OUR TEAM

Chelsea

Kia ora

Nō Waitematā ahau
He kaupapa kaiako taku mahi
Kei Oratia ahau e noho ana
Ko Chelsea taku ingoa

Hiya! My name is Chelsea and I live out west in the bush with my dog Mr Mud. He’s super cute and makes everything dirty but I don’t mind. When I’m not taking selfies with my dog I’m an educator at BodySafe which I really love! The students are always teaching me new sayings and words around sex and consent which can be pretty funny when I’ve never heard of them because I’m pretty old. When I was at school I used to play basketball and once I was part of the winning team!

Eliza

Kia ora! My name is Eliza and I absolutely love being an educator on the Bodysafe team because we get to visit lots of different schools and have chats with awesome intelligent young people about sex, consent, and healthy relationships. Before Bodysafe I studied Education and Criminology in Wellington but Auckland is home for me. I am passionate about glitter, yoga, festivals, travelling, flowers, cooking yummy healthy food, exploring, dancing, and of course violence prevention and working with young people to keep our communities really safe! When i'm not teaching Bodysafe you'll find me at my other job which is nannying, having a boogie with my friends, booking flights, cuddling my dog 'Zulu', reading psychological thrillers, or swimming at the beach.

Grace

Hi! I’m Grace. In my spare time I like getting crafty and knitting things. I mostly make small useless things like tea cosies and teddy bears rather than large useful things like jumpers (I don’t have the patience for big projects). The love of my life is my fluffy grey and white cat called Freddie, he’s super snuggly and very annoying (we have a lot in common.) I live on the Shore, which is great but sometimes traffic is a nightmare! I love working at RPE because I laugh a lot and have some amazing conversations with young people. I’ve been passionate about this kind of work since I was about 16 and I feel so lucky to have such an amazing job! When I’m not teaching, I’m working on my Masters degree in psychology. That doesn’t mean I’ll be a therapist or anything, it’s all research based so I’m not about to analyse students or diagnose them! I just enjoy researching things.

Ishan

Hey, what’s good? My name’s Ishan and I'm an educator on the BodySafe team. It’s a pretty cool job, getting talking relationships and respect with young people all over Auckland is always a fun time. Before Bodysafe I studied Politics at Auckland Uni, and before that I was busy putting in them hours at Hamilton Boys High School. Big ups to the Tron. When I’m not working, I spend my time skating, watching/obsessing over film, and I read comic books. I love comics. Probs a bit too much. It’s an issue. I’m not working on it. Sweet, so that’s it yo. Shout out to my bubble tea lovers out there. Wakanda forever.

Kathy

Kathy is a nurse, wife and mother.  She has worked in child abuse and family violence for over 25 years and is passionate about trying to prevent these happening to start with which is why she loves doing this work in talking about safe respectful relationships. Kathy is a bit of an expert on hymens and how they relate (or don’t relate) to virginity and sexual abuse.  She does a talk on this subject.

Lana

Kia ora! I'm Lana and I'm from Tāmaki Makaurau- born and bred! I absolutely LOVE working at RPE and being able to engage with our awesome young people regarding such important topics. I am so passionate about our BodySafe programme because it's an important conversation to be having and something I didn't get to talk about when I was in school. The young peeps I meet in our classes blow me away every time with their ideas, insight, and humour. When I'm not working I'm mostly studying, listening to feminist punk or watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer!

Peta

Ko Ngāpuhi te iwi
Nō Tūranganui-a-kiwa ahau
Kei Owairaka ahau e noho ana
Ko Peta taku ingoa

Hi I’m Peta (you say it like Feta but with a P! :)  I love working for Bodysafe and having conversations with young people that I wish my friends and I could have had when we were teenagers. I live in Owairaka/Mt Albert with my partner and our two kids, Arabella and James. I love reading, catching up with friends, eating samosas and getting out and about in this super cool city!

Renée

Kia ora!

Nō Waitematā ahau
He kaupapa kaiako taku mahi
Kei Titirangi ahau e noho ana
Ko Renee taku ingoa

Hey! I’m Renée & I’m an educator at BodySafe. I love hanging out with our students and having great conversations about how we can all be safe in our communities and relationships. When I’m not working, you’ll find me at the beach, chillin’ with my cat Triangle or cooking up a storm, I make a mean lasagne. Ngā mihi. 

Sam

Sam has been an RPE educator for eight years now – wow so long! Why are you still here Sam?! Because I love it!!! I get to play doctors and nurses on Shortland Street and then come to talk to young people about consent and sex - dream life! I also got to write those two amazing short films you watch in Bodysafe classes – fun times! I’m a graduate of both Victoria University (Philosophy) and Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School (Actings), and apart from my wife, my family, my friends and my cat, my favourite things are theme parks and chocolate.

Zac

Zac keeps it tight with his two sisters, his Dad and his Mum - who is his biggest inspiration in life. Self-proclaimed creative writer, poet, lyricist and singer-songwriter, loves himself a bit of football and the gym. Zac's keen on breaking down barriers of connection through open communication, with a specific interest in a conversation around masculinity. Equal consideration and compassion for all living beings is an ideal Zac subscribes to. Mauri ora!