Our Board
Alastair Duhs
Board Chairperson
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 Manukia-Schaumkel is a Lawyer, qualified Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand.
Ruby has over 19 years of experience in Governance, Law & Policy and Foreign Relations in New Zealand, Tonga and the United States of America. She is as former elected member of Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) and is currently studying towards her PhD in Law.
Ruby sits of various boards and contributes to the community. She was awarded a New Zealander of the Year Local Hero Award for community involvement in 2014. Ruby’s interests are in sports, writing (Author of ‘Like a Dove’ book/publication) and enjoy spending time with her family.
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 The Blind Foundation as a counsellor and Child and Family Social Worker and has a private 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 fathers 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
Women's Programme Manager
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
Men's Programme Manager
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
Children's Programme 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.
Jaime Loh
Counsellor, Group Facilitator
Adult, Child and AdolescentPsychotherapist
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
Group Facilitator
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.
Michael Cooney
Group Facilitator
Michael Cooney is a Psychosynthesis counsellor with many 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 15 years Michael has worked at Respect. In this time he has facilitated men’s groups, conducted intake interviews and 1:1 programmes and worked in the men’s programme manager role.
Outside of work Michael is a keen golfer and a grandfather to two children.
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