MEET OUR TEAM
Get to know Our Team, Our Herd and Board Members.
Laura
Lead Kaiako
Ko Aoraki te maunga te rū nei taku ngākau.
Ko Arahura te awa e mahea nei aku māharahara.
Nō Tāmaki Makaurau me Rīwhitana āhau.
Ko Airihi me Kōtimana me Ingarihi ōku iwi.
E mihi ana ki ngā tohu nehe, o Taranaki e noho nei au.
Ko Laura Menzies taku ingoa.
Kia ora, I'm Laura the Lead Kaiako. My passion in life is supporting rangatahi to realise just how amazing they are. I love seeing their self worth and confidence soar as they build a partnership with their hōiho and fine tune their leadership skills. Listening to rangatahi share how they are applying the HHH breathing and body language tools in their everyday lives blows my mind. I feel so proud of the way our magical herd of hōiho help and empower these incredible rangatahi and I'm forever grateful to our amazing team of kaiako, our board of trustees and the Taranaki community for supporting us.
Nic aka Sifter
Assistant Kaiako
Hey I'm Nic 'Sifter' Jenkins and I like this picture because it shows my Yogi beaming through. I'm a collector of records and love music. I am of mostly mix of European Welsh but do have Māori ancestors. I'm 5th generation Kiwi. People will describe me as reserved, humble, honest. I like HHH because I can teach young people calming techniques.
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Lou
Assistant Kaiako
Ko Louise ahau, my name is Louise but you can call me Lou. I was born in the south island in a small rural town called Southbridge, on the east coast between Taumutu on the banks of Lake Waihora and the mouth of the Raikaia River. It was an outdoor lifestyle where community was king and I grew up with my mates free ranging over surrounding farms, the lake and the river where everyone's home was open to everyone else! I moved to Taranaki for work in my mid twenties. I fell in love with the land, the mountain, the forest, rivers and sea and never left. My two, now adult, kids were born and raised here. I have always loved horses and found being with them and in nature healing! I started with HHH in early 2022 - I love working with the horses and the community and being outdoors - all the things I loved as a kid!! I find the HHH program and being with the horses healing (and fun!) I hope you will too. Ka kite ano.
Tayla
Assistant Kaiako
My Name is Tayla! I am born and raised in Taranaki! When I’m not at HHH I am vet nursing! When I am not working I love being outdoors with my dog or hanging out with friends! I have always loved animals and especially horses from a young age. I love being apart of HHH, seeing the way every person builds a relationship with each of the horses is very special.
Rebecca
Assistant Kaiako
I have lived in Taranaki my whole life, I grew up on a dairy farm and from a young age I’ve had a passion for horses. From doing the HHH course to working at HHH I have gained alot of confidence especially in myself (My favorite horse to work with is Macey)
Casey
Assistant Kaiako / Stablehand
Kia ora, I’m Casey. Originally from the Kapiti Coast, I moved to Taranaki with my daughter about six years ago to start fresh and be closer to whanau. We absolutely love the beautiful blend of coastal and rural life here. Horses have always been my life's true love so I’ve really loved working with the amazing Horses Helping Humans herd over the last year and am now very excited to be joining the team of facilitators! I'm already really loving witnessing the amazing growth in confidence, beautiful moments and bonds that people experience with this very special program.
Our Herd
Macey
Macey is our celebrity who featured on TVNZ Breakfast! She is a Kaimanawa and grew up in the wild until she was mustered as a two year old. She is responsive to even the most subtle body language cues, so her handlers have to be very clear when communicating with her so that she doesn’t get confused. Macey is dominant in the herd and is like a mother hen to the miniature ponies, keeping them safe and making sure no one plays up. She’s has a calming presence and loves cuddles and scratches, especially on her bum! She’s also been known to have a roll in the arena when she’s feeling really safe. Macey is a confident Larry personality.
Basil
Our Yogi pony Basil is world famous in Taranaki, he may be small but in his mind he is HUGE. Basil loves socialising with humans and horses, he loves being centre of attention and he is very cheeky with a great sense of humour. You can’t force Basil to do anything he doesn’t want to do, his handlers have to make tasks varied and fun so to keep him motivated. He LOVES to jump and is great at motivating the other ponies to play with him in the paddock. Basil teaches his handlers the super power of energy control.
