STAFF SPOTLIGHT
Our Story
De King
Irish born, bred and buttered, De found herself on the fair shores of Aotearoa. The year was 1994, a kiwi partner and two small children in tow and life unfolded in the kiwi / Irish way.
De joined the Trust Whanau in 2018, With a background in social work, the Mental health sector, Family support services and Farming!
The opportunity to align this seemingly mismatched skillset came to fruition when the Team Leader/Farm Manager position came available early this Year, at our Wharepoa site.
Each and every day brings something new and sometimes unusual, which makes for a very fulfilling and thoroughly enjoyable environment in which to work.
Our Life Stylers sit at the heart of all that occurs within the Trust, and it is this that informs and moulds our way forward.
Paula Styles
I’ve worked in several areas across the Trust and have a lot of fond memories. The highlights would be the Life Stylers, they taught me how to look after them and when I grasped that, it was amazing! With life, also comes end of life journeys for some of our Life Stylers. The Trust for our Life Stylers is their “Home for Life” I felt it was a true “gift” and “blessing” to support our Life Stylers through their journey’s. Although it “broke my heart”, I learnt to settle into it, it was a heart centred experience.
The Life Stylers have taught me, given me more and have made me who I am today.
Murray Thomas
I was born in Thames and have lived here all my life. In 1978 my wife and I purchased our Milk Delivery Business and were awarded Fonterra’s Franchisee of the Year in 2003. During my time delivering milk to the Trust I met a few Life Stylers and also while I was a Gliding Instructor at the Hauraki Aero Club and some Life Stylers were my passengers.
In 2004 while I was delivering milk in Pak n Save I was talking with Murray Lynds who was one of the Co-Founders of the Trust. Murray Lynds knew we were selling our business and said ‘Come and work for us because we are yummy’. It’s a statement that has stayed with me all these years.
I have covered many roles here at the Trust and these include working onsite, night shift, recreation support and this involved camping, biking, canoeing and fishing. I have also worked several years on the farm. I am currently working with a group of independent Life Stylers.
My wife and I have invested in two of the Trust properties. I have been involved in supporting Special Olympics for the past 12 years.
This can be a fun role, just add some patience, energy, skill and experience. I am proud to say I work at The Supported Life Style Hauraki Trust.