Our People

Leigh Auton - Chair

Leigh Auton is founding Director of Auton & Associates Ltd, Chair of the Ngapuhi Asset Holding Company (NAHC), Director of Ngapuhi Service Station Ltd (NSSL), Ngapuhi Books and Stationery Ltd (NBSL) and Chair of Northland Deepwater GP Ltd. He is a Trustee of Sistema Aotearoa and Trustee of the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra and the Bruce Pulman Park Trust. In December 2016 he joined the Board of Habitat for Humanity Greater Auckland but resigned from this position when he was appointed to the Board of Housing New Zealand in July 2018. Leigh is the Inaugural Chair of the Papakura Kootuitui Trust. In August 2015 he began a 3 year term of appointment as a member of the Local Government Commission. Leigh was the Chief Executive of Manukau City Council, a position that terminated with the formation of the new Auckland Council on 1 November 2010. He was Interim CEO at Tauranga City Council between June 2012 - April 2013. He has extensive local government experience with a particular background in planning, infrastructure and transport and is a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors.

Grant Barnes

In 2012, Grant retired as principal from Ardmore School, a semi rural school of 370 students situated on the outskirts of the Papakura township. Of his 48 years in teaching, 5 were as deputy principal and 19 as principal. Since retiring Grant has been involved in a range of consultancy work in schools - appraisal of principals and deputy principals (as an independent consultant), as well as principal appointments (working as an associate of KEA Education). Grant’s areas of educational interest include the growing of school leaders through appropriate support, developing of a school culture that enhances teaching and learning and the effective induction of young teachers into the profession. Grant was a long serving primary schools’ delegate to the Auckland Cricket Association where he was involved in coaching and the promotion of junior cricket. He is a vice patron of the association and a director on the board of the Counties Manukau Cricket Association where he also takes the role of deputy chair.

Paul van Etten

Of Dutch and Maori descent from Mataatua waka, Ngai te Rangi, Paul was born in Rotorua where his family still live. Paul attended Waikato University obtaining a BA in Māori and then went onto Teacher Training College in Auckland. Paul has been teaching for over 25 years: 10 year at Nga Tapuwae College (now Southern Cross Campus), 4 years as Assistant Principal at St. Paul’s College in Ponsonby and 4 years as Assistant Principal at Aorere College. Paul then left to work as Referee Education Officer for Auckland Rugby and the Blues for 2 years. Paul came to Papakura High School in August 2008 as Deputy Principal. Paul is supported by his wife Lynne (a Deputy Principal at Avondale College) and has two children, Natasha and Liam. During his spare time Paul referees rugby in Auckland to a Premier level.

Kataraina Nock - Principal Convenor

Currently principal Edmund Hillary School and Lead Principal for Kootuitui ki Papakura Cluster. Kataraina is an experienced educator with an academic background in educational research and development. Kataraina has led a number of professional development and research projects on behalf of the Ministry of Education and on behalf of schools in the wider Auckland area.

Abi Bond - Chief Executive Officer

Abi has over 26 years’ experience working within the DHB and NGO Health, Mental health and addictions sector both within New Zealand and the UK. Prior to joining Kootuitui ki Papakura Abi worked as a General Manager for Mahitahi Trust, a Kaupapa Maori, Mental Health and Addictions Provider based in Manukau. During her time at Mahitahi Trust Abi was responsible for the management of integrated health services across the wider Auckland rohe. Prior to this Abi worked at Counties Manukau DHB- in the position of Planner and Funder. Abi has two children and has lived within the Papakura District since she immigrated to Aotearoa in 2003.

Jan Piahana - Whaanau Leader

Jan has lived in Papakura for the last 23 years and has a long history of working in the local community through her stakeholder engagement, relationship management and community development roles at Auckland Council, Papakura Marae and the Department of Labour. She has also had a number of governance roles, including Secretary of the Papakura Marae Society, Deputy Chair of the Ngatiwai o Aotea - Kawa Marae and Chair of the Kelvin Road School Board of Trustees. Jan is a warranted Maori Warden and on the executive of the Papakura Marae Maori Warden Association. With her extensive local knowledge, experience and skills, Jan provides the Trust with an ability to engage with and strengthen relationships with parents and whānau. She also has an administration role, managing the chromebook procedures between the Trust, parents and schools.

