OUR TEAM
PAUL THOMPSON
Paul and his wife, Karen, have been invested in the community for over 18 years, and continue to build strong relationships to be able to make a real difference in people's lives.
As director, Paul oversees the overall work of the trust, stakeholders and staff.
SHONTEL OLOAPU
Shontel is one of our OG youthworkers @ Kickstart. She provides supervision for some of our staff and oversees all our youthwork at Upper Hutt College and our new Pasifika and Maori programme.
Lexie Whiteman
Lexie is back at Kickstart! After a small hiatus she has rejoined our team. She is leading our group of youthworkers at Maidstone Intermediate this year.
She loves music and her dog, Kevin.
JORDAN SULUI
Jordan joined our team in 2021 and works with Kickstart in our youth centre leading our hangs space! You will hear him before you see him!
Jordan is passionate about fitness and sport as well as music.
BRI
KING
Bri joined our team in 2021 as a youthworker. She loves music, art, and people!
You will see Bri around Upper Hutt College this year, as well as a few of our programmes!
FILI
TAUTI
Fili is another one of our amazing youthworkers here at Kickstart. He is passionate about music and basketball.
You might see him around Maidstone Intermediate or in our after school Hangs Space
KAITLIN
KIRK
Kaitlin joined the Kickstart team in 2022. She has experience in leading youthgroups and was one of our OG spearhead leaders.
This year Kaitlin is leading our Manawaroa programme in Fergusson Intermediate and is also studying towards her certificate in Youth Work through Praxis.
Jess Hedge
Jess has joined the Kickstart team for 2022! She has experience doing youth work in many different spaces and we are excited to see her impact on the young people of our community.
CHARLOTTE REMPALA
Charlotte (Charlie) is one of our youth workers and also one of our key barista's. You'll see her hanging out in the coffee cart at Netball, Speedway, and other events as well as doing barista training with young people.
Charlie came up through some of our kickstart programmes as a young person.
kickstartcoffee@kickstart.org.nz
KERRY HARRISON
Kerry has officially started working for Kickstart after interning with us for a couple of years while working towards her diploma.
Kerry can be found on a few of our programmes for young women and doing mentoring.
WESLEY
FINAU
Wesley is working at kickstart while studying towards his Diploma. He can be found around Maidstone Intermediate, at our Manawaroa Programme, or in our Hangs Space.
He's passionate about music, sports and food.
JOHNELLE HARAWIRA
You may recognise Johnelle from our old coffee space in the train station a few years ago. She has joined us as a youthworker for 2023.
She can be found on a few of our programmes, including our Manawaroa programme and in our after school Hangs Space
HANNAH CODY
Hannah has joined the Kickstart team for 2023. She can be found on a number of different programmes and in our after school Hangs Space.
BELINDA LORD
Belinda joined our team in mid 2018 as administrator with primary responsibility for overseeing our transport social enterprises.
She is the go to person if you want to hire a van.