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Whanau is the cornerstone of a strong, healthy community. Our members are here to help, advise, plan and implement events and support activities for everyone in the Panama Road area. They give their time freely and have a collective vision that improves lives, cares for those in need and creates celebrations, fun and learning.

Community

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Dean Napa

Chairman

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Dean is one of the several talented League playing Napas. The Napa family are also well known for the great community service they have through caring and compassion. When there's a project happening in the community they are never far away from making sure it runs
smoothly. Dean is also the creator of Panama Famz & Friends - a group with over 1000 members - all former or current Panama residents.

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Delphina Galvin-Helmbright
Treasurer
 

Bizworkx NZ is a business consultancy & Virtual Administration business that focuses on supporting Kaupapa Maori and Pasifika Businesses & Organisations Thrive & meet their strategic goals and objectives.

 

We are thrilled to harness this knowledge to support Panama Riverside Friends Society Inc.

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Tea Ropati
Secretary
 
Tea is a local resident with a passion for the community and those living in the area. He has had a distinguished career as a professional Rugby League player and is the  Executive Director of the K
oru Trust, a charity responsible for developing and delivering services and programs that are appropriate for the needs and aspirations of youth and whanau. He holds a degree in psychology and has more than 20 years experience in community development.       
 

 

Kaumatua

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Brownie Rauwhero
Kaumatua

Brownie has nine years’ experience as a Tainui Maori Trust Board Member, Director Waikato Fisheries, Chairperson Tamaki Runanga, Member Tainui Raupatu Claims Team, Member/Assistant Chair of the Huakina Development Trust Management Committee, Fifteen years as Chairperson of the Koroneihana Committee, Five years as Chairperson Tamaki Makaurau Marae Committee. Experience in Huakina Iwi Social Services under the Children Young Persons & their Families Act 1989, Experience in Huakina Age Care Services, Huakina Dev Trust Pukekohe/Papakura Court Liaison Officer, Huakina Development Trust Stopping Male Violence, Facilitator, Huakina Development Trust Iwi Rep/Pukekohe/Papakura Probation Services, Huakina Dev Trust, Co-ordinator for Rangatahi Support Services, Pukaki Papakainga Kahui Kaumatua. Assistant Chairperson for Pukaki Marae Committee, Member of Te Akitai Iwi Authority Treaty Claims, Past Member of the Auckland Museum Iwi Taumata, Cultural Advisor to South Auckland Police, Cultural Advisor Internal Affairs (Manukau), Kaumatua Counties Manukau Children’s Team, Cultural Advisor Manukau District Court, Tamaki Representative for the Maori Kings Office, Cultural Advisor to PILLARS.

Patron

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Sir Graham Lowe
Patron
Sir Graham Lowe has forged a reputation that transcends his position as a football coach and rugby league icon. From a sport which places a premium on macho image and physical rather than emotional prowess, Graham has moved beyond traditional masculine boundaries to appeal to a broad cross-section of New Zealand society, well outside the game of rugby league.
Graham founded the Lowie Foundation which uses Lowie’s 12 Dynamic Principles to deliver a literacy and numeracy programme to 12 -19-year-olds from disadvantaged backgrounds. In 2018 Graham started working with the Department of Corrections New Zealand and developed the Kick for the Seagulls programme which uses sporting language to teach people in prison reading, writing and maths. Sir Grahame Lowe is a former Panama Road Resident and to this day remains connected with many current residents.  

 

Foundation Members

Wairua

Tea Ropati 
Dean Napa
Fred Craig
Gill Craig
Quaid Fletcher
Renee Ioane
Tracey Dawson
Randolph Tomai
Stacey-Jade Tomai
Liana Jennings
Violeti Ncisaac

Hinengaro

Dr Barry Hughes
Fred Ioane
Julie O’Sullivan
Pip Ellwood
Mike Ellwood
Jean Mafi
Betty Ann-Mounga
Ricky Breil
Desma Jennings 
Jarred Murdock
Walter Togiamua

Tinana

Alison Fortes
Josh Chellatamby
Melissa Tongia
Greg Reid
Steve Purcell
Kealey Napa
Jacqueline Yates
Tina Taukeiaho
Jessica Oakes
Cath Oakes
Susan Mather
Steve Carroll
Willie Mathews
Thomas Henry
Cheryle McGregor
Sonny Paku
Leah Paku
Cindy Carroll
Grant Abicht

Whanau

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