National Office
Corrina Gestro-Best
Tumuaki | Director
P +64 21 953 369
E corrina.gestro-best@ako.ac.nz
Dr Joseph Te Rito
Kaihautū Mātauranga Māori (Deputy Director Māori)
M +64 021 715 747
E joseph.terito@ako.ac.nz
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
Helen Lomax
Senior Strategic Lead, Ako Aotearoa Transition
E helen.lomax@ako.ac.nz
John Milne
Senior Advisor Professional Learning
P +64 4 979 3125
E john.milne@ako.ac.nz
Alexia Tuhi
Executive Assistant to Director / Executive Assistant to Deputy Director, Māori
E ea.director@ako.ac.nz / alexia.tuhi@ako.ac.nz
Catherine Leech
Senior Communications and Marketing Advisor
P +64 4 979 3128
E catherine.leech@ako.ac.nz
Gabriel Bush
Communications and Marketing Coordinator
E gabriel.bush@ako.ac.nz
Kate Vernon
Finance Administrator
P +64 3 364 2504
E kate.vernon@ako.ac.nz
Alexis Smith
National Administrator
P +6449793427
E alexis.smith@ako.ac.nz
Dr Parisa Saadat
Research Programme Coordinator
E parisa.saadat@ako.ac.nz
Louise Kotzé
Administrator
E louise.kotze@ako.ac.nz
Chris Smiley
Web Content and Technology Advisor
E chris.smiley@ako.ac.nz
Northern Hub
Ruth Peterson
Sector Services Manager | Northern
M +64 21 943 490
E ruth.peterson@ako.ac.nz
Dr Marvin Hao Wu
Programme Manager, Research and Innovation
M +64 21 242 4190
E marvin.wu@ako.ac.nz
Central Hub
Christina Crews
Sector Services Manager & Learning Technologies Assistant Advisor
P +64 6 951 9218
E christina.crews@ako.ac.nz
Southern Hub
Jennifer Leahy
Sector Services Manager | Southern
P +64 3 364 2500
M +64 21 748 496
E jennifer.leahy@ako.ac.nz
Saba Azeem
Evaluation Advisor
E saba.azeem@ako.ac.nz
Manako
Dr Mei Winitana
Kaiwhakahaere Māori Cultural Capability
E mei.winitana@ako.ac.nz
Pale Sauni
Pacific Priorities and Cultural Leader
E pale.sauni@ako.ac.nz
Saylene Ulberg
Pacific Cultural Advisor
E saylene.ulberg@ako.ac.nz
Dr Damon Whitten
Professional Learning and Development Consultant
E damon.whitten@ako.ac.nz
Graeme Smith
Professional Learning and Development Consultant
E graeme.smith@ako.ac.nz
Annette van Lamoen
Professional Learning and Development Consultant
E annette.vanlamoen@ako.ac.nz
Annette Tofaeono
Senior Advisor | Foundation Learning
E annette.tofaeono@ako.ac.nz
Michael Grawe
Professional Learning and Development Consultant
E michael.grawe@ako.ac.nz
Barrie Vigar
Manako Learning Support Administrator
E barrie.vigar@ako.ac.nz
Graeme Read
Manako Programme Manager
P +64 6 951 9219
E graeme.read@ako.ac.nz
Vicky Beckwith
Manako Principal Advisor
M 021 243 3604
E vicky.beckwith@ako.ac.nz