Our Community Partners
Inclusive Communities NZ (ICNZ) enjoys partnership with many inspiring people in our community. Please see below brief profiles about these wonderful contributors to community strengthening:
Sasha McLaren David Woodcock Elaine Bliss Jenny Janif Gareth Duncan
Sasha McLaren, Co-Director, Nimbus Multimedia
It was through her Masters research (which looked at ways to capture the many stories, imagery and tastes embedded in a family’s ancient and beloved handwritten cookbook) that Sasha first discovered digital storytelling – and from her first taste she was hooked. Everyone has a story, and through her work with Digital Storytelling Aotearoa, Sasha feels humbled and blessed to walk alongside people as they discover theirs.
Also passionate about all things filmic, Sasha runs Nimbus Multimedia with her husband David, happily running around behind the camera capturing people and some of our world. She also loves sleeping in on Sundays, swimming in the ocean, yoga, baking cakes, and – of course – eating cake!
David Woodcock, Co-Director, Nimbus Multimedia
David has spent his life wanting to be a wildlife documentary filmmaker called David Rabbitburrow. He is co-director of local production company Nimbus Multimedia with his lovely wife Sasha. David’s passions now lie in documentary film-making and photography, digital storytelling, as well as drawing odd cartoons, walking his dog Manny, looking after his chooks and planting too many things in his garden.
Elaine Bliss, Digital Storytelling Aotearoa
Elaine was told she was a ‘great listener’ by a friend at a young age. As the second youngest of six children these skills were well honed, as her voice was often overpowered by her siblings! Originally from the United States, Elaine moved with her family several times during her childhood. In her adult life she has travelled internationally and lived for extended periods in the Philippines and Australia, but now considers New Zealand her home. Her experience, listening skills and keen observation of ordinary and everyday life has given her a deep love of stories and storytelling.
Digital storytelling is a creative passion for Elaine, emotionally and intellectually. Apart from being a trained workshop facilitator, digital storytelling is also the subject of her PhD research. Other creative passions involve daily life with her two beautiful children
Jenny Janif
Jenny migrated to New Zealand in 1989 from Fiji and has been working in the public sector for twenty years. She currently works as a Relationship Manager, Settling In Family & Community Services, MSD based in Auckland. She graduated from Auckland University in 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Sociology with minors in Anthropology.
Through voluntary community work she is actively involved in various community development activities and initiatives in the areas of human rights, Muslim women and children rights, race relations, family violence and international development. She was appointed a Justice of Peace in 1997.
Gareth Duncan, Principal, Te Awamutu Primary School
Te Awamutu Primary School’s latest initiative to further student learning is starting to take shape as a team of students led by Principal, Gareth Duncan set up “TAPS 88.1 FM–the education station”. Students have been part of the process from the very beginning which has included financial planning, identifying possible studio sites and key areas of learning that could be addressed through the air waves.
The station will provide a tool for children to experience real life learning contexts of setting up, running and operating a radio station. A literacy based programme that feeds into all other curriculum areas and integrates key competencies is, and will continue to be essential to the success of this initiative.
Service to the community is central to the lifestyle of Gareth Duncan – whether it is to the children of the school where he is Principal, his family, the sports teams with which he is involved, or in other areas of community. The opportunity to work in communities where people may be marginalised drives Gareth’s involvement with ICNZ, supporting the vision of inclusion for all.
Gareth has lead Te Awamutu Primary School for the past two years, where he “chooses to dance in the trade” by spending time in the classroom whenever he is able. He was previously Principal of St Patrick’s in Te Awamutu for five years. He and his wife, Maureen, are parents of two sons, aged six and sixteen. Managing his older son’s basketball team is a major sporting interest. Another is a long-term commitment to Waikato Rugby Union where he coaches an age-group team and managed the Air New Zealand Cup B team.
