Vibe Staff

Vibe Youth Transition Team

Ivan Wong Kee (YTS Coordinator) is 30, of Samoan Chinese descent and was born in Hastings. He is married to Julie and has three children: Jonathan (7), Jennifer (3) and Samuel (15 months). Ivan is a trained Chef who worked in that industry for 6 years. Ivan did further study in youth and church ministry. Then he worked in a high school as a Pacific Liaison Officer for 5 years. From there he moved to Waikato to start an employment contracting business. With his extensive experience with young people, he’s enjoying supporting and helping the young people of the Hutt transitioning from school to training, other education and employment.

Kerry Hand (YTS Careers Broker) found out about Vibe when she heard about the new Youth Transition Service planned for the Hutt Valley. After meeting up with Vibe Service Manager, Kerry knew she wanted to be part of the new service! It was the perfect opportunity to use her background and experience helping young people into training and employment. The new role as Careers Broker for YTS is awesome, after 8 years at Hutt Valley High School it was time for a new challenge. Kerry has lived in the Hutt Valley most of her life (and it really shows) and currently lives in Upper Hutt with her two children.

Edwardene Tanaki (YTS Mentor) is a Wainui girl to the core, has a passion to work alongside young people and unravel their dreams within. Edwardene’s family are her foundation along with her cultural connections to both being Maori and Tongan. Edwardene enjoys life and everything it has to offer both good and slightly not so good :-). "Don't ever be a prisoner to bad things cos what can't kill you, can only make you stronger".

Gary Rameka (YTS Mentor) is J'Ville proud!!! Has a passion for Youth development and helping youth achieve their goals from beginning to end.
Gary's Family is his strength, and outside of work loves to spend time with his daughter Aaliyah (5 years), and Partner. Gary comes from a back ground of working with Youth through Work and Income but looks forward to all the challenges Vibe Youth Transitions has to offer :o) "You can turn Painful situations around through laughter. If you can find humour in anything, even poverty, you can survive it".

AJ Picard (YTS Mentor) is Upper Hutt born and bred. He has a passion for youth work and watching young people achieve their dreams. He has previously been a NZ Speed skating Representative and now enjoys mountain biking and his new sport of table tennis. AJ has come from a background in Youth Work working with young people suffering from mental health and drug and alcohol issues and transitioning them into work or training. If you're bored with life and don't get up every morning with a burning desire to do things, you don't have enough goals.

Briany Howes (YTS Mentor) has been working for Vibe since 2001. She started off as a Peer Support Worker and moved into the Youth Transition Service last year. Briany enjoys creative writing, listening to music especially hip hop and hanging out with her 2 gorgeous kittens.