Meet Our Quit Coaches

Our Quit Coaches are health professionals qualified to help people become smokefree. They know the Smokefree methods that are backed by research and are trained to tailor specific programmes for everyone they help so the support is right for them.

Te Hā – Waitaha Quit Coaches are based across Canterbury and work in urban and rural locations.

 

Amy James

Amy James

He Waka Tapu

Kia ora, Ko wai au. I am Amy. I have worked in the mental health and addictions field for a few years now and am passionate about helping others achieve a well balanced and positive lifestyle.

Being able to empower and educate others and walk along side them in their journey , and see them reach their goals is amazing and so rewarding. That's what is so great about this mahi and what continues to drive me to be the best support I can be.

I have lived the majority of my life in Ōtautahi and am married with four sons. Creating a smoke free environment for my sons to live their best lives and achieve their sporting dreams is vastly important to me.

Moving into a smokefree Aotearoa, I am passionate of supporting tangata whaiora on their journey of becoming and maintaining a smokefree life.
Christine Solomon

Christine Solomon

Community and Public Health

Kia ora koutou. I started with Te Hā-Waitaha in October 2016 and I have 14 years’ experience. I am passionate about working alongside whānau to become auahi kore. Guiding them to set attainable goals and sharing in their successes. I especially love working with hapu mama and their partners on the Pregnancy Incentive Programme as they’re trying to make a difference to their whole whānau. Once you identify the barriers to becoming auahi kore you can start chipping away at them and be successful in becoming auahi kore.

I look forward to working with you and your whānau.
Courtney Carter-Smith

Courtney Carter-Smith

Community and Public Health

I am passionate about improving positive health outcomes in New Zealand, especially in relation to smoking cessation. My educational background is a mixture of health and social sciences specialising in bioethics and public health. In recent years I have worked hard to develop valuable experience in coaching, counselling and mentoring in the health sector of which I utilize daily to support our clients. The magic I feel I bring to my mahi is compassion and positivity. I enjoy nurturing motivation and working with people to turn things around and make being healthy exciting and rewarding.
Ella Newey

Ella Newey

Community and Public Health

Kia ora, I have always had a passion for health, helping others and reducing inequities where possible. Helping people to begin their SmokeFree journey ticks all these boxes for me!

After finishing my degree in Health Science, majoring in Public Health in 2020, I found my place at Te Ha Waitaha in early 2021.Through my study, my eyes were opened to smoking and the impacts it can have on the individual, and whānau. Becoming SmokeFree benefits our social, spiritual, physical and our mental health.

In my role I am the initial contact for those who are wanting to quit. I love hearing the passion and reasons behind why someone wants to become SmokeFree, and then being able to help them started on their journey is awesome.
Gabrielle Stewart

Gabrielle Stewart

Community and Public Health

Gina Straker

Gina Straker

Waitaha Primary Health

Being Māori myself, I have seen many of my own whānau struggle with smoking related illnesses and with some even death. This has pushed me to fight for my whānau and others who still battle with their addiction to have a better smokefree life.

I believe everyone has the ability to change and within my role, I can build on their strengths and offer options so that they can make a fully informed decision.

Our children are our future and I hope that going forward a smokefree Aotearoa will benefit them with better health outcomes for future generations.

I cover rural South Canterbury and mid-Canterbury. People in these areas live in isolation and this way we get to take the support to them, which can remove barriers.
Joyce Heyward

Joyce Heyward

Community and Public Health

Ko Pukekaroro te maunga
Ko Kaipara te awa
Ko Mahuhu ki te rangi te waka
Ko Ngāti Whātua , ko Ngaphui, ko Ngāti Porou te iwi
Ko Te Uri o Hau te hapu
Ko Ōtamatea te marae
Ko Heywood tōku whānau
Ko Joyce tōku ingoa
Nō reira, tēnā kotou, tēnā katou, tēnā kotou katoa

I am Māori kaimahi working part time in the Smokefree space engaging with Hapu Māma and Whānau.
The other part of my role is as the Engagement Coordinator for Te Hā Waitaha Stop Smoking Support Services.
I look forward to being able to support all in my whānau and community in living a smokefree life.
Kal Solomon

Kal Solomon

Waitaha Primary Health

Having worked in the health field for about 25 years with hapū māmā and growing families, I have seen how one family member can be the catalyst for positive change within the whole whānau.

I'm excited to work with anyone who wants to become smokefree, because it benefits everyone. My mum was a heavy smoker and sadly passed from cancer when I was pregnant with my first daughter. This is where my passion comes from for this role.

Everyone has their own story to tell and it's amazing to hear what becoming auahi kore/smokefree will mean for each individual and family. Together we talk through options for resources and strategies to decide on a plan that will work best, and with ongoing support to work through the challenges - to stay focused and achieve success.

I am delighted to be part of the Te Hā - Waitaha team and supporting the communites of North Canterbury.
Kirsty Bloomer

Kirsty Bloomer

Purapura Whetu

Kia ora koutou. Originally from the UK, I have been working across Population Health and Smokefree Services for almost 14 years, and since 2018 I have been supporting the clients and communities of Hawke’s Bay.

It is a privilege to be given the opportunity to walk alongside an individual on their smokefree journey. The benefits of becoming smokefree extends beyond the individual smoker and seeing the positive impact that this has on their whānau’s health and wellbeing in addition to their own is what drives me to continue in my mahi.

After recently moving to Ōtautahi, I am excited to be a part of the Te Hā Waitaha whānau and supporting our community to become smokefree.
Maraea Peawini

Maraea Peawini

Community and Public Health

Teenā rā koe, welcome to me.

In my hand is an oar from the smokefree waka. I paddle knowing that one day we will all be in this waka together, paddling in unison, free from this addiction and relationship we have had with tobacco that has held us for many generations. Moving forward as we take back control as an individual, as a whānau, and as a country is mind blowing and exciting.

I am Maraea, of Te Whakatōhea, Ngāti Porou, Ngā Puhi and English.

I want to be part of raising a smoke-free generation. I am going to be part of raising a smoke-free generation. Are you?
Nika Matenga-Brooker

Nika Matenga-Brooker

Community and Public Health

Kia ora koutou, I’m Nika, one of the Quit Coaches in the Te Hā – Waitaha team.

While studying towards my bachelor of health sciences I found my passion in smoking cessation.

After successfully quitting myself, I knew that I wanted to support and encourage others to make their own positive changes.
It is a real honour and a gift being in a role where I am able to work alongside the community to help build a smokefree future together.
Niki Fox

Niki Fox

He Waka Tapu

Ko Nuku Mania te Maunga
Ko Orokaia te Awa
Ko Ngai Tahu, Ngati mamoe me Waitaha te Iwi
Ko Ruahikihiki te hapu
Ko Ta O Moki te Marae
Ko Marsh toku whānau
Ko Niki toku ingoa

Kia ora. My name is Niki.

I am looking forward to helping support Tangata whaiora (clients) in becoming smokefree.
I come from a background where everyone smoked, and I have also been a smoker myself.
I understand the toughness of becoming smoke free and want to help change the lives of whānau.
I am currently studying L4 mental health and addictions and have been working alongside whaiora in the addictions space at He Waka Tapu.
I believe with the right support and whānau around you, you can make that change and be good at it!!!
I am excited to see the change in whaiora becoming smoke free with goals and structure to help secure that change

I am passionate about this Kaupapa and bring a lot of energy to supporting you all.
Sophie Lemon

Sophie Lemon

Tangata Atumotu Trust

let's go!