Tūtaki Team

At Tūtaki our most important asset is our staff. We have a fun, loyal, highly competent and passionate bunch of people working to achieve our organisation’s purpose. Every person in every position plays an integral role and contributes well to the success of our organisation.
Nelson Pulotu
General Manager

Nelson Pulotu joined Tūtaki as our Police Project Lead in November 2019, and was appointed to the Tūtaki General Managers role in 2020. Nelson’s background was working with vulnerable communities in New Plymouth and he was the leading force behind the inception of the Marfell Youth Academy with the Rapira Brothers of Box Office Boxing Club in New Plymouth.
Nelson has always been passionate about working with young people, their whānau and our local communites.
in February 2024, (after 17 years with the New Zealand Police), Nelson resigned to work solely as the Tūtaki General Manager. "One key area of focus for Tūtaki is our collaboration opportunities with other like minded organisations.”
Nelson is a proud husband and father of Samoan heritage, who understands the reason why it is important to support our young people of all ages, to realise their full potential.
“Tūtaki is for the community, funded by the community. And I am so proud to lead this team of amazing people, who want to help and support our young people to live their best lives”
Sam Haggart
Social Worker
Kia Ora
I am Sam Haggart the Social Work Lead at Tutaki Youth Inc.
I am a proud mother of two boys. Jimmy (5) and Tommy (3). I live in New Plymouth with my boys and husband but have been working in the Stratford community for 10 years and it feels like another home to me.
My role at Tutaki is to support children, young people and their whanau to realise their potential and reach their personal goals.
Some of the main areas I support clients with are
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understanding and maintaining healthy relationships/ friendships
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understanding and managing emotions
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setting and achieving goals
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improving confidence and self esteem.
I use a Strengths Based Approach and my time with clients always includes an element of fun and learning through play. I have recently started incorporating therapeutic use of Lego into my practice and am always looking for new ways to ensure young people feel a sense of joy, safety and belonging at Tutaki.

Stacey Seyb
Youth Development Practitioner

Kia ora e te whānau
My name is Stacey Seyb and I am the Service Provision Team Staff Lead at Tūtaki Youth Inc. My role includes supporting our Tamariki and rangatahi to feel empowered and enable them to work towards creating positive and healthy futures for themselves. I do this through supporting my clients with Self-esteem, Healthy relationships, Anger management, Emotion regulation and Goal setting etc. With a background in Teaching – predominantly in the Alternative Education space, I have a sound understanding of the education system and positive reinforcement approaches for behaviour modification which greatly influence my practice.
My role also entails supporting our Youth Workers in areas including Professional development and Client practice.
I live in Kōhanga Moa (Inglewood) with my Husband, but have worked in the Stratford community since 2008. In my spare time I enjoy skiing, hiking, playing the piano and meditation.
Lauren O'Sullivan
Youth Mentor/Programmes Co-ordinator
Kia ora,
My name is Lauren, and I am the Programme Coordinator and Youth Mentor at Tutaki. I work closely with young people, providing one-on-one mentoring and leading various group programmes. My role at Tutaki includes coordinating school group programmes, equine therapy, and holiday programmes. Outside of my professional work, I enjoy spending my free time baking and coaching gymnastics.

Alex O'Hanlon
Office Administrator

Alex joins us as part of the administration team and is the first point of call upon arrival to our facility. She is responsible for our online presence and provides support to the entire team.
Alex is born and bred in South Taranaki before making the move to Stratford a few years ago. She spends her time being outdoors and playing with her dog Buster.
Alex is a qualified Beauty Therapist and worked in the beauty industry for severals years before a career change led her to Tutaki.
Emma Hayman
Finance Administrator
I am from New Plymouth and have worked in accounting for 13 years in industries such as engineering and manufacturing and the Taranaki Regional Council. I moved to Stratford 6 years ago after living in Australia for two years. I now live with my husband, two boys and two dogs.

Dane Carr
Fitness Services Supervisor

Dane joined Tūtaki as a contractor in January 2015 providing personal training sessions and classes. He then became our Fitness Services Coordinator for the Lions Den Gym & Fitness Centre in January 2017 when he became an employee. Dane takes one to one personal training sessions, group training, consultations and programme developments. Always looking for new and innovative ways of encouraging others to engage in training, he has recently launched Strong Cubs – a strength based training programme for children aged 5-9 years.
Dane and his wife Kiri live locally with their family. Dane has been involved in coaching, personal training and group training since graduating from the New Zealand College of Fitness in 2008.
Trint Kelsen
Youth Worker
Trint is one of our Youth Workers, providing support to our young people by way of mentoring, engaging with them through the school holiday programmes, building relationships and providing support to our social workers.
Trint’s passion for sport and fitness has enabled him to be an integral component to both aspects of our organisation – the social service (Tūtaki) and our social enterprise (Lions Den Gym & Fitness Centre).


Cain Thomas-Knight
Memberhsip Consultant/Fitness Coach
Cain joined the team as our Membership Consultant/Fitness Coach. Cain is a registered assessor with Skills Active Aotearoa and focuses on training and education. Cain is the ‘go to’ person for all of your membership needs and advice.
Cain is a friendly face on the gym floor and assists Dane with programme planning, class delivery and community engagement.

Brenda Buchanan
In loving memory
Brenda joined the Tūtaki team as a Youth Worker and our Programmes Facilitator. Brenda worked closely with our youth, ran our group programmes and our school holiday programmes.
Brenda was the kind of person who would give off her own back to help those in need. Her heart was enormous and her passion and empathy shone through wherever she went. She has left a huge hole in our hearts here at Tūtaki, the Lions Den and in the community she was so passionate about.
RIP our beautiful friend, colleague and work mum, we will miss you.