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OUR TEAM

PAUL THOMPSON

WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
ÅŒtautahi (Christchurch) but have lived in Upper Hutt for 23 years and call Upper Hutt home.

WHY DO YOU DO YOUTHWORK?
I love being able to play a part in seeing rangatahi reach their full potential.

FUN FACT ABOUT ME?

I enjoy doing DIY building in my spare time.
 

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BELINDA LORD

WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
Upper Hutt

WHY DO YOU DO YOUTH WORK AT KICKSTART?
I like that I can use my admin skills to support our youthworkers.

FUN FACT ABOUT ME?
I am the Kickstart Mum.

BRI
KING

WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
I was born in CHCH and grew up in Johnsonville with my parents and older sister.

WHY DO YOU DO YOUTHWORK?
I really love helping young people see their worth and feel like they have a space to be welcome as they are.

FUN FACT ABOUT ME?
My side hustle is drawing peoples houses for them.

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WESLEY FINAU

WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
The Kingdom of Tonga 676

WHY DO YOU DO YOUTHWORK?
I'm passionate about journeying with young people.

FUN FACT ABOUT ME?
I speak two languages.

KAITLIN
KIRK

WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
TBC

WHY DO YOU DO YOUTHWORK?
TBC

FUN FACT ABOUT ME?
TBC

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HANNAH
CODY

WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
Lower Hutt

WHY DO YOU DO YOUTHWORK?
I love seeing the potential in young people and journeying with them as they grow.

FUN FACT ABOUT ME?
I have been in a musical with my grandma!

FAA
TUUINA

WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
Originally from Naenae.  Highschool in Upper Hutt.  But 685 (Samoa) all day!

WHY DO YOU DO YOUTHWORK?
Journeying with young people through all walks in life and seeing them conquer their goals.

FUN FACT ABOUT ME?
I can play piano.

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ZACH
MATHEWS

WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
I hail from the mighty kingdom of Wainuiomata

WHY DO YOU DO YOUTHWORK?
To help guide and journey with young people as they navigate their way through school.

FUN FACT ABOUT ME?
I like Steph Curry.

CAITLYN
RILEY

WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
Born and Raised in Naenae

WHY DO YOU DO YOUTHWORK?
I want to help young people through similar experiences to my upbringing.  Love journeying with young poeple.

FUN FACT ABOUT ME?
I am a boxer.

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MADDY
WATENE

WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
Upper Hutt

WHY DO YOU DO YOUTHWORK?
To be a safe person for our young people in our community to help and support them on their journey through school.

FUN FACT ABOUT ME?
I am double jointed in my right hand.

JD
DOUGLAS

WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
South Auckland (born and raised)

WHY DO YOU DO YOUTHWORK?
Growing up I had a lot of difficult challenges outside of my control, and had some amazing influences who helped me navigate that.  I hope to be able to reciprocate that same care shown to me.

FUN FACT ABOUT ME?
I have 6 middlenames! (dont ask what they are!)

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ANIKA
MOSES

WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
No Mohaka raua ko Waikaremoana ahau

WHY DO YOU DO YOUTHWORK?
Joining rangatahi on their life journey and pushing rangatahi to accomplish anything and everything.

FUN FACT ABOUT ME?
I have 29 pets.  1 dog, 1 cat, 7 chickens, 3 ducks, 3 turtles and 14 fish!

AROHA
DAVIDSON

WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
Stokes Valley born and raised, currently living in Totara Park

WHY DO YOU DO YOUTHWORK?
I grew up in a youthwork involved whanau and enjoy working alongside young people. 

FUN FACT ABOUT ME?
I was once a Hurricanes (Super Rugby) cheerleader.

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BRENNA
WOOD

WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
The Hutt Valley

WHY DO YOU DO YOUTHWORK?
I choose to do youthwork because I found the youthworkers I had as a young person really beneficial and I hope I can be that for young people.

FUN FACT ABOUT ME?
I have two alpacas.

TANE
HORNE

WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
Born in Lower Hutt, lived in Upper Hutt my whole life.


WHY DO YOU DO YOUTHWORK?
I enjoy putting a smile on young peoples faces and having a good time with them.

FUN FACT ABOUT ME?
I love (and am good at) sports.

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KENDALL
SUTTON

WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
I've spent most of my life living in Kapiti.  Whakapapa to all over Europe


WHY DO YOU DO YOUTHWORK?
I love connecting with young people and seeing growth in peoples lives.  In my opinion youthwork is the most fun and exciting way to make a difference in the world.

FUN FACT ABOUT ME?
I still have half my baby teeth.

AARON
LEIFI

WHERE ARE YOU FROM?

Born and raised in Wellington.

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WHY DO YOU DO YOUTHWORK?
I was very inspired by Kickstart and the work they do.

FUN FACT ABOUT ME?
I like watching sport but not playing competitively.

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COMING

SOON

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New team member joining our team in March 2025!

Kickstart is kindly supported by...
Wellington Community Trust
Youthtown
Ann Sinclair Charitable Trust
Winton & Margaret Bear Charitable Trust
T G Macarthy Trust
Ministry of Youth Development
Upper Hutt Cossie Club
Hutt Mana Charitable Trust
Upper Hutt City Council
Digital Wings
Hutt Rotary
Infinity Foundation
The Local Church
Nikau Foundation
Tai Shan Foundation
Baptist Community Ministries
Pelorus Trust
Trust House
The Lion Foundation
Lottery Community

© 2014 - 2025

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