Oranga Tamariki in the PSA

National Delegates 2019-2021

Care & Protection Residences

Alistair Teague - Puketai – Residential Youth Worker

Kia ora koutou. My name is Alistair and I have been working for Oranga Tamariki for 11 years as a residential youth worker. During this time I have been seconded to a range of residential roles.  I have been a delegate for a total of 6 years, and look forward to progressing residential issues over the next two years.

Email Alistair

Youth Justice Residences

Paula Cross - Te Korowai Manaaki - Residential Social Worker

From Ngai Tahu Tuawhirri and Moraki, proud Mum of 4 and Nana of 6. I have been with CYF and now OT for 15 years, previous I have challenged both organisations in support of our Staff and their working conditions. This is my second term as ND and I'm looking forward to following through on work streams already commenced with the YJ Residences & Remand homes these changes effect and transform our work environment but can only be successful if our staff are fully supported.

Email Paula

Pacific Enterprise Delegate

Timena Kiria Otahuhu - Caregiver Social Worker 

Kia orana everyone. I am Timena Kiria, National Delegate for the Pacific. I hope to do the best I can to advocate and ensure our voices are heard and we are supported. Feel free to communicate with me.

Email Timena 

National Contact Centre

Sarah Wilcox - Contact Centre - Senior Practitioner

National Delegate at National Contact Centre. I came to NCC 5 years ago after 5 years working frontline in West Auckland.  I started at NCC on After Hours and currently work day shift.  It is my intention to utilise these experiences to listen to and represent PSA members at NCC.

Email Sarah

Partnering For Outcomes National Delegate

Audrey Grieve - Whangarei - Advisor

I’m the National Delegate for the Partnering for Outcomes team.  This is a newly created position and I’m honoured to hold it.  I’ve been in Partnering for Outcomes since it was created under Oranga Tamariki.  Previously I’ve held roles in Community Investment and Child, Youth and Family.  I’ve been an active union member throughout my career in the state sector.  I’m located in the Te Tai Tokerau team and live south of Whangarei in sunny Ruakaka.

Email Audrey

National Office

Rob Teppett - Wellington - Senior Advisor Registration (CONVENOR)

I am about to celebrate 33 years with Oranga Tamariki, and have mostly worked in social work practice, as a: social worker,  supervisor, youth justice coordinator and care and protection coordinator and student unit supervisor.  I am currently a senior advisor at National Office, primarily focused on social worker registration and professional development projects. I am humbled and excited to be the newly elected National Convenor, and will passionately advocate for PSA members to ensure Oranga Tamariki delivers on negotiated entitlements, and kai mahi ora.

Email Rob

Otago/South

Melissa Sim - Dunedin - Practice Leader Hospital Liaison

Canterbury

Helen Foley - Papanui- Supervisor

I am a Care and Protection Supervisor in Christchurch and have been a PSA member since I started with the Ministry in 2007.  I have been a site delegate for several years and now have the opportunity as National Delegate to further my commitment to positively engage with members and the Ministry.  I strongly believe in the effectiveness of a collective voice to further the interests of members and am committed to carrying out my role with integrity and respect for all parties.

Email Helen

Upper South

Ngatai Kara - Greymouth - Practice Leader

Tena Koutou. Ko Ngatai Kara toku ingoa, no Te Waipounamu ahau. I have worked under the State Sector Act in Care and Protection for the past 15 years and still struggle to align the aspirations of our staff with the aspirations of our organisation. However, it is in this – at times, ‘trench’ that I love to work and where my passion for fairness, safety and respect for each other, motivates me in seeking win-win solutions.  This is my second term as Upper South’s National Delegate and I am humbled that my colleagues across our roopu have faith that I can carry their issues forward.

Email Ngatai

Wellington

Belinda Clark - Porirua - SWRA

East Coast

Michelle Morgan - Napier - Advisor

Taranaki-Manawatu

Kira Paul - Palmerston North - Coordinator

Kia ora!  I’ve had the honour of being a Rūnanga Delegate for our site in Palmerston North since November last year. In this time I’ve really enjoyed supporting the site delegates and staff, and have also had some great opportunities to see how the PSA works. I’m stoked to have been elected as a National Delegate and Rūnanga National Delegate!

The PSA follows an Organising Model – This is where we work together rather than paying a membership fee for a service! Therefore, every member (member/delegate/Convenor/Organiser/etc) are key to the success of the PSA. Everyone before us (members/delegates/organisers etc) have worked tirelessly to develop and foster key relationships to achieve positive change. I want to see this continue and through Kohitanga/Solidatirty I believe we can keep working towards great things!

I’m really passionate about everyone getting a fair go and ensuring minority voices are heard. I am stoked with what has achieved for our people within the Collective Agreement (Language Development and Tikanga and Te Reo recognition) - I will continue to advocate for our site, and others, to utilise these provisions and work hard to incorporate more Te Ao Māori into out workplaces. I believe a National Delegate should be approachable, be a strong advocate and have great communication skills. So I welcome PSA members to ask questions of me (keep themselves in the loop/be the squeaky wheel). 

Email Kira

Waikato

Pixie Stockman - Hamilton - Coordinator

Bay of Plenty

Helen Jepsen - Tokoroa - Supervisor

I am currently the ND for the BOP region and I work as supervisor of the Care team in Tokoroa. I am excited to be working alongside the great delegate team across our rohe and I look forward to growing our union as we move forward together.

Email Helen

South Auckland

Tekau Marua Ashby - Manukau - Court Supervisor

Central Auckland

Joby George - Otahuhu - Senior Practitioner

I am the PSA national Delegate for the central Auckland Region. I am a senior practitioner at Otahuhu Oranga Tamariki Office. I am working with the Ministry for the last five years as a care and protection social worker. I have been lucky enough to be a site Delegate for the entire duration of my working with the Ministry. PSA is my passion. I believe in collective voice rather individual shouting. This is my second term as a national delegate, and I have gained great confidence and made some individual relationship with the leadership team. I am sure my frontline knowledge and relationship with my members and other delegates is going benefit my role. You are always welcome to contact me if you need any support or for any information that will help you to keep happy and safe.

Email Joby

North & West Auckland

Sandra Bowden - Waitakere - Differential Response Coordinator

I am a social worker at the Waitakere Site in beautiful West Auckland.  I have been a social worker for 20 years and worked in many areas of OT, in child protection in England and for a few NGO’s in NZ but OT is my spiritual home. I come from Torquay in Devon, England originally with extended family links to Birmingham and Durham in the west and north-east of England.  However, I moved to NZ when I was 5 so consider myself a Pakeha New Zealander now and am very grateful to be here.  I grew up in South Auckland and now live in the Waitakere foothills in Glen Eden.

I am passionate about social justice, the right to self-determination, and the emotional and psychological health and safety of social workers.

I feel privileged to represent the North-West of Auckland in the National Delegate group and believe this position is one of service. As Billy Bragg says “There is Power in a Union”.

Email Sandra

Te Tai Tokerau

Daniel Freeman-McGrath - Tautahere Site Whangarei - Senior Practitioner

I am a care and protection senior practitioner based in Whangarei. I have been a PSA member since I started with the Ministry in 2013 and I have been a site delegate since 2017. I have been involved in the PSA as an active member of the PSA Youth Network since 2014, this has included being the National Co-Convenor of the Youth Network from 2017-2019. I am passionate about the PSA and the part the Union has to play in contributing to healthy and positive workplaces. Healthy and positive workplaces are essential in supporting workers to achieve their full potential, which I believe is essential in the mahi we do, given we are supporting others to do the same.

Email Daniel