Community Connect

Joe Sprangers is the Board Chair of Pumanawa Āwhina and the Chief Executive of Touch NZ and Quality Events Limited. With 17 years of leadership as the Chief Executive of Touch NZ, Joe brings a wealth of experience in governance and strategic management. He also serves on numerous other boards and trusts, contributing to various sectors with a commitment to excellence and community development. Joe's extensive experience and dedication to improving organisational outcomes make him a valuable leader for Pūmanawa Āwhina.

Ko Kahuranaki te Maunga

Ko Tukituki rāua ko Pouawa nga Awa

Ko Kahuranaki te Marae

Ko Ngāi Rangikoianake te HapuKo Ngati Kahungunu ki Heretaunga te Iwi

Ko Timu te Whānau

Ko Junior Armstrong taku ingoa

Born and raised in Hastings, Junior Armstrong is passionate about the value sport and physical activity bring to communities. He is dedicated to enhancing the lives of others through his extensive experience in sports and youth development. Junior has been instrumental in establishing the All In Sports Club and the Pokaiwhenua Pokaimoana youth development trust. Currently, he is completing a Masters of Physical Activity and Hauora while working for Sport NZ. With three children aged 15, 8, and 3, and a supportive wife, Junior's commitment to his family and community is unwavering. He is honored to contribute to the Pumanawa Āwhina kaupapa and support its dedicated team in serving communities across Aotearoa.

Chillion (Kil-lee-in) is the Director for RIVI consultancy, a self-owned independent consulting business. He names the way he works as a Youth Ecosystem Strategist, a Youth Development Specialist and a Youth Innovation Practitioner and facilitator for social change. All his work is underpinned by Pacific and Maori indigenous knowledge, values, principles which guides his work.

His strengths are in social impact, leadership development, facilitation, community engagement, community development (place-making), social innovation, event management, systems change, creative arts, faith-based youth engagement, and a strong advocate for the professionalisation of youth work in Aotearoa. This is supported with disciplines such as, critical thinking, systems thinking and design thinking allowing Chillion to work at the youth/young people intersection of Climate Change, Education and Training, Health sector, Mental Health & Wellbeing, Sports and Recreation, Creative Arts, Leadership Development, Community Development, Social Development, Economic Development, Youth Work, Civic Engagement and Participation.

He is a certified Design Thinking facilitator and an Active Citizens (Global) programme facilitator connected to a global network of almost 300,000 members in 77 countries. Chillion holds a Certificate and Diploma in Christian Ministries, National Diploma in Youth Work, Bachelor of Youth Development and Postgraduate Certificate in Leading Change for Good. He will complete his Master in Change and Organisational Resilience at the end 2024 with academyEX.

Chillion has governance & executive experience across the national youth development sector, youth workers in Aotearoa, workforce development, faith-based, social services and sexual violence prevention.

Roxanna is the Targeted Participation Team Manager at Sport Waikato and works to build regional capability regarding inclusion and ensure that diverse communities have access to equitable opportunities to be active. Roxanna is passionate about addressing societal problems by understanding lived experience to achieve equitable system change. Originally from the United Kingdom, Roxanna moved to New Zealand in 2006 with her parents and 3 siblings.

Roxanna’s background is in communication and social change, complimented by extensive experience in research and impact measurement. She completed her PhD at the University of Waikato in 2021, which focused on the lives of 21^st Century New Zealand women and their unique differences and experiences as they navigated the constraints of choice and a narrative of progression. She also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Tertiary Teaching and Learning and a Graduate Certificate in Social Policy. Roxanna currently serves as Vice-President for the Board of the YWCA of Hamilton.

Toby is a passionate advocate for the power of physical activity to transform communities and enhance wellbeing. He brings extensive experience in sports governance, commercialisation, and policy development. Since his youth, Toby has engaged in over ten different sports, including representing New Zealand in rowing, which has given him a deep appreciation for the positive impact of physical activity on all dimensions of Hauora.

Serving on boards for various sports organisations, Toby has experience in strategic planning and implementation at levels ranging from grassroots participation to national high-performance programs. He has managed relationships with national sports organisations and has experience in sports commercialisation. He has developed and implemented key policies through his work with the national sports integrity bodies. As a founding Member of a non-profit, Toby has evidenced his commitment to using physical activity as a mechanism to improve community wellbeing.

Toby's commitment to serving underprivileged communities is evident through his humanitarian and youth development work, where he collaborated with underserved communities and both foreign and domestic government organisations. His experience in co-designing initiatives and advocating for community beneficiaries demonstrates his ability to build strong partnerships and drive impactful outcomes.

Toby holds a Master’s degree in Sport Management with First-Class Honours, solidifying his expertise in strategic planning, business management, and organisational leadership. His network includes individuals and communities dedicated to serving diverse and underserved communities.

Toby feels privileged to contribute to Pūmanawa Āwhina meaningful kaupapa, creating fun and healthy opportunities for communities and families.

Lynette is an experienced community leader who strongly believes in the power of community and their ability to create and lead change to improve their own aspirations. Lynette led a community organisation aimed at helping people lead better lives through capacity and capability building to create transformative change. Lynette also believes that collaboration is essential for building strong and thriving communities, bringing together individuals, organisations, and institutions to work towards common goals and address complex social, economic, and environmental issues.

Lynette is a board member of Belong Aotearoa, a non-profit innovation and social change hub that addresses systemic barriers to settlement for newcomers in Aotearoa NZ. She has held community positions as well as roles on regional and national boards.

With a governance background in health, education, and sport, Keri Bryan is dedicated to improving the lives of New Zealanders. Keri's professional career spans 30 years in medicine, including 24 years in mental health, with the last 16 years as Clinical Director and Consultant Psychiatrist for the Southern MHAID in Southland.

Keri has served on a local school board for nine years, been involved in the agricultural sector, and currently sits on two national non-profits in the health and sport arenas. Since 2021, Keri has been a Chartered Director with the Institute of Directors (IOD). Known for being calm, level-headed, and an excellent listener, Keri values confidentiality, professionalism, and teamwork.

Understanding the profound impact of decisions on people's lives, Keri is eager to bring strategic, commercial, and relational skills to support the future of Pumanawa Āwhina.