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Our Team

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Rowena Gotty

Interim Director

Kaiwhakahaere Rangitahi

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Catherine (Katt) Smith

Social Worker/Counsellor

Kaiārahi/Kaipuāwai

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Banele Mkhwanzi

Social Worker/Counsellor

Kaiārahi/Kaipuāwai

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Ko Tongariro toku Maunga
Ko Te Arawa toku Waka
Ko Taupo nui-a-tia toku Moana
Ko Hirangi toku Marae
Ko Turangitukua toku Hapu
Ko Tuwharetoa toku Iwi

Stacy Vis

Programme Coordinator

KaitakawaengaWhakakaha Whānau

Kia Ora my name is Stacy Vis. I am mama to four tamariki. Before joining ACROSS Social Services, I was lucky enough to raise my tamariki and maintain our whare. I am originally from Wellington, Lower Hutt. I have lived and experienced life in several countries overseas and I now live in Ohingaiti, where my tane and I bought our first home. My children are everything to me so being a Supervised Contact Supervisor for Across just made sense. I am really looking forward to my journey here at Across and to what the future holds.

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Kendyl Davis

Bereaved By Suicide Facilitator

Katitautoko ngā Whakamomori

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Ko wai au
Ko Tawhiti me Te Upoko te Tahumataa oku Maunga
Ko Horouta me Takitimu oku Waka
Ko Waitakeao me Okana oku Awa
Ko Te Ariuru me Wairewa oku Marae
Ko Ngati Pahauwera me Kati Irakehu oku Hapu
Ko Ngati Porou me Kai Tahu oku Iwi
No Otautahi ahau, kei te noho ahau inaianei e Kawakawa
Ko Lara Pere taku ingoa

Lara Pere

Whanau Support Worker/Service Delivery Support Coordinator

Kairuruku tautoko/Kaiwhakahaere a Whānau

Tēnā koutou katoa,
It’s a privilege to contribute to the important work we do at ACROSS as the Service Delivery Support Coordinator for Supervised Contacts with Oranga Tamariki and the Ministry of Justice. My role supports the safe and respectful engagement between tamariki, their parents, and wider whānau, helping to nurture positive relationships and lasting connections.
I am passionate about supporting whānau with integrity, empathy and delivering values-based, people-centred support that upholds my culturally grounded, holistic approach to mana-enhancing practice.
Outside of my professional life, my greatest joy comes from being a nanny to my three precious mokopuna and mum to four adult sons, who are my greatest source of pride and joy. They inspire me daily and remind me of the importance of nurturing strong, loving relationships. I also enjoy music, darts, and holistic practices such as Access Consciousness, Family Constellation, and Reiki. Spending quality time with my whānau and friends is at the heart of who I am.
“Ehara taku toa I te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini “
“My strength is not of mine alone but the strength of many”

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Tēnā tātou katoa
Ko Ingarangi te whakapaparanga mai engari
Ko Tāmaki Makaurau te whenua tupu
Ko Te Papaioea te kāinga
He kaimātaki au i Across
Ko Tasha au
Tēnā tātou katoa

Tasha Bell

Triple P Facilitator/Supervised Contact Supervisor

Kaitakawaenga a Whānau/Kaimātaki a Whānau

Kia ora, my name is Tasha Bell. I have 2 adult children and my eldest is tāngata whaikaha. Before joining Across I was a teacher aide at a primary school for 15 years and a relief ECE teacher for 2.5 years. I love working with Tamariki, so when the opportunity came up to join Across as a Supervised Contact Supervisor, I was excited to try something new, to build on my skill set and be of service to the community that need us.

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Cathy McNeill

Supervised Contact Supervisor

Kaimātaki a Whānau

Kia Ora,
My name is Cathy McNeill, I was born in Whanganui, raised just out of Bulls and have spent majority of my adult life living in Feilding.  I am solo mama of 2 children aged 18 & 13.  My youngest is Takiwatanga and school didn’t quite go to plan for her, so prior to joining Across in February 2025 I had spent the past 7 years schooling my daughter from home and supporting her on her Takiwatanga journey.  During those years I have been fortunate enough to be able to benefit from participating in the  Triple P Parenting programme, Strengthening Families, Incredible Years and High Complex Needs.  I look forward to being a part of our supervised contact families and also look forward to what the future may hold within Across.

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Jenny Mahaganti

Donor Communications & Administration Specialist

Whakawhitiwhitinga takoha Kaiwhakarite

Kia ora, ko Jenny tōku ingoa, I joined the ACROSS team in June 2023, and since then my role has grown to include managing donor relationships and community engagement, as well as overseeing our administrative systems. I'm grateful that in this role, I also get to bring in my creativity. Whether that’s through storytelling, design, or finding new ways to connect with our community. In my spare time, I enjoy baking, going on walks and videography & editing.

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