From shearing gangs, freezing works, long-haul driving, to retail and fitness management, Brent had a widely varied working life while he and his wife brought up their three children. Brent joined the police in his late 30’s, working in the CIB before personal circumstances caused a change in direction into youth aid. Working at the ‘top of the cliff’, Brent initiated a nationwide youth intervention program in Aotearoa which was recognised with a Governor General’s award. Now with his own business in health and safety, Brent is able to give back some of his time to Safekids Aotearoa. His philosophy is simple - “if you see a need, do something about it”. Brent sees it as a privilege to be able to deliver workshops to the great organisations working with our young parents. “I’m here to help,” he says. Alexandra trained in Business Management and Public Sector Leadership. She’s become an experienced project manager, community organising coach and trainer working in the health and education sectors. Of NZ Māori (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Raukawa) and Cook Island Māori descent, Alexandra most recently worked as a community-organising project manager at Counties Manukau Health where she led Handle the Jandal, a community mental health programme at Ko Awatea led by Polynesian youth. Her personal experience with an eating disorder as a young adult motivates her. In particular, the gaps and barriers in the health system – which had to be filled by her whānau and community to support her recovery. These became the catalyst for working for community-led health equity. She says “communities can and must be enabled to develop their own leadership and solutions to achieving wellbeing outcomes that matter to them.” ALEXANDRA NICHOLAS Strategic Advisor BRENT RICE Workshop Facilitator Blackie (Ngāti Kahungunu, Te Arawa, Te Whānau-ā-Apanui) has a background in teaching and the education sector. Blackie's strengths are in te Reo Māori, Tikanga Māori and community engagement. He’s taught primary, secondary, total immersion education and is presently a kaiako in the tertiary sector. For Blackie transformation through education is the pathway to keeping our tamariki safe. “Aroha ki te tangata is the key”, as he says - “Mauri Ora!” BLACKIE TOHIARIKI Workshop Facilitator Jo is a proud first-generation NZ born Niuean and comes with a background having worked at ACC in a number of customer-facing roles most recently as a Community Injury Prevention Consultant based in her home town of Wellington. Jo says contributing to improving the wellbeing of communities is why she works in the injury prevention field. A key highlight for her is the opportunity to develop and foster relationships with community groups and support organisations. “The key is partnering to develop up local work plans incorporating key injury prevention priorities based on their injury profile,” Jo says. JO VILIPAAMA Workshop Facilitator Charis studied Commerce at Auckland University and has since built strong operational, administrative and event manage- ment experience. She has a demonstrable commitment to working with children and community organisations, having volunteered at Camp Quality for five years as a companion as well as working at the Make-A-Wish Foundation where she was responsible for granting magical wishes to eligible children in New Zealand. Charis is very passionate about improving the quality of children’s lives and is excited to see how she can make a difference at Safekids Aotearoa. She also loves adventure and travel, having been to a total of twenty nine countries (and counting)! CHARIS MACDONALD Events and Marketing Co-ordinator safekids news | September 2018 ISSUE No 80 9