Our Coaches
Self-directed funding gives you more control over your supports and flexibility, but it can feel a little overwhelming at first. That’s why you’ll have a dedicated Manawanui coach helping you every step of the way, converting your funding package into a tailored plan and budget aligned to your disability needs.
As a new customer, you get one-on-one guidance from a coach for at least your first three months with us. They’ll get you set up (either in person or on the phone), answer questions, explain your responsibilities and provide personalised support. With their help, you’ll be able to manage your funding with confidence and get the most out of our digital tools, navigating our Portal with ease.
Our coaches are understanding, empathetic and come from a variety of backgrounds. They have a wealth of experience supporting Manawanui customers from all walks of life and, importantly, all share one focus – helping you live the way you want.
Manawanui’s coaching team helps people from across Aotearoa New Zealand every day, and you can get to know them in our Q&A below.
Angela van Trijp
Auckland
What makes a good coach? Care, compassion, and patience. Building trust and taking the time to understand each person's circumstances are at the heart of good coaching. Everyone's goals are different, so taking the time to listen carefully and understand what matters most to them is essential. What attracted you to Manawanui and coaching? I’m passionate about supporting people to live their best lives and achieve the outcomes that matter most to them. The opportunity to guide someone through their options, answer their questions, and see them gain greater choice and control over their support is what drew me to both Manawanui and coaching. What is your professional background, and what strengths or skills carry over to your role as a coach? I have a degree in Health Science, majoring in Health Promotion. It gave me a strong foundation in communication, advocacy, and building positive relationships. Those skills help me explain complex information clearly, work collaboratively with families and individuals, and help me support people to navigate their options and achieve their goals as well as find practical solutions that fit each person's circumstances. What do you enjoy most about coaching and helping people get on board? The most rewarding part is hearing how much people’s lives change for the better. Individuals know their own needs better than anyone, and Individualised Funding (IF) empowers them to make choices that work for them and build stronger support networks. Seeing people gain confidence and create support arrangements that suit their lives is incredibly rewarding. What has been your biggest challenge so far? Managing challenging conversations can be difficult at times, but they often lead to positive outcomes and greater understanding. They can also create opportunities to build trust and ensure people feel supported. Is there a particular area you specialise in? I specialise in Change of Agent and Change of Service processes, helping individuals move through those transitions as smoothly and confidently as possible. How does onboarding in person differ from over-the-phone setups? Meeting face-to-face for onboarding creates opportunities for more meaningful conversations and allows me to tailor information to each person's situation. It also helps establish rapport and build stronger connections from the start. What do you want new customers to know about working with you? I’m friendly, approachable, and always happy to help. I’m committed to making the onboarding process as straightforward as possible. No question is too small. What helps you recharge outside of work? I enjoy spending time with friends and family. I also love being outdoors, watching my chickens play, and seeing my plants thrive. Spending time outdoors and enjoying these simple moments helps me relax and recharge.
Selena Peacock
Auckland
What makes a good coach? Flexibility, active listening, proactivity, patience, and passion. No two situations are ever the same, so it's important to think outside the box and adapt our approach to meet the unique needs of the whānau we support. I am committed to working alongside funded whanau to help them achieve their goals and navigate challenges with confidence. What attracted you to Manawanui and coaching? After working as a support worker myself and building a strong background in customer service, it felt like the perfect opportunity to combine two skill sets I'm passionate about – supporting people and creating positive, meaningful experiences. What is your professional background and what strengths or skills carry over to your role as a coach? Helping young adults living with disabilities worker for three-and-a-half years as a support worker has allowed me to approach my work with empathy, practical insight, and a broader perspective on how to best support each individual and their unique circumstances. What do you enjoy most about coaching and helping people get on board? The success stories and positive feedback are what make this work so rewarding. We often meet people during some of their most challenging times, and it is incredibly inspiring to see their confidence and wellbeing improve. What has been your biggest challenge so far? Navigating changes in government policy and the flow-on effects these can have on the disability sector. At times, we've had some difficult conversations with whanau, explaining changes, restrictions, and limitations that have impacted the supports available to them. Is there a particular area you specialise in? As this role requires knowledge across a wide range of topics and support needs, we're often "jacks of all trades". I particularly enjoy developing Individual Support Plans. These conversations provide an opportunity for people to think creatively about their goals and the supports they need, and it's incredibly rewarding to help turn those ideas into practical plans. How does onboarding in person differ from over-the-phone setups? Meeting in person creates additional opportunities for trust and relationship-building. It also allows for greater understanding of a person's circumstances and support needs, helping us provide more personalised support. I also enjoy being able to provide practical, hands-on assistance during these meetings. Whether it's leaving someone with physical copies of important forms or demonstrating how to use our customer portal, these interactions can make information more accessible. What do you want new customers to know about working with you? You can expect a supportive, person-centred approach built on trust, collaboration, and practical guidance. I take the time to understand what matters most to you. I believe every situation is unique, so I work alongside you to find solutions that are tailored to your individual needs. What helps you recharge outside of work? I'm a real homebody! I value time spent with my gorgeous whānau, and there's never a dull moment in our house. When I do get time for myself, you'll find me curled up with a good book, working on a craft project or exploring the beautiful landscapes of Aotearoa.
