Advisory Group Membership

Background information about the Advisory Group members.

There are eight positions:

• six community representatives nominated by community organisations

and one nominee each from 

• Te Atamira Taiwhenua (DIA advisory group for Maori), and
• Pacific Island Consultant and Advisory Group (DIA advisory group for Pacific Island peoples).

The Department of Internal Affairs Operations team provide the Advisory Group with secretarial and operational support.

 

David Henderson - Wellington

Dave has over 30 years experience in leadership roles in community and voluntary sector organisations, both as staff and in governance roles. Currently working as the ANGOA coordinator, he has been CEO of the Disabled Persons Assembly, Vice President of the NZ Federation of Voluntary Welfare Organisations and is also currently active in leading roles in several other community organisations. 

Dave has seen the life-changing opportunities that access to electronic information can bring to people in community and voluntary organisations. He sees CommunityNet as a significant resource to help people and organisations benefit from the advantages that electronic communications and information offer. He is keen to contribute from his experience and perspective to the strategic direction of CommunityNet.

 

Julia Stuart - Wellington

Julia has wide experience of working in and writing on community organisations gained over the years, from early childhood to church social service networks. She has recently retired from CASI (Churches' Agency on Social Issues), and looks after the accounts for two community groups. 

She has a huge amount of experience as a journalist, writer, researcher, media liaison worker and editor, starting with radio and television, then moving to books, specialist and mainstream papers and magazines, videos and currently the Internet.

The many articles and journals she has written for or edited cover subjects ranging from early childhood education to hospice, including current affairs, health, church matters, citizen's advice, safety, and community use of IT and the Internet.

She brings an increasing awareness of the demands on community groups, and the extensive and growing information needs they have, and a realistic view of their e-capabilities.

 

Moana Tane -Dargaville

Moana Tane is of Te Roroa, Ngati Korokoro (Nga Puhi) and Ngati Hine descent. Her home is at Waikara, north of Manganui bluff, south of Waipoua forest.

As a person from Tai Tokerau she sees her responsibility as one of both receiving and disseminating information throughout the community groups in the north. 

This is a challenge but one which is manageable within an electronic environment where distance is no barrier.

Moana is passionate about IT and its possibilities, especially the opportunities for learning that IT can provide. As a former school teacher, she has worked alongside minority children in 3 countries, and has seen both the frequent lack of access to IT, and also the increased confidence and academic achievement of students when IT is used appropriately as part of an interesting and varied classroom programme.

Moana has worked with a number of community organisations including marae committees, development groups and adult literacy assistance, is skilled in ICT and multimedia, and has also worked as an ICT advisor and coordinator, researcher, and photo journalist. She is currently participating in the Kaipara Leadership Programme, and a member of Te Ropu Whakahau no Te Taitokerau (Maori Librarian's Network in Northland), Kaipara Leadership Community Development group and Regional Smokefree Coordinator/Facilitator for Northland and Auckland District Health Boards.

 

Peter Sykes - Mangere

Greetings. I call myself a 'community development' advocate supporting groups working from the flaxroots. Although I've been in Auckland for 20+ years, my roots are in the Wairarapa. I am married to an absolutely fantastic wife and we have 3 wonderfully talented teenagers.

I have been a community worker for over 20 years through youth, church and community action. Currently I am Director of the Mangere East Family Service Centre in Mangere East, Manukau City. I also assist with a number of community, sports and church groups with management and structures.

My commitment to Community Net is in its access to groups struggling for resources and support. I oversee our Centre's website www.mangereeastfsc.org.nz [when I have time] and am supporting the development of our urban community website www.mangereeast.net.nz.

 

Eru Thompson – Manurewa

Eru Thompson is of Te Kawerau a Maki, Ngati Mahanga, Te Ahiwaru, Ngati Te Ata and Te Waiohua decent.

Eru's diverse background spreads across several disciplines; he is a recognised expert in Maori issues and actively supports many organisations within the Auckland region as a Cultural Advisor and a Tainui Kaumatua.

He has been pivotal in the ongoing development of Manukau City’s cultural environment and continues to support his community as one of the key leaders in the Auckland region.

He is an active board member of the Mana Whenua tribes, Cultural Advisor, and Kaumatua to Te Kawerau a Maki and Te Waiohua, of the Tainui waka. He also holds many community leadership roles in organisations in the Counties-Manukau region. He is Chairman of the Manukau Institute of Technology's Runanga Advisory board, Trustee and the current Chairman of the Manurewa marae, has a tribal role on the Manawhenua Health Board, member of a board of trustees of Family Start Manukau, and is a member of the national Te Atamira Taiwhenua's Kaumatua board of the Department of Internal Affairs, providing advice to the department.

Eru has a pragmatic attitude to the mana of the Treaty of Waitangi and how it evolved, committing him and his people to the total delivery of its contents. He works to promote the Treaty of Waitangi not only because of its principles, but because he believes Maori have been true to its kaupapa, and that Aotearoa needs to be a global leader when it comes to indigenous peoples’ rights.

 

Previous Advisory Group members

These members also contributed to the strategic development of CommunityNet Aotearoa until reaching the end of their term or leaving the Department.

• Karaitiana Taiuru;  Christchurch - 2007
• Puipuifatu Antonio William Seiuli; Pacific Island Consultant and Advisory Group - 2005-2007
• Kaeti Rigarlsford – Wellington - 2002-2007
• Ruth Gardner – Christchurch - 2002-2007
• Rakiihia Tau – Tuahiwi - 2002-2007
• Bill Dashfield – DIA- 2003-2007
• Georgina Johnson - Tokomaru Bay - 2002-2005
• Ross Bell - Wellington - 2002-2005
• Stephen Blyth - DIA - 2002-2004
• Vaine Hosking - Dunedin 2002-2004