"Working Together for the COMMON-UNITY"
Our Team
Rouruina Emil'e-Brown
Chief Executive
I was welcomed into the Trust with all the hopes and aspirations of making a difference by working with the Cook Islands Community. I’ve stayed on, now over 11 years because I believe in the vision our leader set 21 years ago, that communities who work, share and cooperate their resources, skills and knowledge together will prosper.
I love the people who work here and the families who inspire me every day with their giving hearts, their creativity and willingness to do amazing things to build their families future in this country. My dream is for us to be sustainable and successful across our entire national focus areas of, [joining together, cooperatively working, business and enterprise, and investing in ourselves], that our families are more confident and ready contributors in New Zealand society, and that we have a strong innovative national governing board at the helm of our development steady and unafraid to shape the system that enables a progressive, proud and knowledgeable working together community leading us all into a prosperous future.
Letina Andrew
Operations Administrator
Janet Akai
Special Projects & Design
Kia Orana, I am a Cook Islander who was born and raised here in New Zealand residing in Mangere.
Together with my Husband Thomas Andrew we have four beautiful children, Vanessa (12), Jarome (11), Drake (9) and Thomas Jnr (7). I am grateful for the opportunity to be the Operations Administrator for an organisation like CIDANZ who value the minds of families and individuals to build their dreams. Since I started here in October 2020, I have been inspired by the amazing people who work in it and the community they help serve. I hope that my time here, with my 4 years of business administrator experience will help to support the team and our community grow. I do hope I get to pick up on the reo too, so I can get to teach my children the language as well.
I look forward to meeting and watching new and past entrepreneurs who inspire me with their amazing ideas grow for our future. Surround yourself with like minded people and watch your goals prosper.
Kia Orana,
I was born in Aitutaki, raised between home and Atiu, moving to New Zealand in 1998. I became immersed in the Kiwi-culture and in a large way, lost a piece of my cultural identity. Being in this organisation has allowed me to regain some of that identity and at the same time, has opened my eyes to the challenges our communities face. Previously I’d been studying at AUT University and working at Auckland Council. Those valued experiences have helped me thrive in CIDANZ.
It has been nine years since the first day (2014) I’d walked into this organisation, and since then I’ve gained a better understanding of myself and our people. I’ve stayed on because not only do I believe in the vision and values of this organisation, but because I feel that I owe it to my community to apply my learned knowledge into the development of our people. I hope that when I do move on from this place that it’ll come to be known by all as the home of our Cook Islands culture, and act as the catalyst that secures and gathers our people in one place.
Phiipi 4:13 E tika iaku te au mea ravarai nei, i te mesia ko tei akamaroiroi mai iaku.
Phillipians 4:13 I can do all things thru Christ who strengthens me
Kia iOrana tatou ite aroa ranuinuio o to tatou Atua ko Iesu Mesia. Ko toku Ingoa ko Anthony Tou toku metuavaine no Mitiaro mai toku metuatane no Vaka Puaikura e Enuamanu.
A little bit about my background i was born here in Auckland NZ however raised on the island of Nukuroa, travelling back to NZ frequently. I attended Nukutere College and gained a scholarship to further my secondary schooling here in NZ at Wesley college .After completing my secondary studies i returned back to Rarotonga gained employment at Ministry of Justice in the Births Death Marriages sector before making the move back to Aotearoa to seek greener pastures. Continued working for Ministry of Justice here in auckland as a Collection Agent Deputy Registrar then moved to Council in funding advocacy after several years working within government i needed to change so went from office work into the warehouse hands on physical work. As well ongoing volunteering work as this is my passion to serve our community whether it be in church or my enua community.
In saying that i was fortunate to be a part of our 1st Covid 19 Cook island vaccination drive at the Atiu Hall which then opened my eyes as to what was going on within our own communities and families that were struggling not only financially but mentally as well. Hense why this is my passion to enhance the wellbeing of our people within Aotearoa as well as our people from our homeland Te Kuki Airani Educating as well as supporting their individual needs.
Ko Au Teia!!!! Te Atua Te Aroa Kia Orana e Kia Manuia
Kia Orana,
My name is Louisa Marsters, born and raised in South Auckland, Mangere. I am married and blessed with seven children, two beautiful mokopuna – Ruben and Hannah-Lu and our two Neo-mastiff dogs, Bruno and Stella. A core value I uphold is FAMILY. Family values are important because they provide a foundation of protection, guidance, affection and support. I carry these values with me in my everyday life experiences. I come from a background of working in the community/church where I have nurtured and grown my passion in serving our people. I look forward to engaging, equipping and empowering our people to a place of achievement. I am privileged to be part of the Cidanz family and look forward to growing and learning more in this work-space.
Atawai and God’s Blessings to you all