Tangata Tiriti Candidates 2025
Tangata Tiriti Candidates 2025
Sarah Dodge
Kia ora, Ko Sarah Dodge tōku ingoa. I am excited to have the opportunity to be a candidate for the Tangata Tiriti Trustee role on the board. I am currently a Playcentre whānau and have the pleasure of learning alongside my 3 young tamariki.
I am the Presiding Member of my local Primary School and I have strong governance experience sitting on this board with a strong strategic model at our school that acknowledges and prioritises Te Ao Māori. I am doing extra studies in Te Reo language and also in governance courses later on in the year. I hold a degree in Health Sciences in Health Promotion and also my Playcentre ECE Level 4 qualification. I am an excellent communicator, I am organised, respectful and approachable.
My vision for Playcentre would be that many more whānau would have the opportunity to be a part of this model and that it would flourish for years to come. I feel very blessed to have the opportunity to apply to serve on this board and it would be a way that I could give back to my Playcentre community as they have been my village throughout my time with my young tamariki.
Matthew Faul
As a proud Playcentre parent, it is an honour to apply to become a Tangata Tiriti Trustee for Playcentre Aotearoa. My Playcentre journey began as a child at Waihopai Playcentre with my mother, and today my own tamariki continue this journey as our family’s third generation at the centre. This connection to Playcentre has shaped my values and commitment to its kaupapa.
Honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi is central to my vision for Playcentre Aotearoa. I am committed to ensuring our governance structures reflect equity, shared decision-making, and cultural safety. Within the Playcentre context, this means supporting bicultural practice and embedding Treaty principles into everyday operations and strategic planning.
I bring extensive governance experience, currently working as a Divisional Manager in a strategic leadership role. I also serve on the Ethics Committee of my profession’s body, Survey and Spatial New Zealand. In my current role, I report to a board of directors and help shape organisational direction based on evolving workflows and business needs. My leadership style is grounded in consensus building and practical compromise—skills I believe are essential in a cooperative, whānau led environment like Playcentre.
I believe our families are at the heart of Playcentre, and their voices must be heard, sought out, and reflected in decisions made at board level. My vision for Playcentre Aotearoa is one where every whānau feels empowered, connected, and valued. I believe in the strength of our cooperative model and want to ensure its sustainability for future generations.
I would be honoured to contribute to this kaupapa as a Tangata Tiriti Trustee and feel I bring the right skillset to support this important role. Thank you for considering me as a candidate.
Natalie Germann
My name is Natalie Germann, and I am an active member of our Playcentre community with two daughters currently enrolled at Glendowie Playcentre. I attend sessions weekly as a caregiver and have experienced first-hand the transformational power of whānau-led, play-based learning. I am standing for election to the Board because I believe deeply in the kaupapa of Playcentre and want to contribute to its long-term strength and sustainability and to give back to the Playcentre community.
I bring over a decade of experience across governance, public policy, and social impact roles. I have extensive governance experience (including a mental health organisation, University Ethics Committee, Samaritans, and others).
I am a member of the Institute of Directors, have been mentored in governance practices, and am committed to upskilling on an ongoing basis. My background is in Psychology, and I have studied this to a postgraduate level and taught Psychology adult education classes.
Professionally, I work as a Senior Policy Advisor at PHARMAC and in rape crisis work for Auckland Help, with past roles at the Ministry of Social Development, Parliament, and Te Puni Kōkiri (the Ministry for Māori Development).
Upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi is central to my work and worldview. I am currently studying towards a certificate in Te Reo Māori and continue to grow my understanding of bicultural partnership. My governance and policy work is underpinned by strong strategic thinking, integrity, and a commitment to equity.
My vision is for Playcentre Aotearoa to thrive and continue to be resilient, inclusive, bicultural, and connected to every community it serves. I am passionate about children and supporting their growth, learning and development. Becoming a Playcentre participant has been immensely rewarding, and I would love to give back to the community through this exciting opportunity. I would be truly honoured to serve as a Trustee and bring my skills, passion, and voice to the Trustee Board.
Ruth Gorinski
I am honoured to be serving as a current Tangata Tiriti Trustee on the Te Whānau Tupu Ngatahi o Aotearoa Board. I am married with four adult children and eleven beautiful grandchildren.
I have a strong governance and strategic background and have worked in co-governance and Treaty based partnership settings for 25+ years. I have been on several boards, serving as Chair and Deputy Chair in public, private and Not for Profit (NFP) spaces.
More recently, I was Chief Executive of a Not for Profit charity, so I understand the challenges our organisation faces in this space and the importance of Board support for our Chief Executive. I am passionate about social justice and equity and building strong communities where families/whānau can thrive because they have the connections to do so.
During our four children’s pre-school years, I immersed myself in our rural Playcentre. Playcentre was my ‘village’ where I made friends and embraced Playcentre’s mission of growing families together. My commitment for our Playcentre philosophy and vision continued when our Playcentre days were over and I poured that passion into homeschooling our children. When grandchildren arrived, I periodically attended Playcentre with them and I now support our daughter who is homeschooling her three children.
