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KO WAI MĀTOU? | WHO ARE WE?

 

"Ko Emiemi te Maunga,

Awaroa te Awa,

Whangaroa te Moana,

Nuki Auldridge me Doreen Renata 

toku Maatua tupuna,

Tahawai, Ngati Pakahi, Ngai Tawake

toku Hapu

Ngāpuhi, Ngatikahu toku Iwi,

Kororareka Renata Toetoe taku ingoa,

Engari ingoa Pakeha Russell Smith."

Russell: Co-Director and Co-Founder of Korowai Tumanako

 

Russell is a highly skilled clinician specializing in harmful sexual behavior (HSB) and has over 20 years of experience leading clinical teams. His work focuses on providing therapeutic services for children and adolescents exhibiting sexually harmful behavior, as well as for adults who have offended against children.

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He has successfully completed three research projects for Rape Prevention Education and spearheaded an 18-month consultation initiative among Māori in Tāmaki, which, with support from the Ministry of Justice, Te Puni Kōkiri, and the ASB Community Trust, laid the groundwork for the Tiaki Tinana project.

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In addition to his leadership roles, Russell has extensive experience in private practice, working with adult sexual and violent offenders, as well as survivors of sexual and domestic violence. His professional journey includes roles in Adolescent Mental Health, Child Youth and Family Services, the NZPARS residential Montgomery House Program, the Domestic Violence Centre (now SHINE), Te Whānau Rataroa Social Services, and various other organizations.

Earlier in his career, Russell was the Managing Director of two transport logistics companies, where he developed and implemented International Standards Organization (ISO) protocols.

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Russell also brings a strong background in child protection and caregiver training. Over 15 years, he has co-fostered 34 children through a community fostering agency. However, his most cherished role remains that of a father to three wonderful children and Koro to eleven grandchildren.

Ko Tainui te waka,

Ko Tararua te maunga,

Ko Otaki te awa,

Ko Ngati Raukawa ki te tonga te iwi,

Ko Ngati Te Horu raua ko Ngati Koroki nga hapu,

Ko Raukawa te marae,

Ko Tauhia raua ko Mavis Te Wiata oku maatua

Ko Joy Te Wiata toku ingoa

No reira tena koutou, tena koutou, tena tatou katoa.

Joy: Co-Director and Co-Founder of Korowai Tumanako

 

Joy is a dedicated clinician specializing in harmful sexual behavior (HSB) and a co-founder of Korowai Tumanako. With over 17 years of experience, she has been instrumental in developing clinical practices tailored specifically for Māori in the HSB sector. Joy has co-led a team of Māori clinical practitioners, providing therapeutic services for tamariki and rangatahi with harmful sexual behavior, as well as for men and women who have offended against children. Her journey in the sexual violence sector began on Pitcairn Island and has continued to evolve since.

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Joy has worked with various social service providers, including several years at Ngāti Raukawa Social Services and Toiora Whānau in the Horowhenua/Manawatū region, delivering therapeutic services to her iwi. She has also provided counseling and mediation for the Family Court and has a particular interest in domestic violence. Joy developed a therapeutic program for the Department for Courts that addresses the needs of wahine survivors of violence.

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She holds a Master’s in Counselling (Hons 1), during which she completed a research project exploring the contributions of Māori knowledge to Pākehā identity and its impact on local Aotearoa counseling practices.

Joy is passionate about fostering a safe environment for her mokopuna, enabling them to thrive as proud Māori and build rich futures for generations to come.


Maeli: Kai Whakahaere

 

Maeli serves as the Kai Whakahaere at Korowai Tumanako, bringing a wealth of experience that enables her to effectively manage and support the Co-Directors, clinicians, and facilitators within the organization. As our kaikaranga, she is the first point of contact for whānau accessing our diverse range of services.

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In addition to her management role, Maeli oversees the Prevention portfolio and team, ensuring our initiatives are impactful and community-focused. With a strong background in early childhood education, she is passionate about working alongside rangatahi and tamariki, fostering a nurturing environment for their growth and development.

Ko Tainui te waka,

Ko Tararua te maunga,

Ko Otaki te awa,

Ko Ngati Raukawa ki te tonga te iwi,

Ko Ngati Te Horu raua ko Ngati Koroki nga hapu,

Ko Raukawa te marae,

Ko Maeli Joe toku ingoa 



MBRS: TOAH-NNEST (Te Ohaaki a Hine – National Network Ending Sexual Violence Together) - Executives on the Paetakawaenga of Nga Kaitiaki Mauri TOAH-NNEST.

(TOAH-NNEST is a representative group of the sexual violence service provision sector which actively informs Government on issues surrounding sexual violence)



Locations:

 

Auckland       New Zealand 0610

 

Whangarei     New Zealand 0110

 

Kaikohe          New Zealand 0405

 

Hokianga       New Zealand 0472

 

Kaitaia            New Zealand 0410

 

Whangaroa     New Zealand 0478

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