Aina Masina - Education Facilitator

I have worked in the Education sector for just under 20 years and was a former Deputy Principal at Finlayson Park School, Manurewa. I have led the development of the Literacy and Digital Curriculum with a focus on creating innovative learning experiences for students. I have also led various teams in schools across all year levels and have a passion for supporting the growth of first language learners in both Maori and Pasifika language education. Throughout my experience in education, I have had the privilege of taking part in several projects and I have seen the importance of community contribution and growth can positively help change the lives of people. As the new facilitator, I am excited about the role. The contribution I can make towards the Education Strand and to support and work alongside the Health and Whaanau Strand within the Kootuitui cluster. I believe it is an opportunity for the students to engage in a range of learning opportunities to develop a Learn, Create and Share understanding.

Robin Vimal - Human Resource & Administrative Leader

Robin, better known as Bini, has grown up in Papakura and still lives locally. Bini worked at Papakura Marae for five years, where she developed skills in general administration before moving on to help her husband with their family automotive business. While also raising three children, Bini studied at MIT and completed a National Certificate in Business Administration in 2014. Bini joined Kootuitui in 2017 as the Chromebook Administrator while studying towards a Bachelor of Applied Management in Human Resources which she completed in 2021 and has stepped into the new role of HR & Administrative Leader since mid this year, 2022.

Nane Lockington - Whaanau Coordinator

Kia Orana. I am a proud mum of six wonderful tamariki. My association with Kootuitui ki Papakura began in 2016 when two of my girls enrolled at Edmund Hillary School. Through the school I was invited to attend a Homes Strand workshop then became a member of the Kootuitui Whaanau. Education is a passion of mine and I believe learning is an ongoing lifelong journey which begins at home. Empowering whaanau within our community through the workshops we offer - Chromebook Training, Financial Literacy and Warm, Dry, Healthy Homes, is truly rewarding and builds relationships. I am currently serving on the Homai School and Rosehill School Boards of Trustees. My tamariki and I are involved in sports clubs in Papakura. I coach, manage and umpire netball, touch rugby and softball. I am President of the Hunua District Netball Club and Team Manager for Royals Softball Club.

Evangelyn Nikolao - Chromebook Administrator

Evangelyn was born and raised in South Auckland, Papakura and completed Yr13 at Papakura High school in 2020. She has worked in various jobs since then, including volunteer work with the Rising Foundation. Evangelyn has a willingness to learn, an open mind to adapt, and a eagerness to work closely with our cluster schools and wider community. Her young mind brings fresh insight and new perspective to the role and we are excited to have her join the team and to see her develop professionally and as an individual within this role.

Waihou Piahana - Delivery Team & Vehicle Administrator

I have worked in the Kootuitui Whaanau Strand for the past four and a half years. Initially as a volunteer Whaanau Facilitator and now as an employee. My previous career background stems back 40 years - 20 years with Fisher & Paykel Electronics division in Research & Development, Radio & Television manufacturing as a graduate Technician Engineer, 20 years as an Electrician for various contracting companies. I love my current role with Kootuitui as part of the Whaanau Delivery Team. Meeting the needs of whaanau who are in Covid-19 Isolation, and families requiring food assistance. I have met people from all walks of life and enjoy connecting with them in fulfilling their basic needs in the home.

Krystle Ngawati - Whaanau Community Connector

Kia ora, I recently joined the Kootuitui whaanau in August 2022 as an employee but started as an volunteer early last year in 2021. After being a stay at home mum raising my 2 boys who are now both attending school, I felt it was time to get back into the workforce. I have lived in South Auckland my whole life, working various roles in warehouse work. In 2020 I studied at Te Wananga o Aotearoa, receiving my Level 4 Certificate in Bi-cultural Social Services. When I heard about Kootuitui, I loved the work they did in our community and within their cluster schools. I love connecting with people, helping out wherever I can and being linked to other organisations in our community.