Lily
Lily is a very intuitive, wise, spiritual soul. She is our Mindy. She has had a rough life, so she is extremely empathetic towards others experiences and sensitive towards their energy. Lily teaches her handler how to communicate in a very gentle and calm manner whilst still being able to maintain boundaries. She has a beautiful heart and has been describe by our kaiako as the “most healing” of the herd. She is one in a million, but watch out her cheekily sneaking away to find the bag of carrots! Lily is kindly on loan to us by the amazing Nadine.
Reggie
Reggie loves cuddles and is usually the first one to come and say hi in the paddock (or come into the house!) He is very affectionate and incredibly stubborn if there is grass around that he wants to eat! Reggie’s antics strengthen his handlers patience and their ability setting boundaries with others. He’s a bundle of fun who thrives under clear direction and consistent boundaries. Once his handler establishes these with him, then he’s very willing to please. Reggie loves playing with the equine ball (as long as it’s rolling away from him!), swimming and hanging at the beach. He's a Mindy/Yogi personality. Rumour has it that he and Lily are having a secret love affair but don't tell Basil!
Lola
Lola is sensitive, empathetic, but very sassy, she certainly keeps Basil and Reggie in line! She is very intelligent and likes tasks to be fun and mentally stimulating. She is also very expressive if she disagrees with you. Lola teaches her handler how to communicate in with a calm but assertive energy. She is a Sunny/Yogi personality. She is a fun loving soul who is on loan to us by the incredible Nichole.
Creed
Creed is such a character, he’s loves affection, getting his gums rubbed and being the centre of attention. He has a great sense of humour eg picking Brandie’s feed bucket up and trying to carry it away from her while her head is still in it eating, or pulling out my pig tail fencing around the paddock. Creed will always bring a smile to your face with his antics. He is extremely bossy towards the other horses but so gentle around small children. Creed is a Sunny/Yogi cross and he teaches his handler how to stand in their mana and be the leader. In his past life, Creed raced as a pacer and was trained by Diamond Racing Stables, he then went to Stable to Stirrup to adjust to life after racing and we are so grateful to them for gifting him to us.
Rum
Rum is gentle, affectionate and he loves giving people kisses! Don’t be fooled by his small size, he is very intelligent and can be strong willed when there is grass around! He also knows how to wind up Reggie and Basil when he wants to have some fun. He enjoys having quiet hangouts with Lily (who he absolutely adores!) and also racing around the track playing with Basil and Reggie. Rum teaches his handler the super power of remaining in strong, calm, assertive stance, especially when walking past the grass! Rum is on loan to us from the lovely Lynnere.
Our Board Members
Scott Ireland
Treasurer
Scott is a director/owner of local accounting firm Schurr & Ireland CA Ltd. Scott formed the company in 2015, after previously working in banking for three years with ANZ bank and 7 years with Baker Tilly Staples Rodway before that. He loves his business and is proud of the near 40 staff and 3
director firm it has become. Scott has a passion for the local Taranaki community and has had
several roles in clubs and not for profits over the years. This particular charity resonates with Scott
and he in particular loves the outcomes the programme has been able to achieve for at risk Taranaki
youth.
Christine Goodin
Trustee
I am Christine Goodin, retired, married to Steak Goodin QSM for 52 years and have 6 adult children. All with partners and there are 13 grandchildren, so we are surrounded by whānau who are somewhat worldly and keep us informed. Steak and I were Oranga Tamariki caregivers for over 40 years and have had much experience with troubled young people as well. Steak was a founding member of S.T.A.R.T Taranaki. We had those clients live with us and work on our dairy farm for many years. In 1997 we helped bring Life Education Trust to Taranaki and have since helped raise $200,000 annually for the charity. I have much experience in fundraising and I am currently a National Board Member with a NZ Life Membership for Life Education NZ. It has been most rewarding Helping Horses Helping Humans Taranaki, Hōiho Hāpai Hapori, come to fruition and seeing the outcomes this programme is achieving for the participants.
