Our Team

Louise Tester

I have lived in Taranaki for 11 years, and the breadth of my engagements in the community allows me to draw upon a comprehensive range of networks and partnerships across health, education, government, local government, community, and private sectors. 

 

I have worked in local government, central government, and community sectors in 

NZ and the UK for 20 years, as both an employee and contractor.

 

Throughout my career, I have specialised in policy advice and formulation, research, strategic thinking and strategy construction, consultation and partnership development, project management, 

and the implementation of solutions that have enabled outcomes to be achieved. 

 

My professional training includes a BA (Hons) in Politics, an MA in Environmental Policy, Qualitative Research Methods, a PGCert in Health Sciences (Community Action Planning), and PRINCE II project methodology. I have recently completed a PhD.

 

Throughout my life, I have undertaken an active role in my communities as both a volunteer and governor.

 

I spent many years in the UK as a youth worker and community mediator. In New Zealand, I spent three years as a restorative justice facilitator. Over the 

past 10 years, I have held various governance positions within health, education and the not for profit sector.

Richard Hales

I live in Taranaki with my partner Louise and our two children. We moved to Taranaki in 2003 to provide and enjoy a positive lifestyle for our family. 

 

Throughout my career, I have worked in the state sector, predominately in the area of employment support and social housing in the UK, and housing and mediation in New Zealand.

 

I have eight years of mediation experience. I am a LEADR accredited employment and Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) mediator, and have additional professional training and expertise in housing and community-based mediation. 

 

Mediation is a positive process that can benefit individuals, businesses and organisations. 

 

I am keen to support community organisations, small business, families and individuals within the Taranaki community resolve their challenges and disputes in a constructive and conciliatory fashion.