S I S T E R S U N I T E D
Meet the 'A' Team...
KENDAL COLLINS
Co-Founder / CEO
Kendal has worked as a Social Worker within schools and the community. Sisters United has always been a dream, so she is blessed to have created this space with her 2 sisters, where our Pacific and Maori young women can feel safe, inspired, creative, confident and loved. She is married and a loving mother to three handsome boys who inspire to keep chasing her dreams!
PUNIPUAO LAVEA
Programme Facilitator
Punipuao is our young, vibrant member of the team. She has over 7 years experience in performing arts and has always dreamed of sharing her knowledge of the craft with others. Punipuao is very passionate about youth work and feels extremely privileged to be able to share her love for performing arts with young women who seek to express themselves in a safe space. She comes from a family of 5 sisters and 3 brothers.
MAINA MAKISI
Youth Employment Specialist
Maina’s employment background spans over a decade in the Corporate Sector, particularly in Banking and Insurance. In addition to her corporate expertise, she holds a Diploma in Psychology & Counselling. Having returned home to NZ after residing in the UK with her husband Ben, Maina has redirected her professional focus and now finds fulfilment in empowering Youth, helping them realise their full potential in both their career choices and life goals
CASSANDRA DE LA CROIX
Youth Mentor
Cass is a down-to-earth, cool, and collected kuki donut, born and bred in South Auckland. She began working with Sisters United in April 2022 and has not looked back since. She finds joy in witnessing women excel in every domain and aims to instill that same sense of empowerment in the youth they work with, fostering the confidence to believe they can accomplish anything they set their minds to. If she could offer any advice, it would be this: "HWPO" - Hard Work Pays Off.
LINDA-RAE PORTER
Connect Administrator
Linda came to Sisters United as a student in high school and has made a return as an employee after she attended our Connect Employment programme. Linda has been raising her charismatic son Hendrix, and has been able to transfer her skills and life experience to our Connect Classroom. She lives by the whakataukī “ehara taku toa, he takitahi, he toa takitini” meaning, My success should not be bestowed onto me alone, as it was not individual success but success of a collective
LYNNE VATAU
Youth Worker
Lynne Vatau is the young Pacific entrepreneur and business owner of well-known cakery ‘Fale De Keke’ in South Auckland. She comes from a big family and is the youngest of all her siblings. She loves performing arts and is very passionate about working with youth especially empowering Pacific youth and females to chase their dreams. She brings her creativity, bubbly personality and years of business experience to work with our schools team!
CHERYL PETAU
Office & Programme Administrator
Cheryl is the youngest member in the team, driven by a profound passion for youth work and a determination to ensure that Maori and Pasifika women receive the recognition they rightfully deserve. With a deep love for music, she aspires to one day share her own musical creations with others, establishing a secure haven where women can freely express themselves through music. Coming from a family of eight, she holds the position of the oldest sibling.
AMALIA REWETI
Social Media Content Creator
Amalia is a young Māori, Samoan mother of two beautiful boys. She has her own media business Ara Media and has a passion for all things social media. She is the youngest of 3 and has a strong connection to both her Samoan aiga and Te Ao Māori. She has several years experience in communications and marketing.