The Safekids Team
Melissa Wilson, Director
Melissa brings a wealth of leadership experience, having worked across government and not-for-profit sectors, most recently as National Executive Officer at the Child Cancer Network. She has managed multi-agency projects and high profile public awareness campaigns that brought individuals and organisations together. More importantly, Melissa has a passion for grassroots initiatives that empower and support families and communities.
Alessandra Françóia (BS/Soc Com, MBA), Injury Prevention Advisor
Alessandra has a bachelor’s degree in Social Communication – Journalism, and has an MBA in Project Management specialising in Social Responsibility. She is from Brazil and has worked in Criança Segura Brasil (Safe Kids Brazil) for 14 years. Some of the great things she helped develop in her previous role include the implementation of mandatory use of car seats and safety standards, and the development of a training program on child injury prevention that reached more than 500,000 families.
At Safekids Aotearoa her primary role is to develop programmes and support coalitions in their injury prevention work. In her free time she loves to run, watch movies and read books.
Email: [email protected]
Blackie Tohiariki, Kaitakawaenga/ Cultural Liaison & Advisor
Blackie is the youngest of a family of 11. Born and bred in Frasertown Wairoa, he attended Te Aute College ('73-'77) and Palmerston North Teachers College ('78-'80). Blackies' background and teaching experience is in Education--primary, secondary, tertiary, bi-lingual, total immersion. He also conducts marae and community based facilitation, and cultural assessment within organisations. Blackie comes from a rural upbringing and is now living in a city of diverse cultural ethnicities. The safety and well being of all Kiwi children has always been his passion, and is a challenge that Blackie is totally committed to.
Blackie enjoys his cultural commitments, hunting and fishing, travelling and performing (kapahaka), socialising and ALL sports. Kawea ki uta - Bring it on !!!
Email Blackie
Gervaise Ledger (Grad Dip.), Team Support
Gervaise’s background is in Graphic Design, the printing industry and sales. Under graphic design she has worked on a variety of projects involving children and young people with Parenting Inc., Youth Law, Human Rights, and The Ministry Justice (Dept of Courts) among others.
Gervaise worked in Sales and promotions for 5 years and also managed databases and customer accounts. In her spare time Gervaise enjoys movies, training and walking her 2 dogs and painting.
Email: [email protected]
Helena Westwick (MA, MLIS, Dip. Mgt, RLIANZA), Information Specialist
Helena’s background is in corporate librarianship, web content management and communications and marketing. She has an NZIM Diploma in Management from the Open Polytechnic, an MA from The University of Auckland and an MLIS (Masters of Library and Information Studies) from Victoria University of Wellington.
Helena has previously worked in local government and the tertiary education sectors. She is a registered librarian (RLIANZA). In 2016, she completed the New Zealand Diploma in Public Relations and Communication Management through the Open Polytechnic of New Zealand.
In her spare time she enjoys movies, cooking, reading, yoga and competitive ballroom dancing.
Email: [email protected]
Joanna Milne - PA to Director
Joanna or Jo is Ann's personal assistant and manages the day-to-day operations at Safekids Aotearoa. Jo has held similar positions at various teams within Auckland District Health Board.
Email: [email protected]
Moses Alatini (BA, BA [Hons], MA [Hons]), Policy Analyst
Moses holds a Master’s degree in Political Studies from the University of Auckland. Before joining Safekids Aotearoa he was an analyst for Statistics New Zealand in Wellington. Moses also became a Senior Analyst at Statistics NZ and was also the project manager for the New Zealand Income Survey.
Moses’ current role is to support the development of child injury prevention policy advice and advocacy through policy responses, submissions and documents that reflect understanding of the policy and relationship issues involved. Other core roles include analytical and strategic thinking and planning; coordinate and contribute to the process of policy development and implementation across the injury prevention workforce, and also manage stakeholder relationships.
Moses is married to Mele and both are of Tongan heritage. They are also the parents of two boys.
Email: [email protected]
Victoria Jarvis, Coalition Coordinator
Vikki joined Safekids Aotearoa in 2001 and has been an integral part in helping build community support for campaigns and programmes, and connecting with injury prevention workers and child safety groups across New Zealand. Vikki is also an excellent multitasker—in between organising workshops and supporting injury prevention groups, Vikki is busy homemaker and mum of three children.
Email: [email protected]