We are a Pacific led NGO (non-government organisation) and hold Faa Pasefika (Pacific Way) at the heart of our values. We understand that cultural integrity is the foundation on the journey to wellness for our communities most in need. Alongside this ethos, Penina is human focused; valuing people with love, compassion, care, and respect.

With holistic wellness at the core of our work, it is important that we work closely with both the individual, their wider whanau/aiga, communities, other social services and community organisations that support the journey to wellness for our clients.

Penina respects tangata whenua and mana whenua in all that we do, upholding the principles of Te Tiriti O Waitangi in all our strategic and operation decisions. We continue to develop meaningful relationships with mana whenua in South Auckland.

Penina strives to deliver all services in a timely, appropriate, and safe way employing professional clinical and culturally skilled staff. We respect the dignity and mana/mamalu, of all of the families and communities that we serve. Our priority is our Pacific and Māori communities, but we are inclusive of all ethnicities in the services we offer and ensure that all clients see their culture reflected in the care and support they receive.

With a strong finance and administration background, Kevin has experience in the Higher Education sector including a period with (what is now known as) AUT and a period as the founding Registrar of NorthTec in Whangarei. This was followed by seventeen years at Papua New Guinea’s University of Technology in Lae including six years as the University Bursar and seven years as the University’s Planning Director.

In 2000 Kevin joined Oxfam New Zealand as their Finance and Admin Director and held that post until 2010 when he commenced his retirement planning, taking on a newer more specialised role as the International Programme Finance Manager until he retired in 2015.

He has, from this experience, developed an extensive array of administrative, organizational, management, finance and planning skills which he continues to put into practice by providing financial and administrative support to several charities since he retired, including Oxfam New Zealand, ECPAT Child Alert, Penina Health Trust and Child Fund, some as Treasurer.

Away from this Kevin is a keen fisherman owning his own boat and is able to spend more time in his garden and music in retirement on the Thames Coast.

Gillian is a qualified Social Worker, graduating from Brigham Young University in Hawaii with a Bachelor of Social Work.

She has worked in a number of different areas both within the health and other related fields – starting her career at Princess Mary Hospital working with children and youth. Later she worked in more generic areas of hospital social work. Gillian has also had experience in travel as she worked as an international air hostess.

Gillian’s first experience in social work was when she worked for South Auckland Health for three years in the Community Mental Health Team, Otara. Later she took a break from health to manage in the Niue Education Office. After one year in this position, Gillian returned to South Auckland Health to continue her social work role within Maternal Mental Health.

Amongst one of Gillian’s many achievements, one of the greatest must be her continued service to the Pacific Island women’s refuge where Gillian has continued to work on a voluntary basis for several years now. Currently, Gillian works as a social worker for Faleola Services, Counties-Manukau Pacific Mental Health Services.

Iese has been a lawyer for more than 25 years with extensive Criminal, Family and Employment law experience. He spent 10 years at Air New Zealand on their legal team as in-house counsel and currently represents a number of commercial and charitable organisations.

He has been in private practise since 2010 and is passionate about giving back to his local community and has been contracted to the South Auckland community law centre since 2014.

Iese has also served on a number of school and church boards and speaks fluent Samoan.

Christina is one of our newest Board members, coming from a background in early childhood education and social work.

She gained her Certificate in Teaching Early Childhood at Endeavour Skills, where she went on to work as an early childhood teacher for many years.

In 2014, Christina completed her Social Work Degree, and had been utilising her unique skill set in making a positive contribution to her community through her current role as a SWiS.

She is currently employed by the Anglican Trust for Women and Children, as a social worker in schools for Koru School in Mangere.