Zabina Ismail
Auckland
What makes a good coach? I'm passionate about helping people and making a positive difference in their lives. I enjoy supporting others to reach their goals and achieve the best outcomes possible. What attracted you to Manawanui and coaching? Manawanui aligns with my passion for helping people. Coaching allows me to support individuals to achieve their goals and make a positive difference in their lives, which I find very rewarding. What is your professional background and what strengths or skills carry over to your role as a coach? I've worked with refugee and migrant communities, supported Pacific Island communities with health and wellbeing, and worked in mental health and bicultural social services. These roles have helped me develop strong communication, relationship-building, and advocacy skills. I enjoy supporting people from diverse backgrounds and helping them achieve their goals. What do you enjoy most about coaching and helping people get on board? Getting to know people and supporting them through the process. I like helping them understand their options and seeing them grow in confidence as they take control of their supports. A real highlight is knowing I've made a positive difference and helped someone achieve something important to them. What has been your biggest challenge so far? One challenge has been helping people adjust to new ways of doing things when they are used to a different system. It can take time to build trust, but it's really rewarding when they start feeling more confident and in control. Is there a particular area you specialise in? A couple of areas – I really enjoy working directly with people and building strong relationships. My experience in refugee and migrant communities, mental health, and community services has helped me support people from all sorts of backgrounds and understand their individual needs. I also specialise in bicultural social services, which helps me work well across different cultures and perspectives. How does onboarding in person differ from over-the-phone setups? In-person onboarding gives more opportunity to connect and have natural conversations. It's often easier to go through information together and answer questions as they come up. Over the phone, you need to be more intentional with communication and check understanding, but you can still build strong rapport with the right approach. What do you want new customers to know about working with you? I'm here to listen, support, and work alongside people to make the process as clear and comfortable as possible. What helps you recharge outside of work? Spending time with my family and cats. I also enjoy gardening, sewing and fishing. It helps me relax and reset.
Ruth van den Brink
Christchurch
What makes a good coach? A good coach is someone who understands the systems and processes we need to work within, especially when they are changing rapidly, and is able to listen to your situation and individual circumstances and support and guide you in seeing how the funding can really make a difference. What attracted you to Manawanui and coaching? I had been a Manawanui client and knew that they had the systems and heart to make the funding journey as easy as possible. When the possibility came up to coach, I knew that Manawanui would be a great place to help others navigate that system. What is your professional background and what strengths or skills carry over to your role as a coach? I was a teacher and a copywriter. Both paths use the skills of understanding complicated ideas, breaking them down and presenting them in a way that enables people to understand and learn. I've also had many years as a mum to five kids, running a household and homeschooling, which has been a fabulous introduction to multi-tasking, troubleshooting and all those other skills you learn along the way. What do you enjoy most about coaching and helping people get on board? When people say to me, "That's so much clearer now. I have a much better idea of how things work." Understanding how funding works is a big learning curve for many of our clients. When they come back later and tell me about the changes that they have seen after using the funding in the best ways for their unique situations, that's the icing on the cake. What has been your biggest challenge so far? We support so many different funding types and processes, from budgeting to funding use to employment matters. It is really important to me that I guide our clients with the right information, so getting my head around it all initially and then keeping up with all the changes has been my biggest challenge. Is there a particular area you specialise in? We really are jacks of all trades in the coaching team but I do know a lot about how the EGL Personal Budgets work around Christchurch. What do you want new customers to know about working with you? I am very much there to support them to make the most of their funding and achieve the best outcomes possible. If we are saying something isn't possible, or needs to be done in a particular way, then it is usually due to requirements from the funder and helping you to meet those things is us supporting you, not working against you. What helps you recharge outside of work? My Christian faith is very important to me so I am recharged by my personal worship as well as worshipping with my Church family on the weekend. Family time is important and I also love to be snuggled up with a good book.
