JonJon Ruakere

Tū Kaha Coordinator 

Kia ora whanau,

Ko Taupiri raua ko Taranaki ōku Maunga

Ko Waikato raua ko Waitotara ōku Awa

Ko Tainui raua ko Taranaki ōku Iwi

Ko Waingaro raua ko Ngāti Moehau ōku Hapū

Ko Ruakere te whānau

Ko JonJon tōku ingoa

Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tātou katoa

Kia ora, my name is JonJon. I’m passionate about creating community and intentional partnerships with our rangatahi. I’ve been involved with children/youth work for the past 8 years and have worked within a handful of schools and organisations as a Teacher Aide and Youth Worker. I’m honoured to be the most recent addition to the Mana Hapori team. 

I am married to Victoria, an immigrant from North Carolina in the United States. We met in 2018 while she was studying at Capernwray Bible School and started dating not long after. We had our wedding during the first lockdown last year and were only allowed to invite six guests between the two of us! Although Victoria is from another country, she is a dedicated treaty partner and enjoys learning the Reo that our people have. We are currently living in Hamilton and attend Agora Church, where I also work as the Children’s Pastor. I enjoy gaming, hiking and reading Wikipedia articles for hours on end.