Meet our Board Members
Mana Enhancing STOP Board members come from a wide range of backgrounds. They are united in their passion for the kaupapa.
Haehaetu Barret - Executive Chairperson
Visionary, values-led Māori executive leader with more than 25 years experience across health, disability, mental health, addictions, housing and homelessness. Known for courageous leadership, practical problem-solving, strategic partnership development and the ability to bring iwi, government funders, clinical teams and community organisations together around shared outcomes. Experienced in leading large workforces, complex change, servicex development, governance reporting, financial management and national and international representation. A recognized advocate for whānau-centred and culturally responsive services, with a strong commitment to manaakitanga, tino rangatiratanga and Māori-led solutions. Leadership highlights include helping establish indigenous-led Housing First approaches in Aotearoa, leading responses to chronic addiction and homelessness and upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi across all levels of social impact and change.
Amiria Tomoana
Ko Takitimu te waka Ko Mohaka the awa Ko Ngati Pahauwera te Iwi Ko Te Huki, Kahungunu , Waipapa a iwi nga Marae Ko Amiria Tomoana ahau I have life experience helping people and my passion and drive is seeing people succeed in whatever they put their mind to. I bring governance experience to Mana Enhancing having sat on Iwi Boards, Marae, Sporting Clubs, and Charitable Trust Boards currently and in the past. I share and bring to the table experience in accounting, financial, literacy, numeracy, health and well-being, sports and life -coaching. My primary career role for more than 20 years was a Business Tax Advisor working for the Inland Revenue Department. I gained specialised industry knowledge providing tax and financial help and education to both small and large businesses across all business sectors working in Waiariki, Tuwharetoa, Raukawa, and Mataatua areas. I’ve worked in high schools supporting students in literacy and numeracy, life skills and health and well-being and while living overseas I taught English in France and Japan. I am committed to ensuring Mana Enhancing meets all its governance responsibilities.
Lehi Hohaia - Chair
I was raised on a farm in Putaruru. I left Putaruru at the end of 1979 and joined the NZ police. My career involves working as a police officer on the street for 12 years and then joining the Rotorua Criminal investigation branch as a detective for 20 odd years. I then went on to specialise for the Sexual and child abuse team here in Rotorua. Most of my time was spent at the Auckland Hospital working with the families of abused babies. I now am the Pouwhakataki or Maori Liaison officer for Rotorua and I work with iwi and Hapu and the community here to help reduce Maori offending and victimisation. I do lots of programmes out of the local Marae. This includes developing the Tū Taua Drug Harm Reduction programme alongside Kevin delivered around Te Arawa marae as well as supports Te pae Oranga and Te Kooti Rangatahi, and the Alcohol Impairment Drink Driving programme. In 2019 I was awarded a Queen service Medal on behalf of the iwi in Te Arawa for services to the community.
Carolyn Colbert
I was born in Romford, England, and have called Aotearoa home since moving here at the age of six. I’ll never forget the feeling of arriving in Rotorua — the warmth of the people, the culture, the geysers and mud pools — it felt like stepping into another world and being welcomed into a whānau. We settled in Koutu and upon finishing school I discovered a love for numbers and found my path in accounting. I began in local accountancy firms before stepping into the corporate world in 2016. Along the way, I started my own side business — now I’m proud to run Stress Less Accounting Limited full-time. I’ve known Kevin for many years now. I first supported him with his books when he ran a motor vehicle repair business. One day he asked me to help set up the finances for his new trust. Once I experienced the kaupapa of Mana Enhancing STOP, I was drawn in. Three years on, I'm still here — proud to be part of this beautiful mahi. Supporting our facilitators and witnessing the positive ripple effects they create in the community is a true privilege.