Our Team

Jessica Gamble

Operations Manager

The Operations Manager is responsible for the day to day running of Takitimu House and to effectively lead our team towards excellence in service provision.

Our team is dedicated to transforming the lives of 'hard to reach' men. The Operations Manager has a focus on team well-being both at work and at home. A highly functional team is a happy team, a well team, a team who are their best selves at work and in their personal lives.

Position Status: Currently vacant.

Social Worker

Our full-time Social Worker plays a vital role in supporting our tāne through comprehensive assessment, goal planning, referrals, and coordination of both internal and external programs. Guided by our client-centred philosophy, our Social Worker ensures that every aspect of engagement upholds respect, empowerment, and genuine care.

No stone is left unturned in helping our men realise their potential, with self-determination remaining at the heart of everything we do. Being well-connected within the community, our Social Worker skilfully navigates systems and criteria to ensure each individual receives the best possible support to meet their needs.

Odile Sagardoy

Support Worker

Ensuring the immediate needs of each person is attended to when entering into our service, we call this 'rolling out the red carpet'. The support worker's role is to walk alongside each Tane from entry into Takitimu House to a point of transition with safety, sustainability, independence and wellbeing a priority.

Practical support is vital to ensure our men are set up to succeed and barriers are removed. Empowering our people to be well positioned in our society.

Kaitiaki and Overnight Supervisors:

Our Kaitiaki and Overnight Supervisors work together to ensure Takitimu House remains a warm, welcoming, and harmonious environment at all times. Every person who arrives is greeted with a friendly smile and guided through the essentials — including health and safety and evacuation procedures.

Available 24/7, our team provides consistent support, ensuring the whare is safe, secure, and well cared for. They are compassionate, non-judgmental, and always ready to help, maintaining a calm and respectful atmosphere day and night.

Through ongoing training, our Kaitiaki and Supervisors are well-equipped to respond effectively in times of crisis, illness, or emergency — ensuring the wellbeing of everyone within our whare.

Ralph Wesling

Kaitiaki / Supervisor

John Pine

Overnight Supervisor

Sandor Biczo

Kaitiaki / Supervisor

Gaylene Mihaere

Kaitiaki / Supervisor