Trust Board
Craig Braun (Chair) has been working in the Hutt Valley for many years. He was Youth Worker for the Upper Hutt Baptist Church until 2000, and more recently a Social Worker for the Upper Hutt Office of the Department of Child, Youth & Family Services. Craig now shares his vast skills as a funeral director in the Hutt Valley. Craig convenes the Employment Group for the Service.
Rachael Umaga (Trustee) is a long time resident of Wainuiomata. Rachael has until recently been employed with Friends Who Care Inc, a support service for people with mental illness. Rachael has a background in the Public Service, formally with the Ministry of Economic Development- Insolvency and Trustee Service. Rachael is a mother of 4 school aged children and her interests include family, reading, gardening and having fun with friends.
Maree Tukukino (Cultural Advisor) has a long history of supporting the HVYHS. Maree was a Trustee for a number of years also acting as Chair. Maree has a strong association with Orongomai Marae and is currently tutoring in social services at Te Wananga o Aotearoa.
Steve Watson (Trustee) is employed as the area manager for Relationship Services in the lower north island. Steve lives in Silverstream with his wife and children. Steve wanted to be involved with Vibe because he has an interest in youth welfare and would like to put something back into the Hutt Valley community which he and his family have served and been supported by on and off for the last 25 years.
Steve spent 20 years from 1983 to 2003 as a sworn member of the New Zealand Police, working in both Lower and Upper Hutt. When he left he was the Upper Hutt Community Services manager. During his time with the Police Steve’s role was primarily working on youth issues and he contributed to various community organisations such as the Safer Community Council, Upper Hutt Truancy service and the Timberlea youth worker project.
Michael McKay (Youth Trustee) is currently studying for an honors degree in law and accounting at Victoria University. Michael has a passion for community work and human rights, he volunteers at the Wellington Community Law Centre, helping develop policy. This interest in helping the community is also demonstrated by a strong commitment to improving academic performance at Victoria University. For the past three years, Michael has mentored Maori and Pacific Islanders in Commerce. Last year, this developed into tutoring first year accounting students.
Katrina Thomas (Youth Trustee) is 19 years old and has lived in Upper Hutt all her life. At secondary school Katrina was the Wellington Youth Council representative for 3 years as well as being the school rep on the Ministry of Youth Affairs. During her college years Katrina attended and helped organise 3 years of the Edge Leadership and also undertook a lot of leadership training and was very involved with the Board of Trustees. Since attending University Katrina's focus has been driven more towards health and the delivery of healthcare. Katrina has been a caregiver involved in aged care for 4 years, 2 years at Benhaven Resthome, and 2 years at Summerset Retirement Village working in the hospital.
As an Upper Hutt citizen Katrina is truly passionate about the health and well being of Upper Hutt youth and throughout her nursing studies the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi have been enforced as imperative to the understanding and provision of health and healthcare and how through protection, participation and partnership people can work together to decrease the massive health inequalities within New Zealand.