Our Board
Alastair Duhs
Board Chairperson
Alastair Duhs is a counsellor in private practice who has worked in Stopping Violence programmes since 1992.
Alastair has previously been the Men’s Programme Manager, Clinical Manager and Manager of RESPECT, as well as working in a number of other community and non-profit agencies.
Alastair has been a member of RESPECT since 1998 and a member of NZAC since 2000. He remains committed to working with men, women and children to promote safe, respectful and non-violent relationships.
Ruby Manukia-Schaumkel
Board Member
Ruby is a Board Member of Tongan descent.
She has an extensive career in law and policy in New Zealand and abroad. She worked in the United States representing clients in international trade law and foreign policy before returning to New Zealand. Ruby developed an interest in politics and public service while living in Washington, DC experiencing first hand the responsibilities of the senate and house on Capitol Hill.
Ruby is a former elected member of Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ), serving a term on the Whau Local Board, where she helped progress a wide range of local initiatives and contributed to region-wide plans and policies. Ruby helped take the unique Auckland governance model to its next stage and played a part in progressing Auckland to be the world’s most liveable city. Ruby was involved in the 2015-2025 Long Term Plan, three Annual Plans and the Unitary Plan.
Ruby has strong board governance experience serving and advising on local boards, including the Methodist Church of New Zealand. Ruby has a BA, LLB, LL.M (honors) from the United States, and is a candidate in the PhD program in health law.
In her spare time, Ruby enjoys spending time with her family, supporting sports activities, promoting health, reading and writing adult non-fiction books.
Rowena Manning
Board Member
Rowena Manning is a registered psychotherapist and counsellor who has been counselling and facilitating groups at RESPECT for the past twenty years.
Rowena is a previous Manager of New Zealand Institute of Professional Counselling and has worked for five years at Massey University, Albany Campus, on the Human Ethics Committee. Rowena currently works for BlindlowvisionNZ as a Counsellor and Child and Family Support worker. She also has a private Clinical Supervision practice.
Rowena is passionate about helping people live a life free from violence and abuse. Healthy relationships, excellent ethical practice, accountability, integrity and good governance are important to Rowena.
Our Staff
Sione Tesimale
General Manager
Sione has 20 years’ experience in the social services sector as a registered counsellor and programme facilitator.
He is of Tongan/Samoan descent and born and raised in New Zealand. He is passionate about making New Zealand violent free place by working with men to be the finest partners, husband and Father to their family. He is also driven to provide an effective service that caters to woman, children and family needs to have safe, healthy and happy relationships.
In his spare time, Sione enjoys watching sport, listening to music and most importantly spending quality time with his children.
Bridget Gundy
Bridget believes that no matter what the family situation, finding someone to talk to can make a world of difference.
An experienced counsellor, Bridget helps people who have experienced or are experiencing family violence and it’s complexities.
Phil Adams
Ko Te Aupōuri ko Te Ātiawa ko Ngāti Tama nga iwi.
Ko Phil Adams ahau
As one of the team working as a Group Facilitator for the Men’s group, for me working with RESPECT is a chance to help other men to shape their lives into positive and affirmative experiences for themselves and others. I’m also a facilitator of Restorative Justice conferences, this is a victim centred process with the focus in this space on creating a safe environment for dialogue between those involved and the opportunity to identify ways to restore the balance.
I’m also the proud father of four children, two granchildren and uncle to a tribe of nephews and neices.
Shona Lamont
Child and Family Manager
Shona has worked in the health sector for 20 years, she is a qualified Personal Trainer, natural practitioner, yoga therapist, counsellor and facilitator.
Shona has been working with RESPECT for over 5 years she is currently the Child and family manager, counsellor, facilitator and on the staff management team.
Shona is dedicated to the overall wellbeing of our communities and whanau.
Lynda Coombe
Administrator
Lynda is the administrator for RESPECT.
She comes from a background of administration having worked for small businesses in the recruitment, architecture and customer service fields.
Outside of work she enjoys being creative in the form of painting and art journaling. She also enjoys walking and travelling.
Our Contractors
We use a team of qualified counsellors and facilitators to deliver our group and individual programmes. All our counsellors and facilitators are highly trained in the dynamics of domestic violence and very experienced in group and 1:1 work.
Michael Cooney
Men's Programme Manager
Michael Cooney is a Psychosynthesis counsellor with over 20 years experience working with men in Stopping Violence programmes. He has also worked in the alcohol and drug field as a
counsellor.
For the last 21 years Michael has worked at RESPECT. In this time he has facilitated men’s groups, been a member of the Staff Management Team and has had governance experience.
He conducts intake interviews and 1:1 programmes and currently works in the men’s programme manager role.
Outside of work Michael is a keen golfer and a grandfather to two children.
Jamie Loh
Adult, Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist
What do I like most about my job?
-The privilege to be part of the magic of healing
-Amazing support, care and appreciation from the Team
-Huge scope to continue to grow and improve in my role
What’s my life like outside of work?
-Connecting with love ones
-Playing guitar in a Funk/Soul band
-Surfing and building guitars with mates
Who/what inspires me?
-Being completely connected to my intuition
-Floating in water
-Music
Scott Nisbet
Scott has worked for RESPECT for the last 20 years running men’s groups as well as assessing men for the groups and
running one on one individual sessions.
Also had the privilege of working with children of all ages that are victims of domestic violence.
I believe in change starts with talking about real issues like family violence as well as becoming aware of
own selfs actions and effects on others when we act out in abusive ways.
Doing the group myself 22 years ago I’ve been at the coal face myself and have worked through change
which I’m passionate about passing on to other men.
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Help us help children and families affected by domestic violence.