The team changing lives
Our team
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 family violence and very experienced in group and individual work.
Bridget
General 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.
Oscar
Men's Programmes Manager
Oscar is passionate about supporting men in their journey towards personal growth, and the development of positive and healthy relationships within their whanau’s and wider communities.
Oscar strives to address the unique challenges faced by men in Aotearoa by challenging traditional norms that can perpetuate harmful behaviors and limit personal growth.
In addition Oscar has a background in programme development and creation, with experience in both the education and business sectors. Oscar has a degree in Counselling with Auckland University of Technology.
Sandra
Women's Programmes Manager
Warm Pacific Greetings,
“Trauma may happen to you, but it can never define you.” ― Melinda Longtin
My name is Sandra and I am here to meet you where you are. I aim to work in partnership with all Wāhine to make meaning of their experiences and support their process towards healing and wholeness.
Provisional member of NZAC
Dylan
Children's Programmes Manager
Dylan has dedicated his career to working with children who have experienced the affects of violence or harm in their lives, focused on offering a safe environment for all who seek it. Passionate about creating change for our children to grow up in a better tomorrow.
Dylan has a Bachelor of Health Science majoring in Counselling (BHSc).
Matthew
Counsellor/Group Facilitator
Matt is an individual counsellor and group facilitator working with both men and children. He has experience working as a psychotherapist with men and primary school aged children providing unique and individualised therapeutic interventions.
Matt believes everyone has the capacity to make meaningful change in their life when given the right support. He uses a trauma informed lens to compassionately understand how the things people have been through in their lives molds them into the person they are today and how they can move toward a more fulfilling life.
Keryn
Group Facilitator/Funding Coordinator
Keryn is a group facilitator for Respect’s Strengthening Women’s programme, and loves supporting & equipping women to process, heal, and move towards a place of wellbeing and wholeness.
Keryn is also our funding coordinator, bringing in funding to resource the organisation so we can keep helping people who have been impacted by family violence.
Sione
Counsellor/Group Facilitator
Sione has 15 years experience in the family violence sector working with men.
He is passionate about making New Zealand a violence-free country by working with men to learn strategies for breaking the cycle of abuse and violence.
He is Tongan/Samoan, in his spare time, Sione enjoys watching sport, listening to music and most importantly spending quality time with his family.
He is a full member of NZCCA.
Brittany
Counsellor/Group Facilitator
Brittany works as one of our children’s counsellors and group facilitators. Brittany is a qualified Social Worker whose experience has been strongly focused around children and young people, as they are always at the heart of her practice.
Brittany is very passionate about providing a safe space for her clients, one where they always feel heard and supported. Brittany draws on narrative therapy and works strongly from a strengths focused approach.
Jamie
Counsellor/Group Facilitator
Jamie has been facilitating groups and conducting individual therapy as a counsellor since 2013, has worked with Respect since 2016 and has practiced as a registered Psychotherapist with Psychotherapist Board of Aotearoa New Zealand since 2017. Jamie has a passion for giving men the skills they need to be healthy positive role models for their families, loved ones and the wider community. With a focus on how to create healthy supportive relationships through increased self awareness, accountability and healthy communication skills.
Kerstin
Registered Social Worker
I have been practising as a social worker for over 15 years working in different areas of the social work field including schools, care and protection and residential services.
I work from a strengths-based, solution-focused and trauma-informed approach, I see myself walking alongside whanau facilitating positive change.
Outside of work, I love spending time with my family and being in nature. I enjoy reading, being creative and doing puzzles.
I am a fully registered social worker.
Jenni
Counsellor/Group Facilitator
Jenni has been in the Counselling and Facilitation fields for 30 years.
She began her training with Youthline, Psychodrama and Human Development and Training Institute and has a continued interest in the Impact of Colonization on our Indigenous Communities, Trauma, Neuroscience, Creative therapies and Mindfulness.
Jenni has experience working with children and teenagers; although now works primarily with Adult women, and cofacilitating Men’s and Women’s programs.
She is a full member of NZAC.
Gel
Counsellor/Group Facilitator
Gel works as a group facilitator with the men to address, explore and find alternatives to the client’s problem story, with the intent that men can find other ways of being that allow them (and the people around them) to heal, flourish, and have hope for the future.
