Judy Bailey, ONZM
Founder / Patron
Judy is a writer and broadcaster, but most well-known for her past role as a television news reader. Judy has also for many years been actively involved in voluntary charity work including: Patron of North Shore Hospice, Patron of the Friends of Women’s Refuge, Patron of the National Collective of Women’s Refuges, Patron of the Skylight Trust - an organisation that helps children and adults who are affected by trauma, loss and grief, Patron of The Grief Centre - a national organisation dealing with grief and loss and Patron of the Muscular Dystrophy Association of New Zealand. She dedicates much of her time, and skills in journalism and fundraising to Brainwave Trust as a Trustee, Educator and Advisor.
Jeanine Tamati-Elliffe
Chair
Jeanine is a māmā of six tamariki and currently works as the Tuia Te Herenga (Ngāi Tahu Partnership) Initiative Lead at Environment Canterbury in Ōtautahi. She has a passion and background in the areas of systems change and innovation, reo revitalisation and Māori public health advocacy. She is the current Co-Chair of both the National Maternity Monitoring Group and Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Whānau Tahu and is also a member of Te Waipounamu Child Health Alliance. Jeanine also runs her own consultancy business, Manawa Tītī Limited.
Anthea Springford
Treasurer
Since leaving investment banking, Anthea has worked mostly pro bono for a range of not-for-profits and advisory groups in New Zealand and Hong Kong. She brings a strong background of financial and organisational experience to her role as Brainwave’s Trustee and Treasurer.
Dr Julia Ioane
Trustee
Julia is bi-lingual in Samoan and English; with connections to the villages of Leauva’a and Fasito’outa in Samoa. She is an Associate Professor in clinical psychology at Massey University and holds a small private practice as a clinical psychologist. Julia continues to conduct research in the area of children and youth, while working directly with children, youth and their families in the Justice sector. She remains committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of all our children and youth in Aotearoa is paramount to our future.
Dr Julie Wharewera-Mika
Trustee
Ngāti Awa, Ngāi Tūhoe, Te Whānau ā Apanui. Julie and her husband Jerome (Samoan – Moata’a, Lelepa) are proud parents to four sons. Julie is a Mana Mokopuna Commissioner and co-founder of Manu Ārahi, a kaupapa Māori psychology and research consultancy. She also serves as co-Lead of the Aotearoa Brain Project and as Head of MAS Foundation, dedicated to enhancing health and wellbeing equity. With a strong commitment to governance, Julie advocates for system transformation that prioritises wellbeing through values-based leadership, collaboration, and empowering community-led and whānau-centred approaches.
Dr Emma Wehipeihana
Trustee
Ngāti Tukorehe, Ngāti Porou. Emma is a junior doctor at Middlemore Hospital, and an award-winning writer and podcast host. Emma’s writing features at The Guardian, Newsroom, Stuff, The Spinoff and in academic and literary journals. She has a background in politics, communications, media and Māori public health.
Pimento Fata
Trustee
Born and raised in South Auckland, Pimento is a family law practitioner with over two decades of experience in New Zealand. Proud of her Samoan and Tongan heritage, Pimento holds a prestigious Taupou title, embodying deep cultural leadership. She regularly advocates for children in legal proceedings and remains committed to fostering harmonious family relationships through educational initiatives and proactive legal strategies.
Huia Hanlen
Kaihautu / Chief Executive
Tapuika. Huia has had almost 30 years’ experience in the tertiary education sector, beginning as an educator and ending in executive roles. Huia’s commitment to education is driven from the impact that knowledge and skill development can have on an individual and their whanau, hapu and iwi.
Keryn O’Neill
Knowledge Manager
Keryn has a deep understanding of many factors influencing the development of our tamariki, which she enjoys sharing. She is driven to improve outcomes for all our tamariki and rangatahi, and views research as an important tool to help achieve this. Keryn has written many articles for Brainwave, which are often republished elsewhere.
André Ngāpō
Learning Designer
André is a registered teacher with over 20 years of experience in primary, high school, and adult education. He is currently studying Neuroscience through Harvard’s online edX programme, and alongside his Graduate Diploma in Teaching, he holds a Bachelor of Social Science, a Diploma in Te Aupikitanga-ki-te-Reo-Kairangi, and a Diploma in Media Arts. He is a project development leader with Brainwave Trust Aotearoa, and key presenter working with professionals in the social services and education sectors.
