Skills Support

Marley is a Kaiārahi / Navigator at WELLfed who is passionate about supporting whānau and giving back to the community that helped shape her. Prior to joining WELLfed, she worked as a Customer Service Team Leader and Tenancy Advisor at Te Toi Mahana, and as an Integrated Services Case Manager with the Ministry of Social Development supporting tāne from Rimutaka Prison transitioning back into the community. A proud first-generation New Zealand-born Samoan, Marley was raised in Cannons Creek, Porirua, and is the seventh of nine blended siblings. Her father's family comes from the villages of Leulumoega and Satuimalufilufi, and her mother's family from Samatau and Poutasi in Samoa. Proud to call Porirua home, she looks forward to tautoko whānau from the community that moulded her into the woman she is today. Guided by the whakataukī "He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata" (What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people) and the Samoan proverb "O le ala i le pule o le tautua" (The pathway to leadership is through service), she believes people and service are at the heart of everything she does. Outside of work, she enjoys playing rugby league + rugby union, walking her dog along Titahi Bay Beach, and spending time with her toddler son.

Maxine has been part of the WELLfed whānau for 10 years, growing from an early volunteer tutor into a Kaiārahi / Navigator and a key leader within the organisation. Originally from Ireland, Maxine grew up as one of nine children raised by a solo mum, learning from an early age the importance of whānau, community and people supporting one another. Raised in a Gaeltacht area, she also developed a deep appreciation for language, culture and identity. Maxine moved to Porirua in 1999 and has proudly called it home ever since, raising her three daughters here. Her career has spanned community care, hospitality, travel and education, alongside a strong commitment to volunteering. At WELLfed, Maxine leads, manages and mentors a large kaimahi team, predominantly made up of former WELLfed learners. She plays a vital role in creating pathways for people to grow from learners into leaders, supporting others to build confidence, resilience, skills and a sense of purpose. Maxine’s passion is people. She believes in the potential of every learner and the power of community to create lasting change. After 10 years, she continues to be a driving force behind WELLfed’s kaupapa.

My whānau links come from the central North Island of Āotearoa and Samoa. My mahi at WELLfed is Work Ready Kaitiaki. Work Ready is part of the WELLfed programme that assists with opportunities such as: CV updates or 1st CVs, study, training, volunteer mahi and employment options. Our aim is to welcome our people into a friendly environment where they can build resilience and plan steps to achieve their future goals.

Wesley is part of the Work Ready team, working alongside people to build confidence, develop their skills and support them towards their goals. With a background in community services, youth work, and support work he loves working with people and seeing the difference the right encouragement and support can make. He particularly enjoys being part of a team where people back each other and celebrate each other’s progress. Outside WELLfed, Wesley enjoys spending time with his family, being involved in church and community activities, listening to music and playing sport. And something you might not know - Wesley is also a qualified driving instructor and loves helping people build their confidence behind the wheel, particularly when they achieve something they once thought they couldn’t.

Nicki is the warm and welcoming heart of our reception desk at WELLfed. With a bubbly personality and a genuinely caring approach, she ensures every learner feels supported from their very first interaction. Nicki's role extends far beyond reception; she's instrumental in recruiting new learners, providing essential support throughout their journey, and keeping the WELLfed team running smoothly with her exceptional administrative skills. Highly motivated, trustworthy, and a fast learner, Nicki brings a wealth of experience from diverse administrative roles, including hospitality. Her year of cultural immersion in Paraguay, South America, also speaks to her adaptable and open nature. Nicki consistently delivers the best customer service and accurate results, always upholding her high professional standards.

Pam is a school teacher, has been an active volunteer at WELLfed for over seven years. During this time, she has generously contributed her time and expertise to support community members, particularly in the area of employment readiness. Pam has worked closely with many WELLfed learners, guiding them through the process of writing, editing, and refining their CVs

Jann is an experienced volunteer at WELLfed for five years. Jan supports learners preparing to re-enter the workforce. It includes help with job searching, writing a CV, understanding what employers are looking for, and boosting confidence through mock interview practice and practical tips.

Tracey is an experienced literacy tutor. One day a week she runs individual sessions at WELLfed working with learners that require support with reading. She also volunteers at Arohata Women’s Prison supporting women with literacy.

Sue is a retired teacher and journalist who has joined WELLfed to support rangatahi in developing their skills, with the aim of helping them return to education and achieve NCEA credits. She provides weekly one on one literacy support sessions.

Petrina has been an avid supporter of WELLfed since its inception in 2016. As a registered nurse and health educator Petrina is passionate about improving the health literacy of underserved communities and empowering people to better care for themselves. Petrina manages the WELLfed diabetes management programme and also teaches in the undergraduate programme at Whitireia Polytechnic.