David Mackenzie
Trustee
My name is David Ian MacKenzie. I am employed by the New Zealand Police Department as a Police Sergeant and have been a Police Officer for 37 years. I am married to Anita, a local physiotherapist and have three adult daughters. My current position is that of a Senior Prosecutor working principally out of the New Plymouth District court. In my policing career I have held various positions in both the CIB, General Duties and administrative areas. Due to this experience, I have seen the devastating, lifelong effects that those born into a life of disadvantage can experience. As such, I was attracted to a programme such as HHH where the participants can be offered a positive learning experience, where the skills learned will improve the wellbeing of vulnerable young people.
Gemma Chambers
Chairperson
Hi I’m Gemma, I have been working with young people in educational settings for the past 20 years becoming a specialist in inclusive education and nature school. I am so excited that I can combine a passion for well being and a love of horses and joined HHH. After a fall took my confidence from riding I’m loving reconnecting with the horses and the amazing staff and thrilled to be able to offer support, laughter and love to the beautiful people we work with.
Janet Wrightson Lean
Trustee
Kia ora, my name is Janet Wrightson Lean. It is my privilege to be part of the HHH whānau in Taranaki and support the incredible mahi of the facilitators and trustees. I have been involved with community organisations, in a variety of voluntary roles all of my adult life and I don't see that changing any time soon! My 'paid' work has been in the International Department at Spotswood College for eighteen amazing years ... I am fortunate to be able to say that it never really felt like a job! More recently I have moved into an administration role in Te Waka Manaaki, the High & Complex Needs area of the school and cut back to three days a week.... to hopefully spend more time with our four adult children, their partners, seven grandchildren and their dogs that make up our whānau. Happy days!
Judge Lynne Harrison
Patron
I am a District Court Judge, residing in New Plymouth. I am found mostly in the Family Court, but I also preside in the Youth Court and the Criminal Court. After 23 years practising family law, I was appointed to the Bench. What has grabbed my attention is the high rate of our young offenders who have underlying neuro-disabilities. Conditions such as FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder), ADHD, brain injury through trauma and the like. Around 2016, I went to Gwinganna, a Wellness Retreat on the Gold Coast. I participated in a group session that involved a horse and Sue Spence, the founder of Horses Helping Humans. It was a very simple technique to demonstrate communication skills. Sue mentioned that she offered her programme to the Youth Justice sector in Queensland. I decided we needed her programme in Taranaki. Bridget Burke, a lawyer and now Chairperson of Horses Helping Taranaki Youth, had by chance, attended Gwinganna and Sue’s session. That was all I needed to start exploring the possibility of bringing the programme to Taranaki. My goal is to provide a meaningful programme for our youth justice participants and ultimately for all Taranaki youth who present with difficult and challenging behaviours.
Emma Davies
Secretary
Kia Ora. My name is Emma Davies. I am a first generation New Zealander and grew up in New Plymouth. I am a Mum of two adult daughters who inspire me every day to be the best person I can be. I always wanted to ride horses and at age 10 my parents relented and allowed me to start riding. Horses have been the anchor in my life since then. I became involved with thoroughbred racing when I was 15 and have made my career in this industry. The horse who influenced me, and taught me more about communicating with horses was a horse named Kawi who was for a time, the best horse in New Zealand. He now lives out his days with his breeders Steak, patron of HHH and board member Christine Goodin. Horses have no ego, they ask nothing of us yet they give us so much. I am privileged to be a part of HHH and, as a new Board member. I look forward to seeing HHH continue to deliver a quality program to youth in Taranaki.
John “Steak” Goodin, QSM
Patron
Recently appointed Patron of HHH.
Involved in establishing S.T.A.R.T Taranaki as an early Board member.
Received QSM and Paul Harris Fellow Awards for Services to Community.
Life Member of New Zealand Life Education Trust.
Life Member of Ōkato Squash Club.
Received awards for:
Services to NZ Thoroughbred Racing
Services to Sacred Heart College Auckland
Services to Catholic Church Taranaki
Services to Dame Malvina Major Foundation Taranaki.
Ngahina Wharehoka
Trustee
Coming soon...