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
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Josephine Siggaard
Moxie Employer Liaison and Regional Accounts Manager
josephine@recreate.org.nz
moxie@recreate.org.nz
​Josephine is part of the MOXIE team, responsible for partnering up employers and trainees through our work experience programme. Josephine also oversees Regional Accounts
Kiralee Cooke
Programme Coordinator
kiralee@recreate.org.nz
Kiralee is originally from Wellington and is super excited to be part of the Programme Coordination team in Auckland. Kiralee is very passionate about ballroom dancing, as well as leading young people, most recently as a tutor for Starjam.
Rishikesh Venu
National Accounts Officer
accounts@recreate.org.nz
Rishi is an accounting graduate who has worked for a few different organisations. Rishi also enjoys badminton, loves spending time with his family and loves his hometown of Auckland.
Quynh Hoang
Programme Coordinator
quynh@recreate.org.nz
Quynh is from the UK and has recently joined Recreate. She comes with a Bachelor of Psychology and is excited to oversee Holiday Programmes, Urbans and Short Breaks
Jess Protheroe
Horticulture Programme Leader
Jess has been a long time Recreate participant, and has progressed through our Moxie programme to be the Horticulture Leader in Kumeu.
Mitchell Hartnett-Newlands
Vehicle Valet
Mitchell has attended Recreate programmes for over 10 years, and is very happy to be part of the operations team as Vehicle Valet.
Nicholas Leggat
Vehicle Valet
Nicholas Leggat has been a part of Moxie Orchard teams for a few years, and has progressed into employment with Recreate as Vehicle Valet.
Imogen Dobbs
Head Office Cleaner
Imogen loves Recreate, especially the Girls Club and other Urbans! Imogen brings fun, energy and positive vibes to the office.
William Eady
Head Office Cleaner
William has progressed from junior through to youth programmes, and loves everything Recreate related. William brings a diligence and attention to detail to his role in the head office as a cleaner.
Jess Drumm
Programme Coordinator
jess@recreate.org.nz
Jess is currently about halfway through her Bachelor of Social Work, and she facilitates a range of our programmes in Auckland. In her spare time, she loves being active by playing netball, socialising with her friends and spending time outdoors!
Ella Speight
ADSA Programme Coordinator
adsa@recreate.org.nz
Ella has been a standout volunteer for Recreate in Auckland over the past two years while studying health science at University. She has recently joined our team of staff as Auckland Down Syndrome Association (ADSA) Social Club Coordinator.
Cayleigh Torkler
Programme Facilitator
Cayleigh has spent a great amount of days on our Moxie programmes as a safe a reliable volunteer, and we are thrilled to now see her in a facilitator role in Auckland.
Aurora Ansin
Programme Facilitator
Aurora, born and bred in Auckland (grew up on Waiheke) has a keen interest in community work. Aurora's passion is in nutrition and she's excited to be starting her Masters of Nutrition and Dietetics in 2024 at Massey University. Meet Aurora on programmes soon over summer!
BAY OF PLENTY
Sophie McLaughlan
Lead Programme Coordinator
BAY OF PLENTY
sophie@recreate.org.nz
After a very busy of serving in the National Programmes Coordinator role while Sheridan was on maternity leave, Sophie returns to leading our Bay Of Plenty region. Sophie brings a great amount of experience, insight and diligence to this role, and she loves to see Recreate grow and thrive.
Lou Swan
Programme Coordinator
BAY OF PLENTY
lou@recreate.org.nz
Lou has just started with us as a Programme Coordinator here at Recreate. Lou is currently in her third year of studies at the University of Waikato here at the Tauranga Campus, studying a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education.
Taylor Clarke
Programme Coordinator
BAY OF PLENTY
taylor@recreate.org.nz
Taylor joined our Bay of Plenty team in October 2023, and is stoked to get involved! Taylor is also completing her Bachelor of Social Work at Waikato University, and she can't wait to meet our community in the Bay.
Earl Fisher
Vehicle Valet
Earl has recently completed his Moxie work experience programme, and has subsequently successfully gained employment as Vehicle Valet in the Bay
Ella Law
Lead Programme Coordinator
CHRISTCHURCH
ella@recreate.org.nz
Ella knows many in our Christchurch Recreate community already as a programme facilitator. Ella now joins the team as Programme Coordinator, and can't wait to create and run her own events, trips and adventures!
