Our Management and Office Team

Empowerment Trust also benefits from the foundational knowledge and ongoing support of Kidpower International which has served millions of people worldwide since 1989.

We contract facilitators to deliver our programmes across New Zealand, each one a vetted and valuable member of our team. If you have questions about the rest of the team, please contact us. If you are passionate about helping New Zealanders live in confidence and safety and would like to become a member of the team, fill out the form below.

 

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"I thoroughly enjoy making a positive, real, lasting difference to so many people."

 

 

 

Kathy Garrett

"I love educating people to empower themselves to keep safe, speak up and be confident in who they are. My role now allows me to build relationships with other organizations, to help them do the same!"

 

 

 

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“I absolutely love seeing communities embed Kidpower skills and language into their methods of communication. It gives families so much more confidence and ability to navigate challenging situations.”

 

 

 

Marie Jones Profile Picture

"I feel privileged to work alongside our team and the wider community, building connections and empowering people of all ages to develop the skills they need to be safe and have healthy relationships."

 

 

 

Deb McConochie Profile Picture

"Helping source financial support, to ensure cost is not a barrier to participation in this invaluable safety first training, is what drives me."

 

 

 

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"I am excited to be a part of a team who help empower our young people with necessary life skills to take charge of their futures."

 

 

 

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"I'm grateful to be fostering relationships and working with progressive organisations to positively impact and broaden personal and professional safety skills for greater societal outcomes."

 

 

 

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"It is a privilege to share my knowledge of Te Reo and Tikanga Māori with our team of te reo and tikanga Māori with our team of passionate and caring people.

 

 

 

Our Board of Trustees

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Nicola has been a member of the Empowerment Trust Board since February 2019.
During this time it has been a highlight to participate in a showcase of the important programs delivered by the Trust, from Kidpower to Mates and Dates.
With a postgraduate diploma in Science and a Masters of Business Administration, Nicola has held a variety of senior leadership roles encompassing finance, project management,  procurement, property and operations with a strong focus on process improvement.
Outside of work Nicola enjoys cooking, cake decorating, Egyptian history and catching up with family and friends.
Nicola is based in Auckland with her husband and two young children.

 

 

 

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Paige joined the board in March 2022. 

Based in Rolleston, she is in her fourth year of a LLB and BCom double degree at the University of Canterbury, where she will graduate at the end of 2023. Outside of her studies, Paige holds various roles on boards and community organisations across a range of sectors. She is a member of the Institute of Directors, and is passionate about good governance and bringing youth voice to the decision making table. 

Paige is a proud Rotarian, and will become one of the world's youngest Rotary Presidents in June 2022, taking the reins of the South Island’s biggest Rotary Club. 

In the weekends, you will either find her out volunteering with a community group, swimming at the beach, spending time with friends and family, working on her luxury beauty startup venture or up on a mountain learning how to snowboard.

 

 

 

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Arend has been a member of  the board since March 2022.

He is a New Zealand trained surgeon with governance and senior health leadership experience, a member of the institute of directors and a strong advocate for equity, sustainability, diversity and inclusivity.

Out of work Arend can generally be found outdoors with his family  and is a keen back country cyclist, tramper and skier.

 

 

 

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Fiona has been a member of the board since 2019. She started with the organisation in 2009, was Centre Director from 2010 and Executive Director from 2016.
She is originally from Auckland but moved to Tasman in 2005 with her husband and two children. She has a background in industrial science and has owned a number of small businesses with her husband. She has been involved with working with youth at risk since 2000.
She is active in the local community having been involved in her childrens sports clubs, youth group board and is the volunteer Deputy Chief Fire Officer with Upper Moutere Brigade. She also combines this role with that of secretary and training coordinator for the brigade.
She enjoys living rurally, spending time with her family (both there and in Auckland), reading and sports.

 

 

 

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Martha jane has been a member of the board since August 2020.
She is a learning and development professional, currently working at PwC.
When I am not at work, you will either find me ‘ubering’ my 2 boys (aged 6 and 9) to their various sporting commitments, or decorating the school hall for another PTA fundraiser.
When I do get some time to myself,  I enjoy running with my chocolate Labrador around the local beaches in West Auckland.

 

 

 

Picture of Nicola Purvis

Nicola joined the board in March 2022.

She is a lawyer with public, commercial and employment law expertise, currently working in the Public Service.

Nicola comes from Waihi and now lives in Wellington with her husband and two of her three teenagers.  When she’s not spending time with family and friends, she enjoys encouraging her back section to return to native bush.

 

 

 

 

 

Join Our Team

Thank you for your interest in joining Empowerment Trust and working with us to achieve our mission of building a safer NZ with positive strategies to stop violence.

We can offer opportunities as trustees, volunteers, programme facilitators and are happy to discuss any other ways you would like to support our organisation.

We are the New Zealand Center of Kidpower Teenpower Fullpower International, a nonprofit organisation that has served millions of people in 40 different countries on 6 continents since 1989.  Kidpower International provides the best training in the world for teaching prevention of bullying, abuse, and violence, stranger awareness, and positive relationship skills.

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