Life Changing Experiences for young people with Disabilities.
Since 2002 Recreate NZ has been providing outstanding social and recreational services to the disability community of Auckland. Now also serving Christchurch, Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Wellington,
we have grown from humble beginnings into a provider of over 500 programmes each year.
With four exciting programme streams consisting of ten different programme types ranging from ½ day to 6 days in length, we have plenty of opportunities for you to enjoy.
OUR STAFF
Recreate is run by a team of dedicated staff who all bring different skills, interests and personalities to the table.
AUCKLAND
Josephine Siggaard
Interim Moxie Employer Liason
Interim funding Manager
josephine@recreate.org.nz
funding@recreate.org.nz
Josephine has been responsible for a range of Short Breaks and Junior programmes, and now she is covering Sarah Ferens responsibilities while she is on maternity leave. Josephine brings a vibrant and positive attitude to the team.
Grace coordinates our Auckland Down Syndrome Association (ADSA) Social Club, where they meet up monthly for social gatherings.
Georgia Mae Moloney
Programme Coordinator
georgiamae@recreate.org.nz
George has recently made the move up from Christchurch to live in Auckland. She oversees Adventure programmes and Getaways.
Jesse Petersen
Our Harvest Product Coordinator
jesse@recreate.org.nz
Jesse has a bachelor of Human Services with a major in disability studies and is excited to join the team as the Our Harvest Product Coordinator.
Annabelle Webster
Programme Coordinator
annabelle@recreate.org.nz
Annabelle has recently joined Recreate after graduating in Law and Arts at Victoria University. Annabelle brings energy, inclusion and a real eagerness to get involved in everything Recreate!
BAY OF PLENTY
Sophie has been with Recreate for 3 years and she has seen incredible growth in the Bay of Plenty. Sophie brings experience, professionalism and thoughfulness to her role and she has seen so many meaningful moments happen on Recreate.
Alex Charette
Programme Coordinator
BAY OF PLENTY
alex@recreate.org.nz
Alex started as a volunteer
and then casual facilitator for
Recreate in the Bay of Plenty.
Now she is on board as a
Programme Coordinator.
Nicola Keyworth
Funding Officer
BAY OF PLENTY
nicola@recreate.org.nz
Before parenting her lovely two kids, Nicola was the National Programmes Coordinator for many years. Now living in Tauranga, Nicola works alongside Sarah on funding.
Sally is from the States and she has recently completed her studies in Sociology and Spanish. She is very excited to be working in a field she is passionate about!
CHRISTCHURCH
Rosie comes with a Bachelor of Sustainability and Outdoor Education. She is passionate about our youth and looks forward to growing Recreate in Christchurch.
Emma Dalton
Programme Coordinator
CHRISTCHURCH
emma@recreate.org.nz
After almost two years in our Bay of Plenty office, Emma has made the move to Christchurch. Emma is excited to be part of our southern region and to form relationships with their amazing community of youth and their families.
Emma Mudgway
Onboarding Coordinator
emmam@recreate.org.nz
volunteering@recreate.org.nz
Emma comes to Recreate with plenty of relevant experience, a passion for young people with disabilities and integrity. In this role, Emma oversees Auckland volunteering and new participant’s onboarding, as well as Life Skills Coordination.
Sarah Ferens
Moxie Employer Liason
Funding Manager
sarahf@recreate.org.nz
funding@recreate.org.nz
Currently on maternity leave.
Sarah seeks funding for our programmes. She is also part of our Moxie team, growing our network of employers who can work with Moxie participants.
Sarah has been part of our community as a volunteer and now Programme Coordinator. She oversees our bookings as well as Holiday Programmes, Urbans and Mothers Retreats.
Jasmine completed her internship with us through AUT, and now she oversees Holiday Programmes, Urbans and Short Breaks.
An enthusiastic outdoorsman on the track and the seas. Brent has just celebrated 11 incredible years as the General Manager of Recreate NZ.
Sandra finished a New Zealand Diploma in Business – Accounting in 2021 and joins Recreate to oversee the accounts in Auckland.
Lisa comes from Germany via Australia with a passion and drive for the families we work with in her role as regional accounts officer.
Matt has over 10 years of experience with Recreate from volunteer, facilitator and now National Programmes Coordinator overseeing all programmes.
Sheridan Jackson
Head of Moxie and Lead Programme Coordinator
sheridan@recreate.org.nz
moxie@recreate.org.nz
Sheridan is part of our senior leadership team, and she also leads Moxie work experience and employment opportunities and the Recreate Youth Board.
WAIKATO
Hamilton-based Holly is excited to be the Programme Coordinator and Facilitator for the Waikato region. She is passionate about youth, hamilton and seeing people make meaningful connections.
WELLINGTON
Holly has returned to Recreate after being a volunteer a few years ago. Holly is currently studying Health Science and is super excited to be jumping on board in Wellington and working in the industry she is passionate about!
"Just came back from the Mother’s Retreat’ weekend and had to write to you to thank you sooooo much. Can’t rate the weekend enough! It was wonderful! Everything about it was fabulous. Thoroughly enjoyed all the sessions, the relaxation, the sharing with other mother’s, the food and venue – fantastic! Can’t WAIT for the next one!" - Linda
Governance
Recreate NZ is a registered charity - CC41375. We are a youth based organisation who believe in young people supporting young people. We do this by enlisting an amazing team of age appropriate staff and volunteers to manage all of our programmes. Recreate NZ is overseen by the following board of trustees, who provide support to the wonderful staff.
Craig Wheatley
Chair
Craig is proud to be part of Recreate and is committed to using his private sector experience to make a difference to the inspirational youth that we represent.
Ezekiel Robson
Deputy Chair
Ezekiel looks forward to contributing his disability sector strategic advocacy experience, to help youth with disabilities to further achieve their dreams.
Sue Small
Treasurer
Sue is passionate about supporting the extraordinary work of Recreate staff in positively changing the lives of our young people.
Carol Chouhfeh
Trustee
Carol was Recreates founding Chairperson and is now enjoying the journey as a regular Trustee.
Heather Alford
Trustee
Queens Service Medal recipient after many years in the disability sector, Heather is still as passionate about Recreate as ever.
Helen Cussell
Treasurer
Committed to seeing the disability sector maximise all of the financial opportunities available, Chartered Accountant Helen has recently joined Recreate as treasurer.
Trevor Lowe
Trustee
Trevor has worked in a variety of public and private sectors as a Chartered Accountant, as well as in the Health and Disability sector.
Rob Byrne
Trustee
Former operations staff member Rob has extremely valuable experience within many facets of Recreate over the years.
Our Locations
There's hardly a part of beautiful Aotearoa that we haven't explored with participants! Recreate NZ operates out of five locations, and we run programmes for clients in the Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Canterbury and Wellington regions. We hope to expand further in the near future, so if you live outside of these areas but would love to see Recreate come to your region, drop us line.
To register for our services or to get in touch with our Auckland, Christchurch, Bay of Plenty, Waikato or Wellington offices - See below.
Complaints Policy
Recreate NZ offers a robust complaints procedure for participants and families.
If you would like to compliment our people or services, have any concerns, or if you believe that we’ve failed to deliver the quality programmes and/or care that we pride ourselves on, we want to know.
Please contact us at info@recreate.org.nz