Our Team
Renee RewiTēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa
Ko Tuwatawata raua ko Tawhiuau ōku maunga Ko Whirinaki raua ko Rangitaiki ōku awa Ko Maatatua te Waka Ko Ngati Whare rāua ko Ngati Manawa ōku Iwi Ko Ngai Te Au rāua ko Ngati Koro ōku hapu Ko Waikotikoti rātou ko Murumurunga, ko Painoaiho ōku Marae No Murupara ahau Ko Renee Rewi ahau I am from Murupara. I am Catholic and attended St Joseph’s Māori Girls’ College in Napier. In my earlier years worked for the Catholic Commission for Justice Peace and Development in Wellington.
In October 2018, I was honoured to be appointed, 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, Maori and community issues. I graduated with a Master of Law from Waikato University, and admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court NZ. In my work for my Iwi, Ngati Whare and Ngati Manawa as a Trustee and negotiator, I helped to negotiate a settlement of their respective Treaty claims as part of the Central North Island negotiations. 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. |
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. |
Theresa GierkeI have recently started my role as Receptionist/Administrator at Catholic Family Support Services. I am originally from South Africa, we relocated to New Zealand 15 months ago.
My career kicked off in the banking industry. After 14 years of service, I decided to broaden my horizons and accepted a position in the private sector; since 2006, I have been working in human resources and payroll. I have a passion for the well-being of people; therefore, I am part of Mission without Borders NZ. My husband and I live in Morrinsville, and we have an eleven-year-old boy. In my spare time, we go biking and explore the lovely New Zealand scenery. |
Trish RobinsonHi, my name is Trish or Tricia.
I have come to the Catholic Family Support Services team with experience from working at a similar organisation in Western Australia. After 21 years in Geraldton, I returned home to Aotearoa and begun working as the Family Support Worker at Marian Catholic Primary School. In the past, I have also worked as a teacher, a Missionary in Vanuatu, a Prison Chaplain, a Victim Support Counsellor and then went into Management as the Programmes Manager. I am really enjoying part of the Catholic Family Support Services Team providing some of the Supervised Contact visits. |
Maria LangenhovenKia ora
My name is Maria, and I am originally from South Africa. However, I have lived in New Zealand for most of my life and consider this beautiful country to be my home. I am a registered social worker here at Catholic Family Support Services. Previously I was a Social Worker at Open Home Foundation where I worked alongside families to support them in keeping their families together. I am a firm believer that everyone has a story to tell, and everyone’s story must be heard. I look forward to hearing the stories of whanau in the Waikato and walking alongside them to help them reach any goal that they would like to achieve. He aha te mea nui o te ao He tangata, he tangata, he tangata What is the most important thing in the world? It is the people, it is the people, it is the people. |
Sina Asomua-BishopTalofa Lava, Malo le Soifua!
Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou katoa Ko Ngāti Hāmoa rāua ko Ngāti Pākehā ōku iwi Ko Va’a Asomua rāua ko Hazel Sanders ōku mātua Nō Lotofaga me Whakatū ahau E noho ana au ki Pirongia Ko Danny Bishop tāku hoa tāne Nō Kāwhia ia Ko Tawera tāku tamaiti Ko Sina Asomua-Bishop tōku ingoa Tenā koutou katoa I have recently joined the team here as a Family/Whānau Support Worker and have a background working in health and community social services agencies, pastoral care and community development initiatives. I love our Philosophy of “Keeping Hope Alive” and believe hope can bring much encouragement as many of us encounter life challenges and struggles. I am looking forward to working with the Catholic Family Support Services team and alongside whānau to support them in moving towards their goals and aspirations. |