Maude Maxwell
Bay of Plenty
What makes a good coach? A good coach listens first. Building trust, showing respect, and walking alongside people on their journey are at the heart of what I do. Every individual and whānau has their own story, goals, and aspirations, and taking the time to understand these helps create positive and meaningful outcomes. A coach should empower rather than direct, encouraging people to make informed decisions while knowing they have support every step of the way. What attracted you to Manawanui and coaching? Manawanui was an opportunity to support people and whānau to exercise tino rangatiratanga – having choice, control, and self-determination over the supports and services that are right for them. This is one of Manawanui's core values and one that resonates deeply with me. What is your professional background and what strengths or skills carry over to your role as a coach? I have more than 20 years of experience working across community services, social services, mental health, disability support, leadership, and governance. The strengths I bring to coaching include building strong relationships, effective communication, problem-solving, organisation and planning, advocacy, supporting people to navigate systems with confidence, and a genuine passion for helping others succeed. What do you enjoy most about coaching and helping people get on board? Building relationships with people and their whānau and helping make the onboarding process feel simple and achievable. One of the greatest highlights is seeing people gain confidence as they discover they have the flexibility to make choices that work for them. Hearing someone say, "I didn't realise it could be this easy." What has been your biggest challenge so far? Learning new systems and processes while continuing to provide high-quality support has been an exciting challenge. There is always something new to learn, and every experience helps me grow as a coach and better support the people I work with. Is there a particular area you specialise in? I really enjoy in-person visits and building relationships face-to-face. Being able to meet people in their own communities creates opportunities for meaningful conversations and stronger connections. How does onboarding in person differ from over-the-phone setups? Phone appointments provide flexibility and convenience, while in-person visits allow for deeper conversations and the opportunity to build relationships in a more personal way. My goal is always to make the process comfortable, supportive, and easy to understand, ensuring people feel confident and informed. What do you want new customers to know about working with you? People don't have to have all the answers before we meet. There are no silly questions, and I want every individual and whānau to feel heard, respected, and empowered to make decisions that are right for them. We're a team, and your goals become our shared focus. What helps you recharge outside of work? My greatest joy is spending time with my husband, children, mokopuna, and wider whānau. Family and community are at the centre of who I am. I enjoy being involved in my local community, spending time at the marae, volunteering, and serving through my faith.
Angela Crowhurst
Bay of Plenty - Tauranga
What makes a good coach? Being empathetic, reliable, kind, and helpful. I listen carefully, communicate clearly, and genuinely care about the people I support. What attracted you to Manawanui and coaching? Manawanui puts people first and helps them have more choice and control in their lives. Coaching is something I enjoy because I love helping people, listening to their needs, and supporting them to achieve their goals. I'm a kind and positive person, and find it rewarding to see our customers become more confident. Being able to make a positive difference in their lives motivates me every day. What is your professional background and what strengths or skills do you have that carry over to your role as a coach? I’ve worked in roles where communication, support, and problem-solving were important. Through this I developed strong interpersonal skills and learned how to build positive relationships with a wide range of people. My strengths include active listening, patience, and a genuine desire to help others succeed. I’m also organised, reliable, and able to communicate clearly. What do you enjoy most about coaching and helping people get on board? Building relationships and making a positive difference in people’s lives. A highlight for me is seeing someone gain confidence and independence after receiving the right support and guidance. Biggest challenge so far? Everyone's situation is different, and some people may feel overwhelmed when navigating new processes or making important decisions. The challenge is ensuring they feel heard, supported, and informed while helping them move forward at a pace that works for them. Is there a particular area you specialise in (e.g. in-person callouts etc)? I enjoy both in-person and remote interactions and adapt my approach to suit everyone’s situation. I particularly enjoy working directly with people and building strong relationships. How does onboarding in person differ from over-the-phone setups? In-person onboarding allows for a stronger face-to-face connection and the ability to pick up on body language. Over the phone, I focus more on clear communication, active listening, and checking for understanding since I can't see visual cues. What do you want new customers to know about working with you? That I am approachable, empathetic, and committed to supporting them. What helps you recharge outside of work? Spending time with family and friends, as those connections are important to me. I also enjoy relaxing with a good movie or TV show, getting outdoors when I can, and walking my small dog Nova down at the beach or in our local parks. Having a good balance between work and personal life helps me stay positive, energised, and ready to give my best when supporting others.
