Huia O’Sullivan
Executive director
Huia has been working with Ngā Rangatahi Toa since 2016, first as director of engagement. She became executive director in 2018. The best thing about Huia’s job is that she’s surrounded by people striving for a better world. Her background is in positive youth development, statuary organisations, kaupapa Māori, and community development. Now she focuses on strengthening Ngā Rangatahi Toa’s whanau relationships and taking the organisation’s programmes to as many rangatahi as possible.
Sarah Longbottom
Sarah Longbottom is the Founder of Ngā Rangatahi Toa. She is a creative thinker, social entrepreneur and disruptive educator who believes in the power positive risk-taking and truth-telling. She has spent over a decade as a leader in education, youth work and creative arts’ facilitation. Sarah is playing a key role in the national development of alternative education so that our most under-served rangatahi can fulfil their potential, feel connected and contribute fully.
An alumnus of the US Department of State IVLP program, Sarah has been recognised nationally and internationally, for her leadership in education and empowerment through creativity. Most recently Sarah was awarded the New Zealand International Woman of Courage Award by the US Department of State and the New Zealand Embassy of the United States of America. Sarah was a 2013 Vodafone World of Difference recipient, and Next Magazine Woman of the Year finalist for 2015. In 2018, Sarah stepped into an advisory role at Ngā Rangatahi Toa.
Jess McCabe
Jess McCabe is our Counselor. She says I’m inspired by my mum because of her strength. She raised me as a single mother, whilst kicking ass as a high-powered business woman. She also has exceptional taste, fine wit and is a super talented gardener. Jess adores the beautiful rangatahi and the connections that are made with them through this organization. She equally loves and appreciates her NRT colleagues because they are some of the coolest humans she has had the pleasure of meeting and working alongside. The NRT whānau is the best whānau I could ask for…I’ve found my flock, my pride, my pack.
Stephanie Ikinofo
Stephanie Ikinofo is our beautiful yoga and mindfulness teacher and she works with us throughout the year during Takatū and Manawa Ora.
Sivan Nathan
Sivan Nathan is the Fundraising and Strategy Volunteer at NRT. She is a highly capable young woman who juggles working with us, her law degree, and other amazing opportunities she has created for herself. She is inspired by people who push boundaries, and loves challenging people’s perceptions of what is possible. She believes you create your own life. Sivan is a treasured member of the NRT family.
Lucie Blaze
Lucie came to New Zealand in 2014, and got involved with NRT when she began volunteering as the graphic designer. She has single handedly created the NRT brand, and is responsible for the design aesthetic in all our projects and marketing. Now Lucie is also an artist mentor during Manawa Ora. Lucie passionately believe that working with the rangatahi to discover their potential also impacts on her own practice and creativity. She appreciates the honesty and realness of NRT. “It’s not very often that you can be who you are, and feel safe about it.”
Richard Longbottom
Joining the Ngā Rangatahi Toa team as a consultant in January 2015, Richard brings with him experience as an arts’ practitioner and executive manager, and an enduring passion for innovative education. A graduate of New Zealand School of Dance and former dancer with the Royal New Zealand Ballet, Richard currently works as community engagement director of Co3, the Contemporary Dance Company of Western Australia. Based in Australia since 2010, he has worked in many roles in the Australian dance sector, including general manager at Tasdance and has served on a number of Australia Council for the Arts panels. In 2007, Richard graduated from the University of Canterbury with Honours in Sociology, a Masters Scholarship, and a University of Canterbury Prize for Academic Achievement.