Franklin Logging.
Education Manager / Team Leader
Caroline manages the Education team and overseas all Adult Community Education, support for School and Early Childhood, Strengthening Families and Whanau Support. Caroline has spent over two decades working as a primary school teacher along with stepping into the Deputy Principal and Principal role.
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.
Parent Support Coordinator
Rose has a range of qualifications including a Batchelor of Education from Edith Cowan University, Perth Australia. As Tararua REAP's Parent Support Coordinator, Rose has wonderful opportunities to support parents and whānau in their parenting journey. This includes whanau support, strengthening families, and parenting courses including Triple P, The Incredible Years, and the Youth Parent Program.
Rose enjoys living on a dairy farm, line dancing and playing the tenor horn in the Dannevirke Brass Band. In the warmer months, you will find her in the great outdoors, enjoying nature and going on fun adventures with her whanau.
ECE Coordinator
Laura is our ECE co-ordinator. Previously a Plunket Nurse in Lower Hutt, she loves working with under 5’s and their families. Laura moved to Dannevirke with her family in 2022 and is enjoying being part of such a friendly, welcoming community.
All round Good Boy
Mr Chips holds a number of key positions within our organisation. These include but are not limited to - ‘Welcoming committee’, ‘Cuddle Co-ordinator’ and ‘Crumb investigator’. He brings 9 years of extensive experience to these very important roles. In his spare time, Chips enjoys long walks and spending quality time with his family. If you see Chips out and about with his pet humans, or in the Tararua REAP office, please feel free to stop and say hi!
Customer Service Manager
Lynley is our Customer Service Manager who is passionate about delivering the best possible customer service experience. Lynley enjoys the diversity of people and children who walk through our 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. She is enjoying being part of a small, strong community again. In her spare time Lynley enjoys organic gardening and spending time with her family.
Financial Mentor / Team Leader
Rozanne is the team lead of the Budget Service and a Financial Mentor. She works one on one or with small groups teaching the basics of competent money management.
Rozanne has been around Dannevirke all her life and after 15 years in the banking sector joined Tararua REAP at the end of 2020 as a Financial Mentor. Rozanne’s passion is working with people especially educating them to understand and manage their money. Joining the Budget Service team gives her the opportunity not only to assist people in financial difficulty but educate those whom want to better improve their situation
Outside of work Rozanne love spending time with family and friends creating lifelong memories.
Financial Mentor
Deanna is one of the Budget Service Financial Mentors and has 12+ years of experience. Deanna 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 has a big heart and with her caring personality makes her perfect for her role.
Deanna is family orientated, she enjoys gardening and interior design.
Financial Mentor and Office Support
Julie Walker is Tararua REAP's Office Support and trained Financial Mentor.
Julie joined Tararua REAP for one day a week in September 2021 working as a backup for reception. She then left 28 years in the banking sector behind her and is now working at Tararua REAP four days a week and loving it. She has a passion for helping people along with the community which she can do in so many ways while working at REAP.
Julie has lived in Dannevirke over 27 years so thinks she is a local now! Julie is married with two teenage children. When she is not working at Tararua REAP, Julie enjoys spending time with family and friends.
Financial Mentor
Carmel joined Tararua REAP in 2022 and works part-time in the Budget Service team.
She is new to Dannevirke and looking for ways to be involved in the local community and to support people in ways she is able. After 23 years in the classroom and 12 in administration, it is time to take life at a slower pace.
When not working at Tararua REAP or at her local church, Carmel loves developing her garden and growing vegetables. She is often seen around the town on her early morning walk.
Employment Liaison Coordinator / Team Leader
Jaron was brought up an Army Brat and is of Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Tamaterā, and Tainui descent. With experience in various industries, his true passion lies in empowering individuals through employment opportunities and training programs to improve their lives. Jaron provides local support to employers, training providers, employees and job seekers, and collaborates extensively with various local community organisations. Alongside his day job, Jaron has been representing Tararua in several leadership groups, including the Manawatu-Whanganui Regional Skills Leadership Group (RSLG), the Youth Employability Aotearoa (YEA) Stewardship Group, and the Driving Change Network Steering Group.
Beyond his professional commitments, Jaron appreciates time with his wife and their two sons. Additionally, he serves as the Black-Belt Head Coach/Owner of a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Dannevirke, contributes time and resources to the local Dannevirke Muay Thai Club and has recently started learning chess.
Admin Coordinator
Shelly is Tararua REAP’s capable allrounder, she is a valued support person for the whole REAP team helping with ECE, and the Science Lab Library. Shelly is the main Administrator for all course related data management plus she helps cover reception.
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.
I.C.T Manager
Jack moved to Dannevirke in 2020, and originally joined REAP in 2022 to host the Arduino electronics hobbyist group, but was quickly absorbed into the organisation when he accidentally revealed other skills. Jack supports the team with all things related to Information and Communication Technology.
He brings with him nearly four decades of computer support experience, as well as event management skills gained as the president of the New Zealand Tolkien Society, Welly-moot. His knowledge on all things Lord Of The Rings have not proven useful yet but time will tell.
Jack lives with his wife and one apathetic cat, and on weekends you might find him at home distilling a new cask of whisky, or playing computer games with his Sydney-based son over the internet.
Marketing and I.T. Support
Tiaki works in several spaces at Tararua REAP, mainly as IT and Marketing Support. You will mostly see Tiaki on reception or teaching the wider community the basics in using their digital devices. Becoming the IT support person for Tararua REAP allows him to continue to expand his knowledge of technology and share that with our community. Tiaki has been living in Dannevirke all his life and began work experience at Tararua REAP at the beginning of 2022. He was employed a few weeks later as IT Support and has now gained many other duties. Tiaki has always been interested in technology but working at REAP has surfaced a new passion with marketing.
Outside of work, Tiaki loves to plan and organise events for the community and would one day love to learn how to make synchronized light and fireworks displays so he can create his own for the Dannevirke Community. He enjoys playing the guitar in his spare time and would eventually like to learn to play the drums. Tiaki also has an interest in custom tiny homes and is currently building a digital design that he plans to actually make in the near future.
Board Secretary
Rebekah performs Secretary duties for Tararua REAP Board and the Tararua Community Youth Services.
Rebekah and her husband live out of town on a little lifestyle block. They are the franchisees of the Wairarapa Just Cabins. Rebekah also operates Halcyon Wellness a space in town that delivers yoga, strength and balance classes and wellness coaching. She co-founded Club SuperCue Limited which delivers Strength and Balance Classes for older adults online and in the community along with instructor training.
Current Board Members are (from left): Jenna Hutchins, Donna Milner, Rebekah Charlton (Secretary), Wendy Lansdown (Board Chair), Stephen Paewai (Resigned April 23), Lee Bettles
(absent Aroha Peakman-Walker)
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