Jack Stewart-Ward
Programme Coordinator
CHRISTCHURCH
jack@recreate.org.nz
Jack has just joined the Christchurch team and is super pumped to meet the community down there. Jack enjoys playing music, the outdoors and connecting with young people.
Lily Wheeler
Programme Coordinator
Funding Officer
CHRISTCHURCH
lily@recreate.org.nz
Lily joined Recreate back in 2018 in the Waikato before moving to Christchurch. She is now a Programme Coordinator and Regional Funding Officer based in ÅŒtautahi.
CHRISTCHURCH
Samantha Waite
Programme Coordinator
CHRISTCHURCH
samantha@recreate.org.nz
Samantha has recently finished her degree in Linguistics, and is part of our new starters at Recreate in Christchurch. Samantha grew up in Nelson, where she grew to love the outdoors and tramping with her family.
Charlotte Hamilton
Programme Coordinator
CHRISTCHURCH
charlotte@recreate.org.nz
Charlotte grew up in Christchurch before moving to Dunedin to study a BA in Education & Psychology. Charlotte has always been passionate about working with youth and have worked as a swim and ski instructor. Charlotte can't wait to meet the whole crew soon!
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Emma Mudgway
Office Manager and Onboarding Coordinator
emmam@recreate.org.nz
volunteering@recreate.org.nz
Emma oversees the Head Office management, Auckland volunteers and new participant’s onboarding.
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Annabelle Webster
Lead Programme Coordinator
annabelle@recreate.org.nz
Annabelle has experienced it all at Recreate in Auckland, and is now the Lead for this region. Annabelle brings energy, inclusion and a real eagerness to get involved in everything Recreate!
Amal Adam
Programme Coordinator
amal@recreate.org.nz
Originally from Australia, Amal studied psychology in Melbourne. She started off as an intern at Recreate, then a volunteer and now is a Programme Coordinator!
Katie Burson
Funding Officer
katie@recreate.org.nz
Katie has returned into the Recreate fold on a part time basis as Funding Officer, and brings a wealth of experience as National Programmes Coordinator and Facilitator.
An enthusiastic outdoorsman on the track and the seas. Brent has just celebrated 11 incredible years as the General Manager of Recreate NZ.
Sheridan Jackson
National Programmes Coordinator
sheridan@recreate.org.nz
Sheridan has now returned from maternity leave, and she brings 8 years of knowledge and experience from being a coordinator and facilitator. Sheridan has a real passion to lead our coordinators to through quality programmes, and to strengthen our regions throughout Aotearoa.
Matt Alpe
Marketing and Communications Coordinator
matt@recreate.org.nz
Matt has over 10 years of experience with Recreate from volunteer, facilitator, National Programmes Coordinator and now in the Marketing role and senior leadership.
Sarah Ferens
Head of Moxie
sarahf@recreate.org.nz
moxie@recreate.org.nz
Sarah heads up MOXIE, and she is very passionate about seeing young people fulfil their potential to live their best lives.
Sarah Stokes
Lead Programme Coordinator
WAIKATO
sarahs@recreate.org.nz
Sarah is studying at Waikato University, completing her Bachelors in Sport and Human Performance.. Sarah has been volunteering with Recreate for over 2 years and she is very excited to be more involved by taking on this role!
Abbey Robinson
Programme Coordinator
WAIKATO
abbey@recreate.org.nz
Abbey is in her last year of studying Primary School Education at the University of Waikato. Abbey loves keeping active and anything to do with the outdoors as well as spending my spare time with family and friends.
Brandon Entwistle
Lead Programme Coordinator
WELLINGTON
brandon@recreate.org.nz
Brandon has just completed his Bachelor's in Creativity, and is very excited to get involved with planning and running programmes for the Wellington region.
WAIKATO
"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.
Rob Byrne
Chair
Former operations staff member Rob has extremely valuable experience within many facets of Recreate over the years.
Sue Small
Secretary
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.
John Houston
Trustee
John is self-employed as an Education Consultant and is member of the New Appointments National Panel (appointed by the Minister of Education).
Helen Cussell
Trustee
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.
Dean Duckmanton
Trustee
A proud supporter of the disability sector, Dean hopes to add value to Recreate NZ with experiences in Government, Business & Construction wherever possible
Lachie McNae
Trreasurer
Lachie originally hails from Nelson, South Island, and has recently graduated from the University of Auckland. Lachie was our National Accounts officer, and he has stayed on as Treasurer alongside his employment at Deloitte.
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.
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Please contact us at info@recreate.org.nz