Our Team

Our head office is located in Wellington at Massey University’s campus. Contact the head office team to speak with our National Director, Helen Lomax, or to any of our head office staff.

We have people spread across three regional hubs in Auckland, Palmerston North, and Christchurch. They’re available to answer your questions or talk with you about the services offered in your region.

If you need a hand, or would just like to chat with someone, we're happy to help. 

National Office

Helen Lomax

Helen Lomax

Tumuaki | Director

E helen.lomax@ako.ac.nz

ako staff profile joe te rito

Dr Joseph Te Rito

Kaihautū Mātauranga Māori (Deputy Director Māori)

M +64 021 715 747

E joseph.terito@ako.ac.nz

ako staff profile jill-tanner lloyd

Jill Tanner-Lloyd

National communications and marketing manager

P +64 4 979 3431

M +64 21 423 779

E jill.tanner-lloyd@ako.ac.nz

John Milne

John Milne

Senior Advisor Professional Learning

P +64 4 979 3125

E john.milne@ako.ac.nz

AKO Staff Profiles Alexia Tuhi

Alexia Tuhi

Executive Assistant to Director / Executive Assistant to Deputy Director, Māori

E ea.director@ako.ac.nz / alexia.tuhi@ako.ac.nz

ako staff profile Catherine-leech

Catherine Leech

Senior Communications and Marketing Advisor

P +64 4 979 3128

E catherine.leech@ako.ac.nz

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Corrina Gestro-Best

National Business Manager

P +64 4 979 3129

E corrina.gestro-best@ako.ac.nz

Gabriel Bush

Gabriel Bush

Communications Coordinator

E gabriel.bush@ako.ac.nz

AKO Staff Profile Chris Smiley

Chris Smiley

Web Content and Technology Advisor

E chris.smiley@ako.ac.nz

Ako Staff Profile Kate Vernon

Kate Vernon

Finance Administrator

P +64 3 364 2504

E kate.vernon@ako.ac.nz

ako staff profile Alexis Smith

Alexis Smith

National Administrator

P +6449793427

E alexis.smith@ako.ac.nz

Ako_Aotearoa_staff

Dr Parisa Saadat

Research Programme Coordinator

E parisa.saadat@ako.ac.nz

Northern Hub

Ako Staff Profile Ruth Peterson

Ruth Peterson

Sector Services Manager | Northern

M +64 21 943 490

E ruth.peterson@ako.ac.nz

Ako Aotearoa Marvin Wu

Dr Marvin Hao Wu

Programme Manager, Research and Innovation

M +64 21 242 4190

E marvin.wu@ako.ac.nz

Central Hub

AKO Christina Crews

Christina Crews

Sector Services Manager & Learning Technologies Assistant Advisor

P +64 6 951 9218

E christina.crews@ako.ac.nz

Southern Hub

Ako staff profile Jennifer Leahy

Jennifer Leahy

Sector Services Manager | Southern

P +64 3 364 2500

M +64 21 748 496

E jennifer.leahy@ako.ac.nz

Saba 2

Saba Azeem

Evaluation Advisor

E saba.azeem@ako.ac.nz

Manako

ako staff profile Mei Winitana

Dr Mei Winitana

Kaiwhakahaere Māori Cultural Capability

E mei.winitana@ako.ac.nz

ako staff profile Pale Sauni

Pale Sauni

Pacific Priorities and Cultural Leader

E pale.sauni@ako.ac.nz

ako staff profile Saylene Ulberg

Saylene Ulberg

Pacific Cultural Advisor

E saylene.ulberg@ako.ac.nz

ako staff profile Damon Whitten

Dr Damon Whitten

Professional Learning and Development Consultant

E damon.whitten@ako.ac.nz

ako staff profile Graeme Smith

Graeme Smith

Professional Learning and Development Consultant

E graeme.smith@ako.ac.nz

Ako Aotearoa Staff Profiles Annette van Lamoen

Annette van Lamoen

Professional Learning and Development Consultant

E annette.vanlamoen@ako.ac.nz

AKO Staff Profile Annette Tofaeono

Annette Tofaeono

Senior Advisor | Foundation Learning

E annette.tofaeono@ako.ac.nz

Ako Aotearoa Michael Grawe

Michael Grawe

Professional Learning and Development Consultant

E michael.grawe@ako.ac.nz

Ako Staff Profile Barrie Vigar

Barrie Vigar

Manako Learning Support Administrator

E b.vigar@ako.ac.nz

Ako staff profile Graeme Read

Graeme Read

Manako Programme Manager

P +64 6 951 9219

E graeme.read@ako.ac.nz

Ako staff profile Vicky Beckwith

Vicky Beckwith

Manako Principal Advisor

M 021 243 3604

E vicky.beckwith@ako.ac.nz