Our Team
Renee RewiKo Tuwatawata raua ko Tawhiuau nga māunga
Ko Whirinaki raua ko Rangitaiki nga awa Ko Maatatua te Waka Ko Wharepakau rāua ko Tangiharuru ōku tangata Ko Ngati Whare rāua ko Ngati Manawa ōku Iwi Ko Ngai Te Au rāua ko Ngati Koro ōku hapu Ko Waikotikoti me Murumurunga me Painoaiho ōku Marae No Murupara ahau Ko Douglas rāua ko Hariata ōku matua Ko Renee Rewi toku ingoa In October 2018, I was honoured to be appointed, General Manager - Catholic Family Support Service, Hamilton Diocese. I come with a strong background in project management, management and law, with over 25 years’ experience in Treaty and Maori issues. I graduated with a Master of Law from Waikato University and admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court NZ.
Nō reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa |
Dianne LeBasPrior to coming to Hamilton in 2004, I worked for 20 years for a Research Organisation in Rotorua and was Management Assistant to two high level Managers. Since my move to Hamilton I was Executive Assistant to the Managing Director of a small manufacturing company.
I have been working for Catholic Family Support services since November 2008. Since joining this organisation I have had diverse roles, starting as Receptionist/Personal Assistant and general administration duties. In 2009 I became a fully trained Budget Adviser and since then my role has progressed from Budget Coordinator to Team Leader Budget Services where I am coordinating the Building Financial Capability programme and supervising Financial Mentors. My spare time is spent spending time with my partner and also I am Secretary of the Geyserland Cat Club, based in Rotorua, which uses my organising skills. |
Mututanga DavisHe mihi atu ki a koutou katoa
Ko Waikato te awa Ko Taupiri te maunga Ko Te Wherowhero te tangata Waikato Taniwharau He piko, he taniwha He piko, he taniwha Ko Tainui tooku Waka Ko Waikato tooku Iwi Ko Mututanga Davis ahau I am a qualified practicing Social Worker and Financial Mentor with Catholic Family Support Services. I enjoy the challenging work of the various aspects of my roles, which I find very satisfying and empowering for myself and the whaanau clients that I work alongside and support.
Kaupapa Maaori is the foundation stone of my practice that is supported by the tikanga of Catholic Family Support Services: whakapapa, whaanaungatanga, aroha/empathy, manaakitanga, kotahitanga and integrity, which guide me to engage and move respectfully within my interactions with other. The weaving together of my tikanga and kawa, skills, knowledge and connections support the building and strengthening of positive relationships. The whakatauakii for me encompasses this and refers to the co-operation with others and the combining of our efforts and resources to achieve whaanau capability. “Ma pango ma whero ka oti te mahi” |
Janinne ThomasI have recently completed a Bachelor of Social Sciences at the University of Waikato which strengthened my commitment to social justice, human rights, and social responsibility and led me to my job at CFSS.
I have a background in business ownership and other administrative roles. I enjoy using the experience I have gained in my previous roles, as well as my degree in social policy in my work at CFSS. I also volunteer at Citizens Advice Bureau and my partner and I live on a dairy farm in the South Waikato and we have 5 adult daughters. 
Miria Te MoniKia Ora Koutou,
Ki te taha o tōku mama Ko Pūtauaki te maunga Ko Ōhinemataroa te awa Ko Ngāti Awa te iwi Ko Ngāti Pūkeko te hapū Ko Mātaatua te waka Ko Rangataua te marae Ki te taha o tōku mama whāngai Ko Taranaki te maunga Ko Hangatahua te awa Ko Taranaki Tūturu te iwi Ko Ngā Māhanga a Tairi te hapū Ko Aotea te waka Ko Parihaka te marae Ko Miria Te Moni ahau Hello, my name is Miria and my maternal whakapapa links me to Whakatane and Taranaki.
For the most part of my upbringing I was raised in Kawerau, which is where I call home. I have a passion for Social Work, which stems from my lived experiences of social issues, and a commitment to social justice. I have recently taken on a role as a Social Worker here at Catholic Family Support Services, and I look forward to the journey ahead. Nō reira tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa. |
Mihi SmithKo Whenuaroa tooku waka
Ko Huruiki tooku maunga Ko Whangaruru tooku awa Ko Ngatiwai tooku iwi Ko Hikihiki tooku haapu Ko Ngaiotonga tooku marae. Ko Mihi Smith ahau Connections are so important to Maaori, hence why we give our pepeha, this is our way of standing and saying..Do you know where I'm from? Can we make a connection? My practice is based on my principles and I use my name not only as an acronym for explaining those principles, but as a solid base from where I can practice from and be an effective Social worker and Primary teacher. M stands for 'Mauri' where all connections start.from, the essence, the beginnings. I for Ihi..the first breath..lived life experiences.. H is for Haa..the exhale..the consequences, and lastly, I in Inoi..the hope and faith that all we do works towards a positive and collaborative outcome So looking forward to working with whaanau Mauri Ora |
Graeme MunfordI have joined Catholic Family Support Services part time to work on a number of projects in support of the social work team.
I have recently moved to Hamilton with my wife Wendy and 2 children (Wendy is the new Dean of Waikato Anglican Cathedral). Previously I managed Anglican and Catholic Family Services (ACROSS) in Palmerston North where I worked for 14 years. I have a background in social work and counselling, and am a registered social worker. I am looking forward to the opportunity to add to the excellent work that Catholic Family Support Services is doing in the community. 
Lorraine BurgerI am a registered social worker and I enjoy working with whanau by helping them to manage the challenges in their lives.
As stated by John Buchan, I believe that “the task of leadership is not to put greatness into people, but to elicit it, for greatness is already there”. This quote supports my approach of working in a developmental manner and empowering people to make their own decisions and bring about the changes they wish to see in their lives. I am married to an amazing husband and soon-to-be-father. We have relocated from South Africa, where I practiced as a Community Development Practitioner for the Western Cape’s first Integrated Residential Development Programme, did cross-cultural training and worked extensively in Child Protection. |
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