Hannah Howes
Marketing Manager
Hannah is from Ōtepoti, lives in Te Ngaengae and has worked for twenty years in the creative industry. As a designer she has developed brand strategy, print and web design for NGOs, entrepreneurs and universities and has helped community groups grow their audiences through social media and online channels. She holds a Bachelor in Fine Arts and a Diploma in Graphic Design.
Robyn Fisher
Bookings & Database Administrator
Robyn has a over 10 years experience in administration in high pressure roles within both government and not-for-profit organisations. She is a Salesforce wiz, using her skills to constantly improve processes and reporting. She is committed to supporting the team so that all workshops run as seamlessly as possible.
Samantha Poland
Accountant
Sam is an experienced Chartered Accountant, having previously worked in practice and held industry roles within education, manufacturing, and retail. She is responsible for managing the Trust’s financial transaction and financial reporting. She is passionate about helping towards creating better futures for tamariki growing up in NZ. She holds a Bachelor of Business degree, Post Graduate Diploma in Professional Accounting, and a Graduate Diploma in Arts (Psychology). Sam is currently studying towards a Post Graduate Diploma in Arts (Psychology) at Massey University.
Roimata
Mātauranga Māori and Innovation Lead / Kaiako
Waikato Maniapoto, Ngāti Apakura, Ngāti Mahuta. Roimata was born and raised in Otara. She was privileged with being raised in and around te ao Māori with te reo Māori being her first language. Rongoa Māori (traditional Māori medicine) was a core component of her upbringing, this later contributed to her love of merging sciences and Te Ao Māori and using that merge to connect with whanau. With a background in teaching and in the public sector, Roi thrives on pushing the system to create better outcomes for whanau. Roimata is mum to four tamariki, two girls and two boys who she is raising in Manurewa with her husband Harrington.
Amelia
Kaiako
Fakaofo, Nukunonu and Atafu – Tokelau and Lepea – Samoa. Amelia is first generation born in Wellington and raised in Taupo-nui-a-Tia. A mum to three tamaiti, one boy and two girls and currently living in Weymouth, Manurewa with partner Jason and the rest of her intergenerational kāiga (family) – sister, aunty and father. Amelia absolutely loves the galuega (vision/work) that Brainwave has and would love for this to be shared with all the kāiga in her communities, to support them to thrive.
Deb
Kaiako
Ngare Raumati, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Awa, Te Whānāu-ā-Apanui. Deb provides workshops and presentations at a local and national level and is also invited to deliver as a Keynote Speaker Kaupapa Māori (where science has caught up to Indigenous practices pre-colonisation). Deb has two birth adult children, four whāngai and four mokopuna. Her strongest attribute is the work she does to support whānau/hapū and iwi development.
Jason
Kaiako
Jason is from Christchurch and is a programme coordinator and tutor at the Institute of Canterbury. He teaches sports coaching and indigenous studies and tutors in pacific performing arts and Gagana Sāmoa. Jason represented New Zealand in the All Black Rugby 7’s and spent time playing in several countries and has been a selector and coach in the Canterbury region. He is a respected leader in Pacific communities in Canterbury.
Jim
Kaiako
Ngati Pākeha. Jim has specialised in the Family Harm sector since 2000. He joined Brainwave in 2009 and has presented to a variety of audiences and agencies. His focus is on engaging parents and professionals to support and develop their existing knowledge and skills. He likes to share stories and a laugh.
Jor’el
Kaiako
Jor'el is a descendant Tainui Waka and a proud father who is passionate about nature, human connection and te ao Māori. He is currently a Whānau Ora navigator and Mataora (agent of change) in the health sector. "I believe everyone deserves to live a happy, healthy and safe life no matter what the current circumstances".
Kataraina
Kaiako
Kataraina is very familiar with the term “It takes a village to raise a child” as she embraces the opportunity to live and learn within a four-generation home environment. She currently works for Te Korowai Hauora o Hauraki, as the Education & Employment Coordinator and previously Child and Adolescent Mental Health Whānau Support. Katarina’s aspirations for self, whānau, hapū, iwi, te ao Māori, te taioa is to raise confidence: “Whāia te pae tawhiti kia tata, whāia te pae tata, whakamaua kia tina. Seek out the distant horizons, cherish those you attain.”
