Work Ready NZ 

To Mate Papa

Our Team

Our Team

Work Ready is all about the people. Our team is our whānau and each member contributes in their own special and unique way. We are incredibly passionate about helping to support each and every individual on their journey forward in life.

Work Ready has significant experience working in the commercial, government and educational sector providing work readiness support. Our experience provides our customers with confidence, new training and work ideas and great documents so they can make their next move with confidence.

Many of our consultancy staff are members or have leadership roles with the Career Development Association of New Zealand.

Lisa Halvorson

Director

Lisa formed Work Ready in 2015 with the ambition of improving peoples work lives. She instills her can-do attitude into everything she does. Before Work Ready, she was an Operations Manager with one of New Zealand’s largest manufacturing corporates. Currently, she is the chairperson for Education to Employment in Northland and Northland Brand of Career Development Association New Zealand.

Lisa is an avid walker, hiker, and general life go-getter.

LinkedIn

Lisa@workready.nz
022 515 5501

Rachel Miller

Executive Assistant/Administration Support

After a complete career change from the tourism industry, Rachel has adapted her corporate travel background to bring her fabulous customer service skills and vibrant personality to the Work Ready team.

Rachel loves her fitness and from time to time a chocolate fish.

LinkedIn

Rachel@workready.nz
022 564 5322

Alysha Phillips

Vocational Rehabilitation

Alysha’s background is vocational rehabilitation, adult teaching and science.

She originally trained in Science at Canterbury university before moving into education, careers and rehabilitation.

Alysha is a lover of coffee, the beach and empowering people.

LinkedIn

Alysha@workready.nz

Lance Edmonds

Operations Manager, Ara Whakamaua

 ‘He aha Te mea nui, he tangata, he tangata, he tangata’
‘It is my view that it is people, it is people, it is people’

I have discovered that life is way too short to focus on any negative aspects. I am passionate about the work that I have been involved in, and the many different people I feel honoured to have cross my path on any given day. I take pride in establishing and fostering relationships.

I enjoy surfing and playing the drums in my spare time.

LinkedIn

Lance@workready.nz

Monique Walker

Administration Assistant

Monique Walker has an extensive background working in Student Group Travel, Retail, Banking and Customer Service. She has a passion for helping others and seeing them succeed in all areas of their life. Monique, with her bubbly personality, works closely in support of the entire team and all their administration needs.

LinkedIn

Monique@workready.nz

Tia Suemai

Attendance Services, Ara Whakamaua

“Ole ala ile pule o le tautau”
“the pathway to leadership is through service”

My name is Tia Suemai, Samoan by blood and Kiwi by birth , and I am married with 3 children. I am a proud Samoan man who holds two matai/chiefs titles Faleao Fataali’i. I have been working in this sector for over 2 decades but I found myself always learning everyday and more from young people. My heart is to serve all people but in particular pasifika young people and their families.

My hope is to be best person I can be to help our rangatahi and their families, and also working at Work Ready NZ will assist in my transition and greater understanding to do so.

Missy Hampson

Employment/Pathway Solutions
Facilitating Programs

Missy has over 10 years’ experience in Banking, Account Management and supporting Community Groups.  Passionate about supporting our people towards better pathways, linking supports, and growing our people.  Enjoys connecting with our Youth and our Communities.  Journey with the Work Ready whanau for almost 6 years supporting Youth in Northland.

In my spare time – I love being with my family, fishing, spear fishing, diving, paddle boarding and hunting. I love the outdoors and being creative.

LinkedIn

Missy@workready.nz

Carl Needham

Driving Instructor

As a Driving Instructor I am extremely passionate about the safety of our people on our roads.

I have extensive knowledge of the road code and test criteria, I am here to help our whanau in any way I can and to help them gain their licence and become safe Drivers. 

Carl@workready.nz

Marama Haretuku

Driver Licencing and Careers Work

Marama Haretuku is passionate about helping others and has worked closely with clients of all ages and backgrounds, from youth to the elderly.

With a range of skills that I have learnt over the years of working in different industries. Always looking at ways to learn and develop in spaces I stand. With a new hikoi in careers, I endeavour to leave people better than how the arrive to me.

