Our Kaimahi - Staff

Penny Nicholas.Penny Nicholas

Ngāi Tahu, Oraka Aparima, Awarua, Waihopai, Hokonui

Penny’s role is a busy one leading the operation management of the Health & Social Services Trust along with general administration across Hokonui Rūnanga and its Subsidiaries. Penny went off to Canterbury as a young person and studied Management and Human Resources, upon her return to Southland she came to work at Hokonui Rūnanga seeing this as an opportunity to work for the benefit of her iwi. Having a passion in whānau wellbeing she then completed a health qualification. She brings a knowledge of community experience to her role and can often be found in the kitchen, acting as a taxi driver for kaumatua and in numerous other roles supporting staff in their mahi.

Hannah Dunlop.Hannah Dunlop

Whānau Ora Navigator

Whānau Ora Navigators work closely with whānau to identify their specific needs and aspirations, then help to identify the services, education providers or employment and business opportunities that whanau or individuals may need. Goal setting for your future is a major focus for Whānau Ora Navigators.

Hannah previously was a teacher’s aid helping children with learning disabilities before she left to experience her OE, Hannah has a passion for helping people reach their goals for future success.

Winston TuripaWinston Turipa.

Whānau Ora Navigator

Whānau Ora Navigators work closely with whānau to identify their specific needs and aspirations, then help to identify the services, education providers or employment and business opportunities that whanau or individuals may need. Goal setting for your future is a major focus for Whānau Ora Navigators.

Winston has been a youth worker for 4 years. Previously Winston was a registered builder, after years of perfecting his trade he decided to follow his passion of helping people. Winston now dedicates his mahi to helping our Tamariki and Rangatahi to realise their potential and achieve their aspirations.

Winston provides personalised care to individual rangatahi/tamariki with diverse needs to identify and achieve their goals. His work is client/whānau-centred, strength-based and encompasses Mason Durie’s holistic Te Whare Tapu Whā model of care.

Winston is enthusiastic in his work. He will make necessary referrals to other agencies when required, act as an advocate and support person and celebrate with the young people and their whānau as they achieve their goals.

Penny Leith.Penny Leith

Community Health Worker

Ngāi Tahu

Community Connectors support the welfare needs of individuals and whānau to keep safe while isolating at home / in the community or who have experienced hardship due to on going issues from COVID-19.

Penny has a passion for helping people and advocating for their wellbeing. Penny has a background for caregiving for people who need home assistance and Pharmacy training.

Anissa Hammond.Anissa Hammond

Social Worker, Counsellor

Anissa joins the team with a Bachelor of Social Work and Community Development from Otago University and a Post Grad Certificate majoring in Counselling from Massy University. Along with working for Hokonui, Anissa currently works in Private Practice at the Invercargill Loss and Grief Centre.

Anissa has a passion for helping others heal and build strong foundations for a healthy and happy life.

Kylie Aitken.Kylie Aitken

Nutrition and Wellbeing Navigator

Kylie works alongside whānau to strengthen nutrition, wellbeing, movement, and sustainable weight management through a holistic, person-centred approach. Her practice is grounded in Te Whare Tapa Whā, the hauora model developed by Sir Mason Durie, recognising the interconnectedness of tinana (physical health), hinengaro (mental and emotional wellbeing), wairua (spiritual wellbeing), and whānau (social wellbeing). Kylie supports individuals to set meaningful goals and provides practical, support to help them achieve lasting change.

She is the weekly instructor for Taurite Tū, a te ao Māori strength and balance programme designed for kaumātua.

After leaving school, Kylie studied Physical Education at the University of Otago and has continued to build her knowledge through ongoing professional development across health, wellbeing, and community practice. She has held a range of roles throughout the Gore District in social services, health, community development, and sport. Kylie takes pride in her strong community connections and her commitment to supporting whānau across Hokonui.

Jo Brand.Jo Brand

Kaitoko Mātauraka | Education and Community Development

Waitaha, Kati Mamoe, Kāi Tahu, Te Arawa

Jo was born here in Gore but spent several decades away from Murihiku living around the world and NZ whilst working within the FMCG sector. Jo has studied Psychology, Communications and Business Administration. Jo has held roles with duel Operational Delivery and Human Resources outputs, leading teams of 300 with a speciality in multi-site leadership. She likes to call herself a ‘Jack of all trades but a master of none’. Jo is a practitioner of Community Led Development, which is when local voice leads system change. “Whānau know what their community needs ” – our job is to enable that journey!

Jo is passionate about influencing system change for the betterment of whānau. She is the Hokonui Representative on the following:

• Eastern FVIARS (Family Violence Interagency Response System)
• Eastern Resilience against Organised Crime (ROCC) - Vice Chair
• Hokonui Public Service leads roopu
• Gore Creative Communities Funding Committee
• Gore Health Inc
• Hokonui Mandated Health lead (Te Tauraki process)
• MAG – Māori Advisory Group Southland (Police)
• Tuawhenua

Jo is also:

• Board member of Whakatipu Community Hub Board (representing 7 rūnaka) Whakatipu Hub – Whakatipu Community Hub Charitable Trust
• Chair of Hokonui Community Led Health
• Co-chair of Southland Regional Leadership group with Steph Voight
• Queenstown Lakes Hospital Clinical Governance member

Ceri Macleod.Ceri Macleod

Hokonui Community-Led Health Manager

Ceri Macleod manages Hokonui Community-Led Health. She works alongside health, social service, iwi and community organisations to better align services with local needs and strengthen hauora across the wider Gore district. Ceri supports services and groups to extend the reach of their health and wellbeing activities, respond to community priorities, and address service gaps. She brings a background in socio-economic development, with experience across Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia and the UK, and is committed to collaborative approaches that improve equity and long-term outcomes.

Tegan Ramage.Tegan Ramage

Hokonui Community-Led Health Executive Communication Assistant

Tegan Ramage is the Executive Communication Assistant for Hokonui Community-Led Health (HCLH). She supports the delivery of clear, accessible communications about HCLH and its kaupapa, working across social media and other channels to share relevant information with the community. Tegan brings a thoughtful, practical approach to presenting information in ways that are engaging and easy to understand.