Meet our team

Our experienced team provide our Māori and Pasifika nursing and health students with the awhi and manaakitanga on their journey from becoming a student through to finding employment and on to graduation.

The team is available regularly to meet face-to-face or online to support you with your queries. Whether you need assistance with an application or help navigating assignments, get in touch and we can help find a solution.

  • Ange Sagapolutele

    Project Manager of Te Ara Oranga

    Email:  ange.sagapolutele@manukau.ac.nz

    Profile

    Ngati Maru - Ngati Puu / Sakoca - Fiji

    Ange joined MIT in 2018 as part of the leadership team at Manukau campus, before becoming project manager of Te Ara Oranga in 2022. She brings with her a wealth of experience in operational management, team building and working collaboratively across multiple stakeholders. Ange has over 15 years’ experience with the Ministry of Social Development, helping improve the social well-being of New Zealander’s, and pathwaying clients into education and employment opportunities.

    From 2017 Ange’s leadership experience has focused around tertiary education in South Auckland. Firstly with Best Pacific Education and then as campus co-ordinator here at MIT. Ange is passionate about empowering her community, to make a significant impact upon the health disparities for Māori and Pasifika.

  • Dee Mataupu Puletiuatoa

    Health Workforce Transition Coordinator

    Phone: 09 976 0289

    Email: dee.mataupu@manukau.ac.nz

    Profile

    Talofa lava,

    My name is Dee Mataupu Puletiuatoa.

    I look forward to supporting you as Te Ara Oranga Health Workforce Transition Coordinator.  I am grateful to be a part of this phenomenal TAO team, as our values and passions align in ensuring we provide more opportunities for our people and level the playing field.

    My diverse background & passion to help our communities thrive, will help solidify paths to on-going & sustainable success for you and your families.  “If you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. If you teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime.” This proverb sums up our hearts to ensure we are not providing band-aid solutions but long-lasting impactful ones.

    I look forward to meeting you all on the journey into the health work force and thriving together.

    Manuia.

  • Jordan Tamatea

    Health Workforce Academic Mentor

    Phone: 09 975 4574

    Email: jordan.tamatea@manukau.ac.nz

    Profile

    Te Atiawa, Ngāti Tama – Taranaki

    Kia ora! My name is Jordan and I am excited to be a part of the TAO team.

    I have completed my Bachelor’s in Health Science with a Major in Case Management as well as completing 3 years of Midwifery study. Previously been working in a mental health setting at Greenlane Hospital supporting clients in to work and housing.

    I am very passionate about working with Māori and Pacific people helping them to achieve their dreams! Having a strong Māori and Pacific presence in the health workforce is very important to me and I will do anything possible to help our ākonga through studies.

    Look forward to meeting you all!

  • Liz Faumuina

    Health Workforce Academic Mentor

    Phone: 09 975 4573
    Email:  liz.faumuina@manukau.ac.nz

    Profile

    Samoa-Falelatia-Pata, Lefaga – Matautu/NZ Pakeha

    Liz joined MIT in May 2023 as part of the Te Ara Oranga Team as academic mentor – workforce development.

    She brings with her a Nursing career spanning 19 years, in NZ and overseas. Liz was previously a Kaiako in MIT 2014 teaching Healthcare Assistance, First Aid and CPR and an interim Nursing clinical placement tutor. She was also previously a Nurse Educator in Health Workforce Development at ADHB (now Te Whatu Ora).

    Liz is passionate about making a positive difference to the Māori and Pasifika youth, current students and MIT staff and the potential future health workforce.

  • Meena Sharp

    Health Workforce Data Analyst

    Phone: 09 976 0234

    Email: meena.sharp@manukau.ac.nz

    Profile

    Kia Ora! I am Meena.

    I am excited to start my new role as Health Workforce Research and Data Analyst with Te Ara Oranga.

    I am a recent graduate of Data Analytics here at MIT | Te Pūkenga.

    I am passionate about data, and cyber security enthusiast, and have over 10 years’ experience in ICT and telecommunications.

    My mahi will help monitor and measure the deliverables of the Te Ara Oranga Pathways to Wellbeing Project, and shape and define the ways in which my team will tautoko our student’s learning journey.

    I believe everyone deserves an opportunity to achieve their goals and dreams and I look forward to helping my fellow MIT ākonga succeed in entering the health workforce.

  • Ngahuia Castle-Toto

    Health Workforce Assistant

    Phone: 09 976 0757

    Email: ngahuia.castle-toto@manukau.ac.nz

    Profile

    Kia Ora! I’m Ngahuia, no Hauraki ahau ingari ko Tamaki Makaurau toku kainga. I'm thrilled to introduce myself as Te Ara Oranga’s Health Workforce Assistant.

    It’s not my first time being here, I’ve also studied business administration at MIT! Growing up immersed in my culture, I’ve always been passionate about helping and getting involved with Maori and Pasifika communities, especially with the youth as they are our future. To me, education is an important journey everyone should have the opportunity to go through.

    I am an administrative assistant here to provide support to my team and ensure our ākonga receive the assistance they need to succeed.

  • Rob Ramsey

    Health Workforce Transition Coordinator

    Phone: 09 968 8704

    Email: rob.ramsay@manukau.ac.nz

    Profile

    Malo e lelei

    I have dedicated myself to MIT for 8 years as a Senior Student Advisor, and have now transitioned smoothly into my new role as Te Ara Oranga Health Workforce Transition Coordinator.

    I am excited to be a part of the TAO team and have a passion to work closely with our students. The experience and knowledge I bring has blessed me with the confidence to participate in any situation that our students face, which will hopefully add value to their academic endeavours.

    Let's go!!