Strengthening neighbourhoods, connecting communities
Meet The Team
Helen
Manager
A born and bred Nelsonian, Helen has worked in the Health sector and more latterly the Community sector over the last 30 years. She is very keen to continue strengthening neighbourhoods across Te tau ihu and building networks to ensure our communities are more resilient and connected. Having been a long term Trustee of Age Concern Nelson Tasman and also a Board member of Brain Injury Nelson, she has insight into the specific needs of older people in our region and those with different abilities. Helen has worked with many diverse cultures that now call Te tau ihu home and she is keen for younger members of our community to have a voice and be active participants in shaping our communities.
Nathan
Marlborough Area Coordinator
Nathan knows how important it is for people to feel that they belong in their community. His successful career in NZ & Australia in hospitality, events and retail management was built on a foundation of being able to make people feel welcome and listened to. This is something he has brought to his voluntary roles as a founding member of Youthline Wairau, as an LGBTQI+ facilitator at Marlborough Youth Trust and on the board of Volunteer Marlborough. Nathan has lived in Christchurch and Melbourne, but calls Blenheim home. He works as the Marlborough Coordinator-Manager for Citizens Advice Bureau, while also studying politics and international relations full time through Massey University.
Aniquah
Nelson & Waimea
Area Coordinator
Passionate about people & the environments they live in, you may recognise Aniquah from one of the many Nelson groups that she belongs to. Originally from South Africa, she lived in Australia before finding her place in Atawhai. She helps people to celebrate the beauty & potential in the abundant region we live in. She's also worked closely with Multicultural Nelson Tasman celebrating diversity and cultural connections. She's our expert on the Gets Ready tool , a great online facilitator and has supported many locals to deliver successful events and projects.
Chris
Motueka & Districts Area Coordinator
Tēnā koutou e te whānau. My name is Chris Herrick and I am the Area Connector for Motueka Districts Neighbourhood Support, which is part of Top of the South Neighbourhood Support. I am based in Motueka with office space in the Motueka Community House. My position is part time and for 15 hours per week. I work on a Tuesday and Wednesday. My background is in Education for 40 plus years, having just retired as the principal of a primary school in Stoke. I have worked in various parts of the country as a primary school teacher, a YMCA recreation officer, in management in the hospitality industry, and more lately a primary school principal. I have lived in Motueka for 12 years, commuting to Stoke daily until my retirement in 2021. I have two young adult sons, one of whom lives in Motueka while the other is in Christchurch. I am a single parent of the family dog! I am also involved in the Nelson Tasman Community Transport Trust as a Trust Board member and a volunteer driver of the Coastal Bus. I am also a volunteer patroller with the Motueka Community Patrol. Needless to say, I have a passion for Education and in particular the needs and aspirations of students with divergent learning needs. I also know that ‘attendance matters’ and I recognise this as a challenge for some families and whanau. I understand the importance of belonging to a family/whanau structure and to be connected to a safe and resilient community/neighbourhood. I was a volunteer with the Motueka Districts Neighbourhood Support prior to its amalgamation with Top of the South Neighbourhood Support. I am looking forward to working within the Motueka community, supporting the mahi of Neighbourhood Support in the district and engaging with the needs of individuals and groups. I always try to be ‘solution focused’ and look at each challenge as an opportunity. I look forward to meeting YOU.
Gavin joined the Top of the South Neighbourhood Support team at the beginning of June 2022 building on his community involvement as a community representative on the Tapawera & Districts Community Council and with Tapawera Connect. His approach is collaborative and sees his Neighbourhood Support role as working alongside others active in the Tapawera community, filling gaps and helping people to be more connected as the community works together towards its vision of being caring and resilient. Gavin is passionate about community connectedness and resilience and this led initially to his involvement with Tapawera Connect. Over the past two years he has been part of Tapawera’s ultimately successful bid to become a partner on the Department of Internal Affairs’ Community-Led Development Programme. He is currently a member of Tapawera Connect’s Community-Led Development team responsible for facilitating the programme in Tapawera and surrounding valleys. He and his wife Jenni moved to Tui in rural Tasman from Hawkes Bay just before the first Covid lockdown in 2020. In their “retirement” they have been working hard developing a 4.8ha property of run-down pasture into a place that aims to be productive, resilient and sustainable. They are longtime keen cyclists who enjoy exploring around Tui and Tapawera and further afield in Tasman. One of his local Neighbourhood Support initiatives has been setting up a community cycling group.