Gel is a provisional member of the New Zealand Christian Counselling Association, and a graduate of Laidlaw College’s Bachelor of Counselling.
Karen
Counsellor/Group Facilitator/Advocate
I have been in the health industry for 20 years and have a passion for supporting women, children, and teenagers who are dealing with the effects of abuse and violence. It is the right of all to live lives free of abuse and violence. It is my goal to empower each of my clients and support them as they grow in their journey towards healing. I believe in a holistic approach and integrate Art Therapy, Play Therapy, and other Creative Expressive Interventions.
Karen has a Bachelor’s degree in Counselling and is a member of the NZAC.
Ethel
Counsellor/Group Facilitator
Ethel is a counsellor and group facilitator working with children and women. She enjoys facilitating young children in play therapy and psycho-education programmes.
Ethel is passionate about creating a safe space for women to better understand their life journeys, feel better and more confident, and accomplish their goals.
She speaks Hakka, Mandarin Chinese, and English. She has a passionate interest in working with people from their own cultural perspectives. It is a privilege to help others find their unique ways of developing resilience and fulfilling lives.
Seno
Women's Counsellor
Seno Tu’inukuafe (MNZAC) is a Tongan mother living in North Shore. Born in Tonga, she migrated to NZ in 1986 and has been a counsellor since 2011. Seno holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling from the University of Auckland and recently completed a Master of Psychotherapy degree from Auckland University of Technology.
Seno values diversity and works with any ethnic community on a variety of issues including loss, grief and family violence.
Her hobbies are gardening, reading, crafting, travelling, music, culture and anything relating to spirituality and soul care.
Dean
Couples and Men’s Counsellor
Dean’s current areas of special interest are in trauma, relationships, and Internal Family Systems therapy. He has always tried to assist couples and individuals to become all they could be, and in pursing that goal for himself, started moving into a more formal counselling career.
Dean facilitates a relationship programme for the Drug Court. He is currently in the middle of his Master’s degree in Supervision.
He has lived in several different cultures and loves the diversity that culture brings to music, food, spirituality, and life itself. He has 5 adult children, plays guitar, and is quite obsessed about his poodle.
Dean is a member of NZAC.
Jasmine
Women's/Children's Counsellor
Ko Maunga Tautari te Maunga
Ko Waikato te Awa
Ko Tainui te Waka
Ko Hoturoa te tangata
Ko Raukawa te Iwi
Ko Ngāti Tukorohe te Hapū
Ko Ruapeka te Marae
Ko Rangimarie te Wharenui
Ko Jasmine ahau
Jasmine is passionate about supporting women and children in a holistic sense.
She believes that “you are the expert of your own life” and she is here to nurture and support you.
Jasmine has been in the health field for over 10 years, recently finding purpose in counseling and domestic prevention.
Jasmine has completed two bachelor’s, one in Health Science (counseling) and one in Sport and Recreation.
Regardless of where you are at or where you have been, it all starts with one step”.
Lynda
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 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 General 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 the New Zealand Association of Counsellors since 2000. He remains committed to working with men, women and children to promote safe, respectful and non-violent relationships.
Dr. Ruby Manukia-Schaumkel
Board Member
Dr. 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 has a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
Ruby sits on 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’, and ‘Culture Crossroads’ books/publication) and enjoys 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 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.
Martin Weekes
Board Member
My name is Martin I’m married to Jane and a father of 9 children aged from 28-years-old down to my youngest who is 6. I am an accomplished leader, board advisor, coach and mentor specialising in transformation and change.
I have over 25 years’ management experience as a senior executive working in Europe, New Zealand, Asia, Australia and the Middle East, working alongside multiple cultures and diverse work forces in the commercial, not for profit and governmental sector.
Alongside my commercial career I have been involved with the not-for-profit sector working with and on the boards of several charities. This involvement has supported at risk children, families impacted by domestic abuse, emergency rescue, children’s air ambulance, The Neonatal Trust, education, and sport helping raise over $90 million within New Zealand.
I believe every child deserves the opportunity to live a full and happy life in a positive, stimulating, safe environment and it should be every parent’s wish to see that dream come to fruition. Sadly, that isn’t always the case.
However, with the advances in society today that dream should become a reality for all New Zealanders regardless of financial or technological constraints and with innovative thinking, determination and personal commitment together we can make a huge positive impact for New
Zealand families.
Our supporters
