Dominic is the project coordinator at The Kindness Institute. He's been a youth worker since 2013 and helped set up TKI. Dominic is a poet, author, and musician. He has released five critically acclaimed studio albums, two books of poetry, four short films, a one man show and a best-selling novel. In a former life, he was an MC battle- and slam-poetry champion. He’s performed his spoken-word poetry in Australia, Europe, England, Japan, and America. Meditation and yoga are important in Dominic’s life and he is passionate about sharing these tools to support positive mental health.

Ko Tainui te tupuna waka
Ko Tainui te iwi
Ko Ngati Hikairo te hapu
Ko Kawhia te moana
Ko Pirongia te maunga
Ko Waipapa te marae

Andy worked alongside The Kindness Institute for a number of years, helping with fundraising campaigns and marketing materials, before stepping into the Directors role. His background is in advertising, PR and production. He’s set on helping grow the presence and product of TKI to deliver our life-changing kaupapa to as many people as possible. It’s already been the most rewarding career move of his life and he’s thrilled to be involved with TKI.

Christine experienced the Atawhai programme in 2016 and feels incredibly lucky to still be involved. After graduating, she felt inspired, confident and genuinely happy. Having gained an interest in Mindfulness, Yoga and Te Ao Māori, she knows how beneficial these tools are as well as having a space like this for others. Christine's intention is to continue to learn, share and teach these practices with the Atawhai whānau and community.

He uri tēnei o Ngāti Awa, he herenga anō ki Iuropi.

Samantha is a teacher who specialises in offering simple mindfulness tools through a Te āo māori lens. She is passionate about sharing these tools to support wellbeing whilst encouraging a deeper connection to culture, land and people.

Her role within TKI enables her to guide rangatahi to recognise the potential they already have and using it to impact positive change in their lives

Ko Moehau te maunga
Ko Waihou te awa
Ko Ngāti Tamaterā te iwi
Ko Ngāti Kiriwera te hapu
Ko Brady tōku ingoa

Brady spent nearly two years volunteering for The Kindness Institute, working on fundraisers, marketing and driving rangatahi. After 10 years in advertising in Aotearoa and the UK, he felt compelled to come onboard to continue supporting our mahi in a more official capacity. He’s passionate about mindfulness, meditation and self-inquiry and feels blessed to be part of such an incredible organisation with such amazing people.

From an early career as a massage and wellbeing practitioner, to over a decade fundraising for not for profit children's health & wellbeing organisations and then in the arts, people have intentionally been at the centre of almost every role Emma has held across her career. A tauiwi māmā of two, with a commitment to te ao Māori and a passion for connecting people and causes, Emma was instantly drawn to the kaupapa of The Kindness Institute. She is excited to see her passions converge in this role, and to grow sustainable funding pathways to support TKI's mahi.

Alecia is an accountant that specialises in working with the creative industries. She is also a mother of two young children and a long practising yogi. She has personally seen the incredible effects of mindfulness and yoga with her own little ones, and believes strongly that all rangatahi should be introduced to these practises so they can manage the daily challenges of life and to give them the tools to navigate tough times in the best possible way. Alecia is thrilled to be able to support The Kindness Institute in their essential work, by providing advice and guidance on all matters financial.

Ko Tainui te Waka
Ko Whitireia me Rangituhi ngā maunga
Ko kenepuru te awa
Ko Raukawa te moana
Ko Ngati Toa Rangatira te Iwi
Ko Takapuwahia te MaraeKo Hunia Mackay tōku ingoa

Hunia was raised in Porirua but has lived in Tamaki Makaurau for nearly 30 years. He has worked in the field of education for over 25 years with a focus on supporting tamariki and rangatahi Māori and their whānau. He is passionate about Te reo Māori and tikanga. He is the proud father of 2 girls and partner to a strong wahine toa Kay Ellmers. Hunia currently works for a Non- profit organisation called VOYCE - whakarongo mai (an advocacy service for tamariki and rangatahi of the state). He joined the board of TKI in 2020. Utilising the teaching of his ancestors as tools to finding a state of balance has always been a part of Hunia’s life and sharing this with others is an honour and a privilege.

Kristina is a Coach and Educator, specialising in Mindfulness, Yoga & stress reduction. Her background is in education, leadership, not for profit management, public speaking and fundraising. For more about Kristina, click here.

Nikki is a commercial/corporate lawyer who works within organisations across a range of industries. She’s also an author, yoga teacher, mother and long time yoga and meditation practitioner. Nikki has been a legal advisor to the Kindness Institute since its inception. She’s grateful to be able to combine her professional skills and experience with her love of yoga for the benefit of our rangatahi.

Ko Mōkau ki runga
Ko Tāmaki ki raro
Ko Mangatoatoa ki waenganui
Pare Hauraki, Pare Waikato
Te kaokaoroa-o-Pātetere ki te nehenehenui
Tau ana!

Tēnā tātou katoa, ko Te Aorangi-Kowhai tōku ingoa. He raukura ahau nō Te Kura Kaupapa, ā, kua waimaria hoki ahau ki tōku reo me ōku tikanga Māori.

During my time on the Atawhai programme I have had many opportunities to learn life skills and even meet amazing people along the way! I started my journey as a Rangatahi on the Atawhai programme. After a couple years I became a Tuakana and now I have the privilege of working with our new Rangatahi as a Mentor.

Not only do I get to work with our Rangatahi and teach tools that I was once taught, but I also get to work behind the scenes with our TKI board to represent the youth of our kaupapa.

Charlette has spent almost two years volunteering as a Grants Writer for The Kindness Institute and is passionate about the mahi we do. A trained yoga teacher and lawyer, Charlette has respect for the body and the mind. Acknowledging the youth mental health crisis in Aotearoa and determined to help see better health outcomes for rangatahi, she continues to work closely with our rōpū to secure the funding needed to run our programmes.

Carl has worked in film and television as a sound designer and occasional actor and writer. He is currently a full-time software developer and Dad to three young boys.

Having experienced the benefits of mindfulness in his own life, he is inspired by Kristina’s vision and the ongoing mahi done by the Kindness Institute to improve young lives.