Things I like:

  • Helping people
  • Enjoy my quiet Introspective time
  • Learning, reflection and development
  • Creating and achieving goals
  • Enjoying good conversation over kai

Marama@workready.nz

Nikki Innes

CV Services

With a background in teaching and physical education, Nikki is motivated to give clients the best experience when it comes to preparing for and finding employment. Always excited to learn new skills and upskill, her organised approach to work and life motivates those around her to do the same!

Nikki is a gym goer and enjoys spending time with her family.

Nikki@workready.nz

Harold Lipsham

Driver Training

I’ve been driver training on and off for around 15yrs (both trucks and cars). I get a real kick out of seeing people thrive and achieve their goals in the quest of bettering themselves not just for themselves but also for their families.

Passing on the knowledge, helping people to achieve and grow on their journeys and to see people smile is what it is all about. Helping people to stay safe on our increasingly busy highways.

Harold@workready.nz

Hori Anaru

Kaiarahi (Facilitator)

‘Na to rourou, Na taku rourou
Ka ora ai te iwi’

‘With my food basket, and your food basket
The people will thrive.’

I have a passion to provide support to those in need to be able to advocate/educate and guide rangatahi, people, communities, for better opportunities.

I have a background in Customer Service, Youth Services, Youth Development.

Hori@workready.nz

John Manga 

Te Ara Tautoko (Pathway Support), Far-North

I have worked primarily in telecommunications and a short time as a mortgagae broker, as well as experience working with youth in training programmes. 

I lived in Melbourne for 29 years and returned to NZ 7 years ago. I have also supported young people here in NZ into employment.

I love having the opportunity to support people to make positive changes in their lives, learn new things and to help them grow. I also want to learn new things and grow as a person.

John@workready.nz

Alison Frayne

Education – Far North

I want to learn, grow, and help the Rangatahi in my community. I love to see others thrive and do well in life.

I love to head to the beach with a book to relax and enjoy what the beach has to offer that day. Music and travel makes me happy.

Alison@workready.nz

Melissa Edmonds

Te Ara Tautoko (Pathway Support)

He hōnore, he korōria ki te Atua
Tena koutou katoa

I am passionate about rangatahi Maori having worked on and off in numerous
youth focused teaching and facilitating roles from pastoral care to onsite managing within educational hostels/projects.

This work is some what of a calling and your ngakau is key to developing relationships with those in your care and the whanau your attached to. I feel very honoured to be able to speak into the lives of young people sparking joy, hope, and a desire to learn.

 

Mel@workready.nz

Fran Harrison

Education – Te Tai Tokerau

Tena Koe my name is Francine, I have been working in the school syste, for the past 4 years. I have 5 children and 8 grandchildren and I have been married for 35 years. I was born and raised in Auckland but whakapapa back to Ahipara, Taipa and Kaeo. I live in Parapara and have 2 Jack Russel fur babies.

I am looking forward to gaining more experience and knowledge of how to awhi our rangatahi, make great relationships with other colleagues with the same passion. I enjoy working with young people and finding their dynamite!

Fran@workready.nz

Gloria Pedro

Attendance Services

Tēnā Koutou Katoa, Ko Gloria Pedro tenei.

I have two wonderful daughters who have blessed me with beautiful mokos. I like to identify myself as from Ngati Fruit Salad, because I like to acknowledge all my ancestors that played a part as to why I’m here today.

I am very passionate and love supporting people. I have been an attendance advisor since 2012 and I enjoy supporting our youth to engage and continue engaging in some form of education. I hope to gain more knowledge in better ways to support children and their whanau to succeed in life, while fulfilling their dreams and aspirations. 

Gloria@workready.nz

Selina Murray

Attendance Services

Tēnā Koutou Katoa, Ko Selina Murray tenei.

I have in the past year and a half, had the honour to work as an Attendance Advisor within Te Tai Tokerau, supporting our whanau and their tamariki in transitioning back into school or some form of education. The best part about this mahi for me, is making connections, building trust and forming lifetime relationships.

I love to cook, travel, am always keen to be adventurous and willing to give things a go, even if it is a first time. I love to serve in my church and community. Giving back to others is a reward of its own. Last but not least, I love spending quality time with my family.

Selina@workready.nz

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24 Finlayson Street
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