The Team
Meet the Team
We have an awesome team behind E Tū Tāngata. Each one of them is helping to shift culture by bringing their wealth of experience, knowledge and passion.
Jay Geldard
E Tū Tāngata Co Founder
Chief Executive Officer / Pou Arataki
Jay has been involved in youth work since 2003 and is passionate about young people, their families and the communities they live in. He led 24-7 YouthWork for over 10 years and is an influential leader and strategic thinker. Jay is not one to walk away from challenges and flourishes on seeking solutions for impossible tasks. This leads to many whiteboard sessions as he loves to approach problems from an alternative perspective.
Jay is the Co Founder of E Tū Tāngata and is working with an amazing team to develop and implement this movement. Jay is excited to see how E Tū Tāngata can be utilised across New Zealand to create a culture where we stand together rather than pull each other down.
Jay is big in stature (6ft 8) but also carries a big heart for this nation. He is married to Nicky and has three amazing children.
Nicky Geldard
E Tū Tāngata Co Founder
Education Executive / Pou Mātauranga Matua
Nicky is intrigued by the formation of culture and the stories that shape us. She sees Tall Poppy Syndrome as a dominant narrative in Aotearoa; its negative impact has been felt for generations.
E Tū Tāngata provides us with the unique opportunity to choose a different path so instead of pulling ourselves and others down, we can affirm each person’s intrinsic worth. And that’s a story Nicky is keen to share with her own kids as well as the generations to come.
With 20 years experience in communications and education, Nicky considers it a privilege to work with schools to help change the story for all New Zealanders.
Phil hotter
Business Manager / Pou Whakahaere Pakihi
Phil has a varied background including stay-at-home dad, running a camp, starting a cafe, business analysis and software setup. With a business degree and a passion for systems working well to support operations, he aims to improve efficiency and freedom for the team.
Being married to a high school deputy principal (English teacher) with three children (high school and university age) and with experience in business and not-for-profit, he sees the need for E Tū Tāngata’s kaupapa across our society.
Kerrie-anna Tana
Cultural Advisor / Pou Tuarongo
He uri nō Te āti haunui a Pāpārangi, Te Whakatōhea, Tūhoe me Ngāpuhi.
Kerrie-Anna Tana has been working in the education sector for the past 15 years. She has taught te reo Māori at the University of Canterbury, tikanga Māori at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa and Māori Performing Arts at Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi.
Kerrie-Anna holds a Masters of Māori and Indigenous Leadership and is passionate about all facets of te ao Māori.
As Pou Tuarongo for E Tū Tāngata, Kerrie-Anna offers a te ao Māori perspective over the kaupapa as we endeavour to preserve the cultural integrity of this initiative.
Kim Shailer
Administrator / Pou Whakahaere Tari
Kim is a proud mum of two primary school–aged children, which gives her a deep connection to the kaupapa of E Tū Tāngata. She knows how important it is for tamariki to grow up in communities where they feel seen, encouraged, and celebrated. With a background in administration and a passion for supporting others, she brings strong organisational skills and a thoughtful, caring approach to her role as Administrator and PA. She is excited to contribute to the smooth running of the team, ensuring the mahi continues to thrive and the vision of E Tū Tāngata can reach more whānau and communities. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, keeping active through fitness, and spending time baking for family and friends.
Serena Paul
Resource Developer / Pou Waihanga Rauemi
Serena is studying Child and Family Psychology at the University of Canterbury while working for E Tū Tāngata.
Passionate about mental health, Serena loves working with young people to develop well-being and resilience. She brings several years of experience in youth work, youth leadership and leadership coordination.
Serena has lots of practice applying the principles of E Tū Tāngata to the educational context and is working on developing resources for the kete, focusing on evidence-based practice.
Outside of work, Serena enjoys staying active, whether on the netball court, hiking the Port Hills, or skiing in the Southern Alps. Her biggest passions are the outdoors, art, and hauora, and she loves when her work combines all of these things.
Dr Victoria LEGGeTT
Research Assistant / Pou Rangahau
Victoria completed her PhD in Education at the University of Canterbury in 2024. Her research focused on how young people in Aotearoa New Zealand experience happiness, and how their use of social media is associated with their sense of happiness. She has a background in educational psychology which informs her passion for better understanding the determinants of mental health and well-being in young people.
Victoria is a researcher funded by the John Templeton Foundation working alongside the University of Canterbury to investigate the impact that E Tū Tāngata has on schools and their communities. She believes that the core strands of E Tū Tāngata provide a powerful framework to make important changes in education systems and is excited by the potential it has for applications in wider society.
rain Byrne
Family Resource Developer / Pou Waihanga Rauemi
Rain recently graduated from the University of Canterbury with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Education and Sociology. Through her studies, she completed an internship with E Tū Tāngata and has since stayed on working with the team, developing resources for the kete.
Rain is passionate about working with neurodiverse tamariki and rangatahi, and understanding how education systems can best support all young people's outcomes in and outside of the classroom. This year alongside working at E Tū Tāngata, she has started working full time as a learning assistant at a local High School.
She loves the vision of E Tū Tāngata, and hopes to encourage its core principles in the lives of the children she works with.
Outside of work, Rain enjoys staying active and spending time outdoors amongst nature. You will often find her cooking for the people she loves, walking along the beach with a friend, or with her head stuck in a good book.
HOPE ANDERSON-GARDNER
Communications Lead / Pou Tohutohu Kōrero Matua
Hope recently graduated from the University of Canterbury with a Bachelor of Arts specialising in Society, Diversity and Change. During her studies, she has been a volunteer in the marketing team for student-run mental health charity, Lads without Labels, and is looking forward to bringing her experience to strengthen our socials, storytelling and online presence.
Hope is committed to multi-media storytelling that uplifts people and kaupapa across Aotearoa creating meaningful change in their communities.
Alongside her work with E Tū Tāngata, she has started her Masters of Arts in Māori and Indigenous Studies full time.
Cara Stuart
Graphic Designer / Pou Whakanikoniko
Cara takes care of the day-to-day design needs of E Tū Tāngata. Whether is designing a new resource for the Kete, creating diagrams to explain concepts, putting together information packs, you name it, Cara uses her 20+ years of design experience to bring the concepts and ideas to life in a way people can see, use and understand.
Shop Assistant
Dylan helps run our online shop, keeping the orders going out the door and all the stock organised.
dylan geldard
Catherine Stanton
Administrator Support / Pou Manaaki
Catherine is our admin go-to and loves the optimistic vibe that E Tū Tāngata stands for. She enjoys working alongside our passionate team. Catherine has a background in administration, accounts and volunteering in healthcare roles, which demonstrates her empathetic and thoughtful side. She has a fantastic thumbs-up attitude!
Catherine is a Cantabrian but has previously experienced life in Auckland and the Nelson regions. With Paul, she has 3 wonderful adult children who have now flown the nest. Catherine’s administrative role provides the necessary support to help this charity move forward, shine and bring positive influence.