Yvonne Halliday
New Plymouth
What makes a good coach? One who listens. A good coach takes the time to understand each person's unique situation, goals, and aspirations. Listening helps build trust and ensures the support provided is meaningful and tailored to the individual. What attracted you to Manawanui and coaching? I am passionate about improving quality of life and empowering people by providing support that creates meaningful and positive outcomes for individuals. I enjoy helping people navigate their options and build confidence in managing their own supports so they can live their best life. What is your professional background and what strengths or skills carry over to your role as a coach? Nursing and working at a NASC prior to Manawanui. I am committed to making a positive difference by supporting people to achieve their goals and maintain choice, dignity, and independence. To ensure each person feels comfortable, informed, and respected. My healthcare background has helped me develop strong communication, problem-solving, and advocacy skills that are valuable in my coaching role. What do you enjoy most about coaching and helping people get on board? Supporting people to make informed decisions, manage their own supports, and achieve the best possible quality of life. It is rewarding to see customers gain confidence and achieve outcomes that are important to them. What has been your biggest challenge so far? Every customer is different, and my priority is to understand their individual needs, preferences, and comfort with technology. By remaining flexible, patient, and responsive to personal preferences, providing supportive guidance, so they feel at ease, informed, and confident moving forward. Is there a particular area you specialise in? I provide support across all areas. Whether customers prefer in-person assistance, phone support, or online guidance, I work to ensure they receive the support that best meets their needs. How does onboarding in person differ from over-the-phone setups? This ensures each customer receives support in a way that suits their individual preferences and helps them feel comfortable and confident, particularly if they need additional support or have limited access to or confidence with technology. What do you want new customers to know about working with you? My goal is to create a supportive, low-stress experience for every customer, ensuring they feel comfortable, informed, and confident throughout the process. I want people to know they can ask anything, and I am always happy to help. What helps you recharge outside of work? Family and friends. Spending time with loved ones helps me maintain balance and recharge so I can continue bringing energy and enthusiasm to my work.
Cheryl Anderson
Northland
What makes a good coach? To me, a good coach is someone who listens carefully, communicates clearly, and takes the time to understand each person's unique situation. Every customer's journey is different, so it's important to be patient, approachable, empathetic and focused on finding funding solutions that can help people achieve their goals. What attracted you to Manawanui and coaching? Having disability in my family has given me first-hand insight into the importance of people with disabilities having choice and control over their lives and I understand how essential it is that people have a genuine say in how their supports are delivered. All of my working life I've held roles which have centred around helping people – and what attracted me to Manawanui was the organisation's commitment to self-direction and supporting people to live the lives they want. What is your professional background, and what strengths or skills carry over to your role as a coach? One of my strengths is breaking down information into simple, easy-to-understand steps and helping people navigate systems that might otherwise feel overwhelming. What do you enjoy most about coaching and helping people get on board? It's very rewarding to support people as they learn new skills, gain independence and become more comfortable managing their own supports. My goal is for every customer to feel fully supported from the very beginning of their journey with Manawanui. What has been your biggest challenge so far? I don't face any significant challenges in my role, although I do occasionally work with customers who have varying levels of technical knowledge. Helping people navigate complex information and ensuring they feel supported throughout the process is a rewarding part of the job. Is there a particular area you specialise in? All Northable and Family Options referrals come to me. How does onboarding in person differ from over-the-phone setups? It's just a matter of personal preference from the customer – most people are happy for the setup talk to be over the phone, but sometimes they prefer a face-to-face. What do you want new customers to know about working with you? One thing I'd like new customers to know is that they don't need to have all the answers before they start. The role of the coach is to guide and support the customer, and no question is ever too small! I want customers to feel comfortable reaching out whenever they need help, advice or clarification. What helps you recharge outside of work? Outside of work, I enjoy being part of our local Quiz Night – my favourite categories are literature, art and science. Although quiz nights mostly remind me just how much there is still to learn!
