Our values:
Aroha, Hope & Integrity
Our purpose & kaupapa: To support Tairāwhiti whānau whānui out of hardship
SuperGrans is a holistic wellbeing service that offers whānau a hand when they need it the most. We don’t judge the situation that people find themselves in, we help out with what whānau need and operate according to old fashioned whanaungatanga.
Our aim is to help in a way that supports people to help themselves and gain a greater level of control over their lives. We provide the Tairāwhiti community with kai parcels, budgeting advice, life skills and cooking workshops, and social work.
We are a branch of the SuperGrans Aotearoa National Association.
Tami Gooch
Social Worker
Tami comes with a background of 5 years social work experience. Prior to social work, she worked as a chef for 10 years. She has a passion for community projects and has been involved with numerous community initiatives, including beach clean ups, fight for life and “Handbags of Joy’. She comes with a range of life skills, a can-do attitude, and a passion for making a difference. She works from a strength-based practice weaved with Te Whare Tapa Whā
Moy Toy
Second cook
Moy is our adorable Second Cook. Growing up on her family market garden in Matawhero, she learned the values of sustainability and generosity which she brings to SuperGrans in spades. She is our very own pocket rocket, always ready to put in the mahi and pump out delicious, healthy meals for our whanau. We think she is an absolute asset and her integrity, love and humility makes her a joy to be around!
Heron Tangohau
Community Connector
Heron is the latest addition to our SuperGrans Tairāwhiti whānau. She has a background in health prevention and for the last 3 years she has worked as a change agent across Te Tairāwhiti and Opotiki communities. Her most recent project was leading the Te Mahinga Kai o Te Tairāwhiti initiative which supports kai leaders in Te Tairāwhiti to increase local capacity for food security and sovereignty.
The SuperGrans Board of Trustees
Our Trustee Members include; Molly Pardoe (Chair Person), Gwen Bush, Tricia Byrne, Sam Witters, Te Aorangi Harrington, Hiki Pihema, Mere Pohatu
Meet The Team
Linda Coulston
General Manager
Linda oversees and manages everything to do with SuperGrans services.
She has worked here for 9 years and creates a beautiful family atmosphere. She treats everybody that comes here as whānau! Linda is a "big picture" person and is making her mission to end food insecurity in our region a reality. She has put an amazing team together who share her passion for positive change.
Beck Jacobs
Office Manager
Having just joined the SuperGrans team as Office Manager, Beck brings a background of administration and finance with some community work.
Passionate about helping whānau and is interested in sustainable living. Beck is very excited to work for such a great organisation and is looking forward to supporting the amazing SuperGrans team in the awesome mahi that they do.
Sara Lamont
Foodbank Manager
Sara is Gisborne born and bred and loves to call this place home. She is a super mum and puts everyone else first.
Sara brings passion and enthusiasm to SuperGrans and she loves to be able to give back to the community.
We love having Sara on the team!
Gypsy Maru
Chef
Gypsy is a qualified Chef and comes with 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry. She is passionate about strengthening families and building self-reliance. Facilitating the connection between at risk whanau and nutritious kai is important to her as she firmly believes that access to healthy kai is a basic human right.
Erina Torrey
Field Coordinator
Erina has been our Field Coordinator for 7 years, she is truly a jack-of-all-trades. Her combination or resourcefulness and compassion has made her absolutely indispensable to the team, she has made so much of SuperGrans vision possible with her can-do attitude.
Erina has created our Tangata Hauora programme which focuses on teaching whānau how to live more sustainably from a practical and holistic approach. The bigger goal with the programme is once the skills have been taught, they can share those skills with their siblings, with their cousins and wider whānau.
Rachel Louie
Foodbank Assistant
Rachel is a local mama of two who was born & raised in Te Tairāwhiti. She has a passion for assisting the community and isn't afraid of hard work. Rachel works alongside our Foodbank Manager Sara to ensure we have fully stocked, nutritious kai parcels available for our community every day.