The Moko Foundation Team
Our people working for our community
We have a team of highly skilled leaders and experts in their respective fields governing our organisation. Each of our team member brings a unique set of knowledge, skills, abilities and experience to the table and appreciates the shared responsibility they have to uphold our strategic direction.
Tracy Macfarlane
Founder & Trustee
Tracy Macfarlane
Founder & Trustee
The Moko Foundation was born from the generosity of New Zealanders who saw the need to support our communities. Our kaupapa is to provide opportunities and support to children, young people and their whanau. Living in a community where often needs aren’t met has given us the insight and knowledge into how best to support whanau.
Residing in the beautiful Rotorua area I am of Te Arawa whakapapa.
I am the mother of 7 beautiful children aged 10 to 26. I am proud of the wonderful humans they have become but realise that not all our children get the life and opportunities mine have. This is why creating the foundation means so much to me. Supporting our tamariki and their whanau is crucial to the prosperity of our country and through the generosity of New Zealanders we have been able to do our bit to contribute to this. I am passionate about children and young people and there resilience and drive to be great, however circumstances can often be overwhelming for this to happen. Our purpose is to offer innovative, cutting edge Health, Leadership and educational opportunities with the outcome being thriving communities. Our team is passionate and driven in its purpose and unapologetic in its mission.
In my spare time I like to read and spend quality time with whanau and friends and enjoy running around our beautiful lakes, keeping my tinana (body) and hinengaro (mind) healthy.
Oscar Nathan
Board Member
Oscar Nathan
Board Member
Jay McLaren Harris
Programme Manager / Board Member
Jay McLaren Harris
Programme Manager / Board Member
Jay is an experienced entrepreneur and joins the Moko Foundation from his previous role as CEO of Tumeke Enterprise Ltd. Jay comes from the Far North and enjoys spending time with family and friends. Travel, food and politics are his three favourite things to do.
Tia Ashby
National Operations Manager
Tia Ashby
National Operations Manager
Meremere Tanaya Paitai
Executive Assistant
Meremere Tanaya Paitai
Executive Assistant
Kia ora my name is Meremere Tanaya Paitai and I’m currently the executive assistant for the Moko Foundation.
I am the eldest of four siblings and am currently studying a bachelor of health science majoring in psychology at AUT. Being brought up in a small Māori community in Ahipara, being able to observe the inequities and disadvantages many Māori face in the healthcare system has influenced me to pursue a career which will positively affect the community overall.
In my spare time Ill either be found at the beach, either swimming, fishing or out on the boat and also out on hiking tracks, as there are many breath taking sceneries that Aotearoa has hidden away. My favourite colour would have to be green as it reminds me of Māori pounamu, and New Zealand outdoors.
Conor Watene O’Sullivan
Health Research Coordinator
Conor Watene O’Sullivan
Health Research Coordinator
I am the oldest of seven siblings, so growing up I knew what responsibility meant and how to manage crowds. My experience of growing up Māori within a community such as Kaitaia has given me the passion to want to do something meaningful with my career. I have always been fascinated with the many factors relating to health care and how we as a society strive to prioritise this for everyone, but in reality this is not the case. Therefore my passion lies with anything to do with Māori health, and I want to play my little part in seeing that improve.
Typical for someone who has grown up in the Far North, whenever I have free time all I want to do is go fishing, diving, surfing or simply be amongst the elements and this resonates with my favourite colour which is ocean blue.
Te Miringa O’Sullivan
iMoko Telehealth Aide
Te Miringa O’Sullivan
iMoko Telehealth Aide
I am the second oldest of 7 children. I have recently completed my Bachelor in Health Sciences from the University of Auckland. I am passionate about Māori health and in particular that of young children. In my spare time I enjoy exercising and spending time with friends and family.
Gdynia King (Giddy)
Digital Health Coordinator
Gdynia King (Giddy)
Digital Health Coordinator
I was born in Napier and raised in Gisborne Ngati Kahungungu/Ngati Porou and a few other Iwi but these are my main ones I follow.
I have 8 Tamariki total but 7 living and 3 Mokos. I’m also a single Mum. I am passionate about working with Tamariki and our Elderly people.
I love to spend time with my Tamariki and Mokos in my spare time, love travelling and fishing.
Brooke harrod
Administration Support
Brooke harrod
Administration Support
Kia ora, I’m Brooke Harrod I come from Ngāti Pikiao whakapapa.
I grew up in both Tamaki Makaurau & Tokoroa in the South Waikato. I have recently completed a Business and Leadership Diploma through The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand whist continuing to work full time.
I have also recently started my journey with learning Te reo Māori through night school. I am passionate about helping people and encouraging education in any ways possible.
In my spare time I like exploring, traveling, listening to podcasts, spending time with friends and exercising.
manaia Lewis-Wano
Youth Board Member
Manaia lewis Wano
Youth Board Member
Te Arawa, Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāi Tūhoe
Manaia Lewis-Wano is a year 13 student and prefect at Rotorua Girls High School. She is guided by the influences, teachings, and tikanga of her whānau, and te ao Māori.
Her future aspirations are to study towards a conjoint bachelor of Social Sciences with a Bachelor of Law, so she can further assist her hapu and Iwi in these specific areas of interest.
She stands by the whakatauākī “Hai aha au te mate noa ake i taku pākārito ka tupu” as it is a reminder of resilience and service, and to stay grounded in the face of big decisions.
Manaia is privileged to be a part of an amazing panel, and is excited to create positive impacts for rangatahi around Aotearoa.
Jordan Ogilvy Lapish
Youth Board Member
Jordan Ogilvy Lapish
Youth Board Member
Kia ora e te whānau!
I’m proud to be of Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Hinerangi, Te Rarawa, Ngāpuhi, and Ngāti Pākehā descent.
Originally from Tāmaki Makaurau, I now live and study in the beautiful city of Wellington where I’m working to complete a conjoint Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Māori Studies.
Mauri ora!
Cale Kupara Borell
Youth Board Member
Cale Kupara Borell
Youth Board Member
Born and raised in Tauranga Moana, currently studying in Tāmaki Makaurau at the University of Auckland a Bachelor of Law and Bachelor of Commerce conjoint degree.
Cale is involved with numerous community-based projects, initiatives and boards at a local and national level.
Cale is excited to join The Moko Foundation National Youth Board as a Board Member.
Tuhiwhakaura Wallace
Youth Board Member
Tuhiwhakaura Wallace-Ihakara
Youth Board Member
Ko te Aho Matua te tāhuhu ō tōku whare.
I’m 17 & Māori with a passion to make a change.
T.C Satele
Youth Board Member
T.C. Satele
Youth Board Member
T.C Satele is a year 13 at Hamilton Boys High School and long time youth advocate.
As a QTPOC most at risk to institutionalised discrimination, I’m specifically interested in how we can decolonize our education system and orient it toward a more indigenous, First Nations incentive – an issue I hope to raise during my tenure as Moko foundation member.
Julius Smith
Youth Board Member
Julius Smith
Youth Board Member
Kia Ora, my name is Julius Smith.
My hobbies include sports, automotive and eating.
I live in Bay of Plenty, Rotorua. My favourite kai is hāngi, boil up and fast foods.