Our Kaimahi
The Lift Team is the heart of our programme—bringing passion, guidance, and unwavering support to help Rangatahi grow, thrive, and succeed.
Davis Ataera
Kaiwhakahaere Kaupapa / Programme Director
Ngatangiia, Nga Ngā puhi, Rangitāne o Wairau
My WHY is to Love God and Love People which I can do being a Director at LIFT by helping our Rangatahi live their dreams.
WOW Factor: I am an Irish twin.
Tyson Ataera
Kaitohu / Director
Ngatangiia, Nga Ngā puhi, Rangitāne o Wairau
My WHY comes from the Legacy my parents paved. “To know God and make God known” through serving the rangatahi and seeing them achieve their dreams.
WOW Factor: I’m the Irish twin of that guy above me.
Nardine Ataera
Executive Assistant / Kaiwhakahaere Matua
No Taranaki
My WHY is to encourage and uplift our rangatahi, helping them see the potential within themselves and guiding them towards their future goals. I love to speak their GREATNESS, reflect what i see in them and remind them that they are capable of achieving incredible things.
WOW Factor: LA Lakers superatar Luka Doncic posted a photo of us on instagram.
Graeme Ewart
Kaiwhakahaere Kaupapa / Contracts Manager
Ireland, Northern Island, Pāharakeke
My WHY to strive and build an organisation that is a safeplace. That is resourced to provide rangatahi to receive practical targeted support to production members of society no matter therE histories and backgrounds.
WOW Factor: 2024 represented Aotearoa at the Touch World Cup in Europe, as well as a 2025 National representative in Touch.
jeremiah Schaumkel
Kaiārahi Rangatahi / Youth Lead
Ngāti Kahungungu ki Heretaungā
My WHY is to see our rangatahi thrive and open their eyes to the beauty of life.
WOW Factor: Married at the age of 21 and i believe our Rangatahi are capable of maintaining the responsibilities of a loving relationship.
Birgitte Ataera
Kaiārahi Hohonga / Link Lead
No Te Whanganui-a-Tara
My WHY: My heart is to see others rise, to remind them their future holds purpose – speaking life, hope and truth over their lives. It’s about walking alongside them, helping them dream bigger, believe deeper and with the right tools to step boldly into all they’re called to be.
WOW Factor: I am a Mother to two beautiful girls.
