Meet our team

Our experienced team can help answer your questions and queries and guide you in the right direction.

The transition coordinators provide a high level of support and pastoral care for students enrolled in the Trades Academy. The TC’s proactively work with the student/whanau/caregivers, schools and MIT departments to enable student success in their secondary tertiary pathway. The transition coordinators individually monitor student progress towards attaining Level 2 and 3 NCEA.

  • Emma Takataka

    Transitions Coordinator

    Phone: (09) 968 7791  or 022 012 1582
    Email: Emma.Takataka@manukau.ac.nz

    Profile

    Emma was born and raised in Otara.

    As a transition coordinator, she supports trades academy students while they are studying. She loves seeing students engaged in MIT’s practical learning environment.

    Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family and friends.

  • Jennifer Cotton

    Pathways Administrator

    Phone: (09) 976 0512
    Email: Jennifer.Cotton@manukau.ac.nz

    Profile

    Jennifer, otherwise known as Jenn, is a pathways administrator. In her role Jenn looks after the behind the scenes admin work and she enjoys working with a passionate team.

    Her favourite thing about working at MIT is hearing about young people who are thriving and achieving their goals.

    Outside of work she likes to do anything that involves the outdoors, walking, gardening, watching her children play sport and spending time with her family and friends.

  • Joel Singsam

    Transition Coordinator

    Phone: 022 568 0232
    Email: joel.singsam@manukau.ac.nz

    Profile

    I'm a proud Middlemore born baby, raised in the mighty Manurewa.

    Ethnicity wise, I'm a fruit salad stemming from Samoan, Cook Island, Chinese and Maori heritage. I can't speak fluently in any of my cultures just yet, but my life goal is to be able to speak all of them. I do, however speak tagalog/filippino, which is awesome.

    Coming from an upbringing where family was of top priority, I quickly developed an understanding of how important it is to steer and guide our children and youth on the right path. That's what peaked my interest here at Pathways. I'm big on having our youth levelling up and creating new pathways for themselves as they transition into adulthood. Being a part of their growth is just a bonus blessing.

    Outside of work I love an early morning basketball run, slow jazz music and some smooth longboarding.

  • Katriona Lea

    Pathways Administrator

    Phone: 022 067 5766
    Email: katriona.lea@manukau.ac.nz

    Profile

    I love being a part of a team helping young people shape their career paths and guiding them towards fulfilling and successful futures.

    Outside of work, I love to travel and spend quality time with family and friends.

  • Rae George

    Transition Coordinator

    Phone: (09) 976 0513 or  022 568 0229
    Email: burn.george@manukau.ac.nz

    Profile

    I was born on the beautiful island of Aitutaki in the Cook Islands and migrated to Otara, “Home of the Brave.”


    I am a dynamic and engaging youth leader. Am also highly competent in program implementation and group leadership, compassionate, self-motivated with excellent interpersonal and communication skills that enable youth to easily connect. I have volunteered for numerous youth organizations across Auckland and Sydney. My upbringing enabled me to develop a passion for working with youth and seeing them strive for excellence. To our youth, “Be an encourager, the world has enough critics already”.


    Outside of work, I love Korean BBQ at home, taking photos on my Nikon DSLR, and finding vintage goods at second-hand stores.

  • Rahera Tupaea

    Pathways Manager

    Phone: (09) 976 0985
    Email: Rahera.Tupaea@manukau.ac.nz

  • Shontal Williams

    Transitions Coordinator

    Phone: 022 568 0240
    Email: shontal.williams@manukau.ac.nz

    Profile

    I was raised in beautiful Northland, but have worked and lived in South Auckland for the past 15 years.

    I have worked in a number of different areas including children with disabilities, adult community mental health, vocational rehabilitation, employment support and advocacy.

    I am really passionate about guiding and supporting rangatahi in my local community to reach their full potential. Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my family, friends, my dogs and being in nature.

  • Treva Vaipulu

    Transitions Coordinator

    Phone: 022 568 0072
    Email: treva.vaipulu@manukau.ac.nz

    Profile

    I am a proud descendent from the mighty Kingdom of Tonga and was born and raised in Ōtara. South Auckland is my home and its always been in me to make an impact and use the skills and talents that I have to serve.

    I am a supportive and hospitable youth leader and have participated in a handful of community service projects which included, painting, picking up rubbish, weeding and gardening.

    My upbringing in Church and in a big family of 10 siblings has embedded values in me which revolve around putting others needs before my own.

    I am especially excited to see our youth reach their full potential and thrive in areas where they see themselves in the future. There is no better place for our youth to be than here, being a part of the Trades Academy.

    I have a passion for Music and the Arts. I love a good hike and playing sports, particularly one with a net and ball (volleyball, table tennis, pickleball, etc).