Latu
Kaiako
Latu is a New Zealander and of Samoan descent and has worked within the education sector as a teacher and lecturer for 20 years. He has led professional development in Early Childhood through to Tertiary. He is totally inspired by Brainwave message and is proud to be part of the team as a presenter for Wellington. Latu has a Masters in Educational Psychology and is at present looking to start his PhD in Education. Latu is also involved heavily with this community leading Pasifika Healthy Lifestyle exercise programmes affordable for families to attend. Latu has three amazing children who are the apple of his eye.
Laura
Kaiako
Being a māmā to six young men and having a background in education inspires Laura to join others on the journey to giving our tamariki the best start and support in their young years. It takes a village to raise a child and she sees it as her privilege to be able to serve her communities in that collective mission.
Lizzy
Kaiako
Ngāti Pākeha, whanaunga ki Ngāti Porou me Te Arawa. Lizzy comes from a broad cross-sector background in Education, including secondary school teaching of English, Te Reo, Social Science and more recently Health. Being bi-lingual, Lizzy has also worked in Kohanga, Kura Kaupapa and Primary as well as adult / community education focusing on Te Tiriti and Hauora / Wellbeing.
Maire
Kaiako
Kāi Tahu, Kati Māmoe, Waitaha. Maire has extensive experience working with school communities, agencies and community groups. She has a passion for the wellbeing of our tamariki and rangatahi. Maire is based in South Canterbury with her husband and two beautiful, energetic tamariki. She feels honoured to be part of Brainwave Trust and to share this knowledge.
Michael
Kaiako
Ngāti Tūwharetoa and Ngāti Tu descent. As a father of three and a qualified therapist, Michael has an appreciation for the impacts the environment has on a child's life. "What a gift it is, to be able to support whānau in creating environments that honour their tamaiti."
Min
Kaiako
Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa. Min has spent the majority of her career, as a Registered Nurse, serving the community she grew up in. Min was born and raised in Otara and spent a great deal of her childhood in Te Tai Tokerau. She has two young tamariki and is passionate about giving our pēpi the best chance in life.
Norma
Kaiako
Norma has been a Kaiako since 2010. She enjoys working with all audiences from young mums to professionals. She brings with her a practical approach having worked since 2003, with children with a range of challenges at West Auckland Riding for the Disabled. She is the group President. She strongly believes in the benefits to all, of getting things right for our tamariki in the early years. She understands that parenting doesn’t have to be perfect but there are some essentials required if our children are to thrive.
Oriana
Kaiako
A’ai-o-Niue, Taufusi – Apia. Originally from Samoa and raised in Otara, Oriana is a dedicated and industrious mother to her four wonderful children. Currently, she resides in Papatoetoe with her husband Emani and their family. Oriana shares Brainwaves' vision, emphasising the importance of valuing and nurturing all tamariki in Aotearoa so they can achieve their potential. She is enthusiastic about sharing her knowledge with individuals who have an impact on the wellbeing of our pēpi and tamariki.
Rob
Kaiako
Rob has a background in family violence prevention & supporting tamariki/rangatahi in care and is active in the community and academia to create change. He loves facilitating Brainwave workshops, helping people understand how our brains develop in childhood and adolescence, and most importantly what we can do to help them reach their potential.
Sarah
Kaiako
“I get out of bed every morning to help people be the best version of themselves they can be.” Sarah lives in Wellington with her family, including teenage children who are an integral part of her mission to make the world a better place. Sarah is also an author (“Changing the world is child’s play”), coach and mentor.
Tabitha
Kaiako
Tabitha is a General Practitioner. She has been a family doctor for 24 years and is passionate about the dignity and value of parenting. She can think of no better preventive medicine than teaching people about the importance of the first three years of life. She believes getting this information to the community and future parents should be a health priority.
Te Moehau
Kaiako
Tūhoe, Ngāti Whātua, Ngāpuhi. Te Moehau is the mother of a three year old, providing her with first hand experience of the Brainwave kaupapa—"Whakamana i te tamaiti". Currently living in Timaru, Te Moehau is excited to share what she has learned through He Hīkoi Mahara with other parents, soon to be parents, young parents and whānau.