Graeme Dingle Foundation Auckland

Kiwi Can Manager
Debbie McLarin
Email: debbie.mclarin@dinglefoundation.org.nz
Phone: 022 163 4556

Kiwi Can Area Coordinators
Central/East/South: Valarie Fasavalu (on maternity leave until April 2025, contact Debbie)
Email: valarie.fasavalu@dinglefoundation.org.nz
Schools: Koru, Glen Innes, Glenbrae, Finlayson Park, Manurewa West, Waimahia Intermediate

South/Far South: Freedom Setu
Email: freedom.setu@dinglefoundation.org.nz
Phone: 021 673 122
Schools: Pukekohe North, Te Paina, St Mary’s, Edmund Hillary, Kereru, Clendon Primary, Rowandale Primary

West: Lillian Vea
Email: Lillian.vea@dinglefoundation.org.nz
Phone: 022 0317236
Schools: Kelston Primary, Kelston Intermediate, Pomaria, Birdwood Primary, Don Buck Primary, St Leonards, Glendene

Kiwi Can Leaders
Our Kiwi Can Leaders are the gold that makes the programme shine so brightly in our schools. The Leaders themselves come from similar backgrounds to that of the children they teach, and most come from the communities they work in; they are an integral part of the everyday life of our children.

Secondary School Programme Manager
Tamara Elliot
Email: tamara.elliot@dinglefoundation.org.nz

Secondary School Programme Coordinators
Katherine Pearson, Tomas French, Janelle Collins, Jess Burton, Kelly Watkins (Mentor Recruitment)

Our Programme Coordinators are simply amazing, ensuring that all our secondary school and community programmes excel, by going above and beyond for the young adults in our Stars, Project K, and Career Navigator; offering support and instilling in the student’s self-efficacy and resilience.

Schools: Waitakere College, Rutherford College, Kelston Girls High, Kelston Boys High, Birkenhead College, Glenfield College, Westlake Boys High, One Tree Hill College, Tamaki College, Tangaroa College, Papakura High, Auckland Seventh Day Adventist High, Pukekohe High, Papakura High

Mentor Recruitment enquiries: aucklandmentoring@dinglefoundation.org.nz

Graeme Riley – Chairman

Upon retirement in 2018 Graeme found the time available to contribute back to the community that simply wasn’t possible whilst working full time. Graeme offered his operational and governance experience to Graeme Dingle Foundation having admired their work and objectives as their “charity of choice” at the company where he worked.

In 2019 Graeme became the chair of the Auckland board and has recruited an extremely talented and capable board with a broad balance of skillsets to support the many facets of the business. Together the board been able to apply their experience and focus to ensure the organisation is both sustainable and operating at a high level of excellence. A clear strategic focus with a plan for growth in order to deliver programs to more young people across Auckland are positive outcomes already evidenced in the organisation today.

When not engaged in governance activities Graeme enjoys golf, maintaining the bach and gardens at the beach and spending time with his 3 grandsons.

Janie Loveridge

Janie joined the Auckland Board at the start of 2020 having been a supporter of the Foundation for a number of years and a huge admirer of the Foundation’s approach, programmes and impact. Janie has over 20 years experience of international aid work with a variety of international charities, the UN and local community groups in both remote and urban areas in East and West Africa, South Asia, Papua New Guinea and the South Pacific. Originally from Northern Ireland, Janie started her international development career after graduating from Cambridge University with an MA in History and Sussex University with an MPhil in International Development and is passionate about working with local communities to find ways to remove structural barriers to community income growth and cycles of poverty.

“It’s easy to hand out clothes or shoes to kids who are struggling with the day-to-day necessities and while that provides a welcome short-term fix, it’s bloody hard to reverse low self-esteem, disengagement and a downward spiral of mental health. What I love about the Graeme Dingle Foundation is that it isn’t afraid to tackle a tough issue by looking at the long-term, investing time, care and love into kids and young people through well-designed and researched educational and mentoring programmes that are continually re-evaluated and improved. The kids and young people themselves lead their own journey to self-confidence and being empowered, so they can achieve more than they ever imagined. It is incredibly inspiring to see them follow this journey.”

Janie moved to New Zealand in 2007 and lives in Auckland with her husband Greg and five busy young kids. When not running around after them, Janie enjoys being active outdoors on land and sea and, when time allows, getting remote in the Southern Alps.

Jeanette Paine

Jeanette joined the Graeme Dingle Foundation Auckland board in 2019 looking to give back to her wider community and young people.  She chairs the Fundraising Sub-Committee.  She loves the transformative outcomes of the students who take part in the range of programmes as well as the passion and commitment of the team which supports them.

Jeanette’s background is in leadership roles in marketing, communications and development having worked in both corporate and not for profit organisations across a number of sectors including secondary and tertiary education, arts and entertainment, sport and museums. She has also served as a Trustee of the Stardome Observatory.

Most weekends she can be found on a small lifestyle block north of Matakana where she is learning about native bush regeneration. She has also recently completed a Master in Creative Writing at AUT University and is working on a new novel.

Peter Lamb

Peter Lamb is a Chartered Accountant and is Chair of the Audit Finance and Risk Committee.

Peter recently retired from his corporate career in Consumer Goods, his last position being Chief Financial Officer of Frucor Suntory (Australia and New Zealand) and was with the business for over 20 years.

Peter enjoys learning from the varied skill sets and interests of his fellow board members and contributing to the Foundation which is focused on delivering an empowering education to young people focusing on building self-esteem and personal purpose.

Peter is committed to being physically active and is currently focused on trying to reduce a golf handicap which is stubbornly refusing to cooperate.

 

Mike Hendriksen

Mike is a member of Kiwibank’s executive team. Prior to that, he held legal roles in corporate, government departments, and law firms in New Zealand, London, and Sydney.

Outside of work, Mike has a busy life with his partner Sonya and their three sons. Which involves lot of life admin, taxiing to sports and other activities and occasional coaching duties.

“As someone who grew up out West, the Graeme Dingle Foundation Auckland’s purpose and values really strike a chord. What could be better than helping tamariki and rangatahi build a long-term plan for self-esteem, resilience and well-being? I am also humbled and inspired by the passion and talent of the Foundation’s mahi. I am happy to play a small part in empowering them to do what they do best.”

Sanjay Rama

Sanjay is the principal at Ponsonby Primary and has over 20 years of experience in the education sector.  He has been a principal for 5 years, and his philosophy is to create an environment where children have a sense of belonging. He believes in giving children the opportunity to flourish through an education system where they can succeed emotionally, academically, and socially.

Sanjay is honoured to be part of the Graeme Dingle Foundation Auckland board, which demonstrates exceptional values and provides programmes that help children achieve their ambitions and dreams.

Outside of work, Sanjay enjoys running and playing hockey and is an avid Manchester United supporter.  He has two very active children who keep him very busy, and a wife who is the glue that holds everything together.

Stuart Roberts

Stuart is Deputy Principal at Otahuhu College. He started his teaching career in 1998 and has been at Otahuhu College since 2002. He is an experienced teacher with a passion for Sport, Health and Physical Education. He is skilled in academic mentoring, pastoral care, student engagement, team building and education outside the classroom. Stuart is a keen footballer and when at home has a busy schedule balancing and participating in the active and full lives of his wife and four children. “It is a privilege to be part of the Graeme Dingle Foundation. Through my work in Secondary Schools I have seen first-hand the opportunities and benefits that this organisation can provide rangatahi. I have also seen my nephew develop into an adult that is skilled and confident in his abilities and thriving in his place of work – a real testament to all involved in the Project K programme.