HANGA-ARO-RAU - Key Persons
Alisha Tsai has more than seven years of ELT support experience in the vocational education sector and ten years as an executive assistant in both the public and private sectors before that. Prior to her current role at Hanga-Aro-Rau, Ms Tsai was an Executive Assistant at Unitec Institute of Technology and the Committee Secretary of its Rūnanga Māori Advisory Committee.
Ms Tsai was brought up in a family with a strong education background; she is passionate about working in an organisation that is here to drive transformational change in vocational education for future generations.
Job Titles:
- Senior Pathways Team Lead
With over 20 years' experience as a career practitioner, Astrid van Holten has worked across the spectrum of the career industry, from individual clients through to implementing strategy. She enjoyed working with schools, supporting career education programmes and the professional development of careers and transitions staff. Her most recent role was with Immigration NZ as a Regional Relationship Manager. Astrid's motivation is a belief that all people should have the opportunity to reach their potential, however that manifests.
In her spare time, she can be found wrangling quite a large garden, hanging out with family or heading to one of the stunning local walks with friends.
Beth Nalter started her working life as a primary school teacher before discovering a passion for careers. She has worked in careers roles in NZ and the UK and has extensive experience as a secondary school careers advisor. Currently completing a PhD in employer engagement in education, Beth has a passion for showing young people the possible industry pathways they could take while at school, to assist in getting them ‘work ready'.
Croydon Smith is one of our Industry Managers, primarily responsible for engagement with our automotive industries and rail transport. He previously served as an Industry Training Advisor for MITO in the Taranaki/Whanganui regions, where he played a pivotal role working to support automotive engineering apprentices to successfully complete their apprenticeships. Before that, he honed his skills as a heavy diesel mechanic in a busy truck and trailer workshop.
Beyond his professional life, Croydon enjoys experimenting with AI and reading a variety of books. He cherishes quality time with his wonderful wife and energetic, cheeky, young daughters.
Darrell Lambert (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Whātua, Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Ruapani and Ngāti Kahungunu) has 25 years of experience in the tertiary education sector across a wide range of functions. He has held a number of senior leadership roles with a strong focus on working with hapū, iwi and industry to improve outcomes for Māori.
Mr Lambert began his career as a tutor of traditional Māori carving for ten years. Prior to joining Hanga-Aro-Rau, he was the Regional Economic Development Manager for the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) in Te Taitokerau (Northland). In this role, he worked with hapū, iwi, industry, local and central government to stimulate regional economic development that generated employment and improved well-being indicators for Te Taitokerau. Other roles include Director at NorthTec - Te Pūkenga, Regional Director and Regional Academic Manager at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.
Fiona joins Hanga-Aro-Rau after 18 years in the transport sector, most recently managing and developing the Te ara ki tua road to success driver traineeship - a programme designed by industry, for industry, to train and develop new truck drivers. She is looking forward to working with employers in the food and beverage manufacturing industry to ensure the future skills and training needs for their workforce are fit for purpose and accessible to all of those who work in their business.
Her down time is spent enjoying time with family and friends and taking time out to walk along the beautiful Foxton Beach to reflect and recharge by the sea.
Job Titles:
- Poutiaki Whakahiwa - Māori Workforce Development Manager
My name is Flo Samuels. I am a descendant of Te Paatu tribe. I was born and raised in Mangere. I live in South Auckland. I am the Māori Workforce Development Manager for Hanga-Aro-Rau.
Job Titles:
- General Manager Industry Standards
- General Manager Industry Standards / Executive Assistant
Hagen Tautari (Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Wai, Ngāti Kahu o Torongare) has worked in secondary, tertiary and public education roles for the past 30 years. He has held senior and national leadership roles in the sectors of education, building and housing, employment, retirement and treaty engagement. He is also an experienced director/trustee, holding roles with Habitat for Humanity (Central Region), Te Rūnanga o Kirikiriroa, Te Tiratū Iwi Māori Partnership Board and a number of Ahu Whenua Trusts.
Hayley Gray joins us from the Ministry of Social Development. She previously worked as a careers practitioner helping schools incorporate careers more effectively into the curriculum. Prior to that, she lived in the UK working as a careers adviser in schools. Hayley brings career consultancy, transitional knowledge and brokerage skills to her role.
Lyndall has joined Hanga-Aro-Rau from Competenz, where she has enjoyed a variety of roles over the past 9 years including National Manager Traineeships, National Manager Workforce Development, Workforce Development Business Partner, and Customer Account Manager. Prior to this, Lyndall's experience included a business development role for a work-based learning private training establishment, and sales and business development roles within the veterinary and rural farming sectors.
Lyndall is passionate about vocational education and being able to engage with stakeholders at all levels of industry sectors.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive
- Deputy Chief Executive
Phil Alexander-Crawford (Te Whiu, Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Rēhia, Ngāpuhi) is a highly experienced leader of transformation, who has worked with and for iwi and hapū. Mr Alexander-Crawford was previously Director of Te Pae Tawhiti - Māori Equity Partnership at Te Pūkenga. He has held senior leadership positions in the vocational education sector, including Chief Executive of Te Matarau Education Trust, General Manager Education for the Ngāti wai Trust Board and as Director of Development for Tai Tokerau Wānanga (NorthTec).
As an experienced governor he has also chaired a number of charitable trusts and is presently a board member of Whānau Mercy Ministries Trust.
Samantha McNaughton has been involved in the vocational education sector for more than a decade and has held various senior positions at Competenz, MITO and Skills International.
Prior to her current role, Samantha led the strategic industry engagement and learning design and innovation functions, including standard setting, quality assurance, resource development and programme innovation at Competenz. She is acutely aware of the workforce development challenges facing New Zealand and is particularly passionate about ensuring all people have clear and accessible educational pathways that support sustainable employment and prosperity.
Job Titles:
- Communications and Marketing Manager
Job Titles:
- Leader
- General Manager Improvement and Operations
- General Manager Improvement and Operations / General Manager Industry Standards
Yvonne O'Callaghan is an experienced leader in vocational education with a proven track record in developing staff, ensuring academic integrity, and delivering training, process improvement and change management. Prior to her current role, Ms O'Callaghan managed the Quality Support team at Competenz for five years and was involved in preparing for the transition to the Workforce Development Councils.
Ms O'Callaghan has a strong background in a broad range of industries, including ten years of training experience which saw her write and deliver learning modules. Her passion is ensuring all New Zealanders are given the opportunity to pursue higher education and obtain a qualification they can be proud of.