Meet the Duffy Team
IN THE OFFICE
Linda Vagana - General Manager
09 259 5691
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Linda is our General Manager and has been with Duffy for 18 years. She is very community driven and loves working for Duffy because she can directly support communities and their young people to succeed. Linda has a real passion for being able to be a part of uplifting young people to succeed in general life.
At Duffy, Linda is responsible for the wider team, building and managing relationships with stakeholders, funding partners and supporters as well as implementing our strategic plan and mission successfully. Linda sees Duffy as part of the puzzle of providing wrap-around support for children and their families for equity across whanau and communities nationwide.
Outside of work, Linda lends a hand anywhere that supports empowering young and Pasefika peoples to thrive so whanau, church and sporting communities or events are mostly where you will find her.
David Rumney - Production Manager
09 259 5696
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David has been with us for nearly 10 years, starting out as an actor in our Duffy Theatre shows before taking over as Production Manager at the end of 2013.
He organises and supports our school show actors and communicate with schools and stakeholders. He’s also our ‘go to’ IT person in the office.
When David’s not at work, he likes acting, stockcar racing as well as football and basketball.
Michelle Macefield - Accounts Administrator
09 259 5695
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Michelle has been with us for 20 years working on all things financial. She does all our accounts and invoicing. On Michelle’s first day, she remembers a former Duffy staffer saying that this would be the best job she’d ever have – and it definitely is!
In her spare time, Michelle loves travelling around NZ with her husband in their motorhome – a nice change from weekends being tied up with rugby, touch or athletics when her boys were younger. Her favourite place is Kai Iwi Lakes in Northland.
Rachael Vagana - Programme Manager: Schools and ECE
09 259 5693
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Rachael Vagana is our Programmes Manager for our Schools and ECE centres. She has been with Duffy for nearly 16 years and loves working here and enjoys being able to help and support the amazing Duffy kids and their families. Rachael says: “When I was in sixth form, for English one of the assessments was to choose a NZ author. I chose Alan Duff and presented on him as a person, an author, his books (which later turned into movies), and the organization he had started to “Break the booklessness in homes” I was in awe of his work and loved what he believed!
In her spare time, Rachael loves and appreciates family time with her hubby and 3 kids. She enjoys watching and supporting her almost 11 year old boy play rugby on Saturday mornings (Up the Mu!), and loves walking (especially at the beach!). Rachael loves a good sunrise, so always tries to get out early so she can enjoy it while she walks.
Jacqui Whyte - Programme Coordinator: Role Models and E-Library for Yr 7 and 8
Jacqui has been with us for almost 25 years and has experienced first-hand the benefits of the programme with all her three children attending Duffy School Bailey Road in Aucklands Mount Wellington. Jacqui is the Role Model Coordinator for schools outside of AKL/Northland and her role involves finding inspirational people to talk at school assemblies twice yearly. Jacqui believes you’re never too young to have a dream and the Role Models she finds play a part in this by planting the seeds for future achievers. Jacqui is now based in Katikati and represents at our Duffy Schools in the wider Bay of Plenty/Waikato region.
Outside of the office, she loves spending time with family & friends which usually involves cooking up a storm and watching sports.
Crystal Finau - Events Coordinator
Crystal is our Events Coordinator and she creates and supports the wider team and organisation with events. She also coordinates matching Role Models to talk to Duffy schools at assemblies twice a year. Crystal came to work at Duffy as she wanted to get back into our communities and be a part of something that could make a difference.
Outside of work she enjoys hanging out, eating out and travelling with her whanau. She’s currently training for a half marathon and loves having new experiences.
Trina Isaako: Administration Support
09 259 5694
Email
Trina has been with us for 2 years now and looks after all of the general administration as well as working closely with the office team to ensure everything runs smoothly. She also supports the different communities that are part of the Duffy Books in Homes program.
Trina loves working for Duffy because the core message of the programme, ‘Inspiring a love of books in Duffy children so they become adults who inspire a love of reading’ is one that she truly believes in. An avid reader herself, Trina has seen and experienced first hand the opportunities that reading can offer, and enjoys being able to be a part of a team that supports children all over the country so they are able to unlock that opportunity for themselves.
In her free time, Trina enjoys working out - she has just joined a Crossfit gym and is absolutely loving it! She’s also brilliant on the end of a camera, and you’ll often find her photographing individuals and families as well as local events.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Kevin Drinkwater
Chairman
Alan Duff
Trustee
Bruce Plested
Trustee
Tone Kolose
Trustee
Libby Limbrick
Trustee
Carl George
Trustee
Bryan Curtis
Trustee
Kevin Drinkwater
Chairman
Alan Duff
Trustee
Bruce Plested
Trustee
Tone Kolose
Trustee
Libby Limbrick
Trustee
Carl George
Trustee
Bryan Curtis
Trustee