Our Staff

Paul has been working in the Social Services sector since 1981 and began specialising in Addiction Services in 1994 after seeking his own personal recovery.

His expertise as a clinician stems from a range of experience working in sector roles such as Alcohol, Drug, and Gambling Counsellor, Clinical Supervisor, Addictions Counselling Lecturer, and Clinical Management at Wings Trust /Manu Wairua in 2017 before stepping into the role of CEO in 2018.

Paul believes addiction initially masquerades as a seductive solution to life’s problems and stressors, entrapping some people in repeated patterns of destructive behaviour and negatively impacting the individual, whanau, and society. Recovery embraces hope, healthy connection, and the possibilities of growth requiring team solutions. Such a radical change becomes real when the individual reaches out for help acknowledging the need to change.

Paul has a partner, two children and two grandchildren. Outside of mahi, Paul has a passion for music, renovating and creative activities.

Kia ora koutou. Ko Ngāpuhi, Ko Te Rarawa, Ko Ngāti Raukawa oku iwi. Ko Anata tokuingoa. I am a fully registered DAPAANZ Addictions Practitioner and a DAPAANZ Registered Supervisor.

I began my position as a full-time counsellor at Wings Trust/Manu Wairua in Jan 2015 and it has been (and still is) one of the most fulfilling experiences in my life. Before this position, I had worked at both the Salvation Army Bridge Program and CareNZ, gaining experience in both residential and community AOD services.

My current role is as the Clinical Team Leader, supporting the CEO and the Clinical Team. I also sit on the Clinical Advisory Board for Tuhono Aotearoa and am a member of the Practice Standards Committee (PSC) for DAPAANZ.

I have personal experience of recovery and bring with me knowledge, empathy, compassion, understanding and support. My passion is to bring hope to those who want life to be different.

Kia ora e te iwi. Ngāti Pōrou, Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Tukorehe, Ngāti Kahungunu ōku iwi.

I am a qualified addictions counsellor with lived experience in recovery. I graduated with my Bachelor of Counselling and Addictions Practice degree in 2021 and have worked for Wings Trust since 2019 where I was an original Manu Wairua steering committee member and facilitator of our Kaupapa Māori programme.

My roles have changed over the years with my most recent appointment to Operations Manager. Tikanga Māori are my guiding principles when ensuring the highest quality of services, systems, accommodation, and treatment programmes for our tangata whaiora.

If you have an interest in funding, resourcing or collaboration with our treatment services or programmes, please contact me directly. Hurihia tō aroaro ki te rā tukuna tō ātārangi kia taka ki muri i a koe – Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you.

I am a father of two and have worked in mental health, education and counselling fields for over nine years since 2013.

I have an MSocSc with Frist Class Honours, PGDip with Distinction, and BSocSc in psychology from the University of Waikato, and a PGCert in drug and alcohol addiction counselling from the University of Auckland.

I am interested in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Person-centred Intervention and Therapeutic Community Model. I enjoy working with people from different socio-cultural backgrounds and promoting mental health and well-being in New Zealand, especially among the Asian communities.

I am fully registered with DAPAANZ and have been an Addiction Counsellor with Wings Trust since January 2022. I have also been involved with Wings Trust for several years prior, via the facilitation of weekly exercise groups, and completion of 3rd year student placement in 2021.

I completed a Bachelor of Addiction and Counselling Practice (Weltec) in 2021 and associated to previous career in the financial services industry where I worked for over 10 years, also hold a Bachelor of Commerce plus graduate diploma (Victoria University of Wellington).

I enjoy working with clients from a wide variety of backgrounds, as they make positive, healthy, and sustainable life changes, free from drugs and alcohol.

I have been with Wings Trust since 2008 and I am responsible for all administration aspects at Wings. I book and arrange assessments.

I liaise with services such as WINZ and other organisations. It has been a pleasure to support many clients over the years and to witness the miracle of recovery.

I feel so grateful to have joined the Wings Team in November 2022 as the Consumer Rights Advisor.

I have come through the program myself and understand how unique and valuable Wings can be in supporting people into a brighter future.

The most important aspect of my role is building relationships with our whaiora. I strive to ensure our people are seen, heard, and held in their time at Wings Trust. I want them to feel empowered when bringing forth ideas and stand beside them to implement positive change in the community and their lives.