My vision for Playcentre Aotearoa is that together, we nurture our tamariki with the foundation stones to become strong, resilient, values-based members of our community where families and whānau are cherished and partnership, unity and tolerance underpin their relationships from cradle to grave. Parent/whānau education is an integral part of that vision becoming reality.
I would hugely value the opportunity to continue as a trustee as we progress the new organisational model with our incoming Chief Executive. I will endeavour always to serve with integrity, listening to your concerns and aspirations for our organisation
Cristin Jamieson
I’m Cristin (Crissie) Jamieson. I was a Playcentre kid myself – Days Bay in Lower Hutt. I grew up to become a commercial lawyer, met my American husband and lived in the U.S. and London for ten years. When we returned to New Zealand with our first child, I visited Island Bay Playcentre and was hooked. We had three kids and for a year all three were at Playcentre.
In total I had seven fun, beautiful, sleepless, crazy, rewarding years at Playcentre. I was known for hanging out at the carpentry table, process baking, lighting fires in the fire pit and dissecting old machinery like vacuum cleaners and lawn mowers. We attended some te reo Māori emersion sessions at Houghton Valley and did some occasional “swaps” with other nearby centres which were great. The kids loved exploring a new centre and then returning “home”. And that is what I love about Playcentre – it’s a home. Each centre is unique, with its quirks, its routines, and its people. I learned that every member has great skills to offer and we don’t all like the same things. We also ebb and flow in how much we are able to give at any time.
After seven years, my youngest went to school. I went back to university to write a thesis in environmental law on microplastic pollution. I now work at the Environmental Protection Authority where I advise the Board on governance, commercial and environmental law.
If I were lucky enough to be appointed Trustee, I would be really careful to ensure that centres get the support they need from Playcentre Aotearoa, but that they retain, and the national organisation respects, their own unique character and autonomy. I can read financial statements, I have sound governance experience and would love to take on this challenge!
Dea Majstorovic
I’m Dea — a proud Playcentre parent, professional strategist, and lifelong learner. Each week, I look forward to sessions with my energetic two-year-old, having started our journey first with SPACE and then Babies Can Play. Playcentre has become the anchor to our playful relationship.
Enrolled towards a Level 4 Certificate in Playcentre’s Adult Education programme, I’ve found complete fulfilment in learning alongside my daughter, surrounded by other parents who value connection, curiosity, and collective care. I’ve seen firsthand how thoughtful play and whānau-led learning help tamariki thrive and I’m passionate about protecting and growing that kaupapa for the future.
Professionally, I bring years of experience in strategy, governance, and senior leadership across non-profits, local government, and private sectors. I help organisations build long-term plans that stay grounded in real community needs. I know the challenges ahead for Playcentre are big — funding pressures, volunteer burnout, whānau and community engagement, regulatory demands — but I know we can meet them with clarity, care, and courage.
My professional credentials include:
- 3 years experience sitting at a non-profit Board of Directors table
- Master’s Degree in Marketing & Communication
- NZ Institute of Directors member since 2020 (requires completing annual Professional Development Hours to retain membership)
I’m committed to upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi in every aspect of governance — from the way we listen, to how we share power, to the decisions we make for future generations. I believe Playcentre can continue to lead as a truly bicultural, inclusive, and sustainable movement.
I’d love the opportunity to bring my skills and energy to the Trustee table — to help steer Playcentre into its next chapter while staying true to the spirit that makes it so special.
Sally Wallwork
Kia ora, my name is Sally Wallwork. I’m a Samoan/New Zealander, a mother of three tamariki aged 13 to 24, and a passionate advocate for Playcentre. Two of my children grew up at Waiatarua Playcentre in Auckland, where I was actively involved for seven years. I served as President for three years, Treasurer for one, and later worked as West Auckland Centre Administrator. I also contributed as a SPACE facilitator, session support worker, PLD trainer, and member of the Te Akoranga Association education team. I hold a Level 4 Playcentre qualification and am proud to be a Playcentre Life Member.
Playcentre sparked my passion for education and later inspired my journey into educational leadership. I became a primary teacher and now work as a team leader at Te Uru Karaka Newton Central School, Aotearoa’s first co-governed kura. I am proud to be part of a Tiriti-centric leadership team where partnership with tangata whenua guides all decisions. I hold a Master of Educational Leadership and a Level 3 qualification in Te Reo Māori. I also co-founded and currently chair the New Zealand Relief Teachers’ Association (NZRTA), advocating for the often-overlooked voices in education. Supporting the underdog is central to my values.
I’ve followed Playcentre Aotearoa’s strategic direction closely, including supporting centres to transition into branches, diversifying revenue beyond ECE funding, and strengthening systems for compliance, risk management, and tamariki-centred learning. I bring solid knowledge of operational and governance matters, and a calm, thoughtful leadership style grounded in integrity and hard work.
I now have the time and commitment to give back to Playcentre. I would bring a clear governance lens, a deep understanding of our kaupapa, and conviction in decisions that support our people. I would be honoured to have your vote.