The RPA Board

Moera Brown – Board Chair

Kia ora koutou
Ngā mihi mahana i tenei wā.
Ko Moera Brown ahau nō Te Tairāwhiti.
Ko Rongowhakaata me Ngāi tāmanuhiri me te Aitanga a Mahaki ōku iwi.
 
I am a restorative justice facilitator currently working with Ngāti Porou Rūnanga. I have been in this role for several years and I come from a policing background. I have a passion for this alternative option in the justice sector. I am particularly interested in how families can be healed through this process and how victims can he heard in a better way.

Jacques Puriri-Kaitapu – Board Member

Ko Tākitimu te Waka
Ko Ruawharo te Tohunga
Ko Tamatea Ariki te Kaihautū
Ko Kahurānaki nō Te Pūtiki te Maunga
Ko Ngaruroro nō Te Māhea te Awa
Ko Te Awa o Te Atua te Puna Wai Tāpu
Ko Ngāti Poporo nō Te Rākātoā te Hapū
Te Ngāi Te Whatuiapiti te Iwi Tata
Ko Ngāti Kahungunu nō Tongomaiwahine te iwi Whānui
Ko Arama Puriri raua ko Islet Greening ōku matua
Ko Emeka raua ko Truth raua ko Tawhiao ōku tamariki
Ko Jacqueline 'Jacques' Puriri-Kaitapu āhau

Jacques brings 16 years of public service experience working for Te Puni Kōkiri Tāmaki Makaurau with whānau, hapū, iwi, and Māori within the Auckland region and a strong supporter of the Kōhanga Reo movement. She was introduced to restorative justice in 2006 through 'Crossing Bridges Ngā Whare Waatea Marae' and has been actively involved in Restorative Justice since. She currently coordinates Te Whānau Āwhina Marae Restorative Justice Programme/Te Pae Oranga (Iwi Community Panels) and facilitates Restorative Justice conferences and panels.

Jacques is a registered Māori Caucus member and is on a journey of learning Te Reo me ōna Tikanga Māori with the support of Hoani Waititi Marae and her whānau. She encourages community practices that unite communities to support ngā whānau katoa. Jacques is committed to strengthening Kaupapa Māori practices within Restorative Justice Practice and building better restorative justice practices across Aotearoa. Her whānau principles and work ethic are underpinned by values of whānaungatanga, manākitanga, tautokotanga and rangatiratanga. 

'He Iti, He Pounamu' - Though small, it is as solid as the greenstone.

Deena Coster – Board Member

Kia ora, ko Deena Coster tōku ingoa, nō Taranaki au.

My name is Deena Coster and I live in Taranaki with my whānau. I work for the Taranaki Restorative Justice Trust as a facilitator, a role I returned to recently after a previous stint as the trust coordinator and facilitator several years ago. I have a background in social work and the media and most of my professional career has revolved around hearing and sharing people's stories. I have great communication and problem-solving skills and like to work within teams that are striving towards supporting shared kaupapa. I see restorative justice, and the healing it can contribute towards, as a taonga within our justice system and beyond, and one we should strive to promote and protect. During my board term, I hope to achieve gains that benefit the practice of restorative justice and contribute to the growth of its place in our communities.

Julia Hennessey – Board Member

Julia is the General Manager for Family Works Central. Julia is a qualified social worker and has worked in the community and Government sector. Julia has practised in the area of Child protection, whānau support and Restorative Justice. Julia is also the Deputy Chair of the Resolution Institute.

Taylor Hill – Board Member

Kia ora Koutou,
Ko Tākatimu te waka
Ko Motu Pōhue te maunga
Ko Ngāi Tahu mea Te Whakatōhea mea Ngāti Ruanui ōku iwi
Ko Karia Pera mea Ngaire Hanning tōku tīpuna
Ko Darryl Hill tōku pāpā
Ko Joanne Pera tōku māmā
Ko Taylor Hill tāku ingoa

I am from Bluff NZ, however I have Māori, Portuguese, Spanish, Scottish and English whakapapa. I was raised majority of my childhood in Australia and came from Brisbane to Bluff at age 13. I work very hard, I have been an oyster opener, whānau ora navigator, truck driver, security guard, cook, labourer, and worked in customer service, plus many more. I have studied social services, whānau ora, and recently graduated a Bachelor of Commerce. I have had many experiences and met many people, I love it. I am the Southland Coordinator of the Iwi Community Panel & a Restorative Justice Facilitator. I have compassion to work with those who are vulnerable. I love working in a place of restoration.

“If a fish was judged on its ability to climb a tree, it would spend its whole life believing it is dumb.”
We all have strengths and it’s about utilising them.

Mike Hinton – General Manager

Mike Hinton’s career journey has been wide and varied. It began with a 20 years of service in the Army where he was involved in training and development. He also served overseas in both instructor and leadership positions. From there he moved on to work for a brief stint in the Pacific islands before returning to work in Auckland for the Manukau Urban Maori Authority (MUMA).  During his time at MUMA he was involved in many roles including: operations manager at Nga Whare Waaatea Marae, and funeral directing. On top of this he was instrumental in the implementation of Restorative Justice Services. In 2012 after 15 years of working with MUMA Mike moved onto his current role as the General Manager for Restorative Practices Aotearoa. Mike is passionate about Restorative Justice and the work he does in the community. 

Imogen Laws – Office Manager

Kia ora koutou, My name is Imogen Laws and I am the Office Manager for Restorative Practices Aotearoa. I have only begun to be exposed to the world of Restorative Practices during my tenure as office manager. My personal expertise is as an Accountant. I am very much enjoying the diversity that the role brings and I look forward to continuing to help and assist you with a smile.

Maia Armistead – Social Media and Communications Officer

Kia ora koutou, my name is Maia Armistead and I’m the Social Media and Communications Officer here at RPA. I was born and raised in Hamilton and am now a student at Victoria University studying Law and Politics. .

Esther Gedye-Taylor – Project Assistant

Kia ora! My name is Esther. I’ve been at Restorative Practices Aotearoa since March 2021. I grew up in Te Whanganui-a-Tara and have lived here my whole life. I finished my Honours in Criminology in 2021, at Victoria University, and spend most of my time working as Kairuruku Paremata Whakahaumanu, restorative justice court coordinator, at Community Law Wellington and Hutt Valley.