- Music/ singing
- Cultural dance
- Crafting and DIY Projects
- Interior Design
- Photography
- Genealogy Research
- Event Staging
MADELEINE SAMUEL-PESEFEA
Cannons Creek,PORIRUA
Summary
With a unique blend of Cook Islands Maori and Hawaiian heritage, as well as firsthand experience being married to my husband of Samoan and Tokelauan heritage who currently serves as the Year 12 Dean and PE teacher at St Bernard's College in Lower Hutt, I have gained diverse experiences and learned different approaches to various situations. My passion lies in both culture and working with individuals of all ages and ethnicities. Approachable and open to learning new skills for personal growth and professional development, I thrive on collaboration while also being capable of working independently. Seeking to create positive change, I consistently seek out the positives and find ways to turn things around. With a task-oriented and goal-focused mindset, my positive, approachable, and teachable personality can be an asset to any organisation that values clear communication as a tool for knowledge and understanding.
I am a Registered Social Worker in Aotearoa New Zealand with experience in providing comprehensive support to individuals and families. Experience in developing and implementing tailored intervention plans to address specific needs. Strong focus on team collaboration and achieving impactful outcomes, adaptable to evolving circumstances. I am a firm believer in forming a trusting relationship and advocating for the best interests of clients/ whanau, community and the organisation.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
Work History
Social Worker
Nga Uri O Whiti Te Ra Mai Le Moana Trust
11.2021 - 01.2025
- Employed by the Trust to work in the Community Hub, Le Malaga o Moanaroa in Porirua. Unfortunately due to funding cuts, the trust is now operating on minimal services.
- The Hub consists of four pillars, Rainbow Community, Moana Creatives, Education and Community
- My role as one of two Social Workers is to provide community services, develop programs for kaumatua (elders) and rangatahi (youth), work with our diverse community, and create accessible frameworks for best practice
- The Trust has a Performing Arts of which various cultures are taught and performed. My participation was in the Kapa Haka Roopu and travelling with the team to the Netherlands to represent Aotearoa taking Maori, Samoan and Cook Islands cultures to the stage
- Creating holistic programs to utilise as a way of healing through the arts for all ages
- Update client/whanau documentation for accurate, compliant and current records
- Educate client/whanau on available community resources, connecting them with essential services such as housing assistance, financial aid, or healthcare providers
- Interviewed clients, whanau, or groups to assess situations, limitations, and issues and implement services to address needs.
- Advocated for client/whanau to assure respected rights and wishes
- Documented client progress and activities in accordance with the trust policies and procedures
- Advocated for client/whanau rights and services, resulting in increased access to necessary support and resources
- Facilitated peer support groups to help client/whanau connect with others
- Maintained regular contact with client/whanau by calling and visits in a neutral environment
- Monitored client/whanau progress and adapted plans to meet changing needs
- Assisted client/whanau with navigating and accessing social services such as housing and medical care
- Helped client/whanau develop new coping mechanisms and techniques to encourage a positive outlook and practice for self
- Promoted a culture of self-care and professional development among colleagues, fostering a supportive work environment that encouraged ongoing growth and learning
- Increased client/whanau engagement in plans by building trusting relationships through present listening and consistent support
- Network with other community groups and local schools to build increase awareness of services provided and trust
Office Manager
Whitireia Independent Student Association
05.2010 - 02.2012
- My role with the Polytech was made redundant, and the Student Association then employed me due to my rapport with the students
- My role was to take care of the general day-to-day running of the office, the student executive, student spaces, and provide support to our students as required
- Enhanced team productivity by delegating tasks effectively and overseeing daily workflow.
- I worked closely with the Student Executive in organising various events, for example, the Christchurch Earthquake Fundraiser, Weekly Pasifika Celebration, Zumba in the Quad (2x weekly)
- Also, birthed a Pasifika student group called 'Niu Vaka.' An extra support group for our Pasifika students who also wanted to hold study groups, prayer groups and bible study
- Handled sensitive information with discretion, maintaining confidentiality of company documents and personnel records.
- Provided exceptional customer service when addressing client inquiries or concerns via phone calls or email correspondence.
- Coordinated office events and meetings, ensuring timely execution and optimal scheduling for all participants.
- Facilitated smooth communication between departments, addressing concerns promptly to maintain harmonious work relationships.
- Managed scheduling and coordination of all office meetings to ensure smooth operations and minimal conflicts.
- Conducted regular inventory assessments of office supplies, ordering necessary items proactively to prevent stock shortages.
- Defined clear targets and objectives and communicated them to other team members.
- Facilitated a positive work environment, addressing concerns promptly and fostering a culture of mutual respect.
Enrolments & Information Officer
Whitireia Community Polytechnic
01.1997 - 02.2010
- Employed as the SLAM Officer for Whitireia (Student Loan Allowance Management), one of two who processed and approved student loan and allowance applications for all Whitireia students nationally
- SLAM was then transferred to the Ministry of Social Development and Whitireia changed my role to the above title however my connection regarding confirming a student's entitlement and eligibility remained with me
- Again, one of two staff members, I looked after all students nationally whose surnames began with the letter L - Z
- My role was to provide detailed information to prospective students looking to study and to ensure they understood the pathway
- Responsible for advising information to further study to a higher level and with Whitireia and options to other providers as well as career mapping
- Processing all enrolments including verifying required legal documents and any queries regarding the student or their respective program
- Reporting to the various education departments including New Zealand Qualification Authority (NZQA) and Tertiary Education Commission (TEC)
- Developed informational documents such as brochures, flyers, and fact sheets.
- Increased transparency by promoting open communication channels among departments.
- Provided timely, accurate, and relevant information to support executive decision-making processes.
- Streamlined record-keeping procedures, enhancing overall efficiency in document management tasks.
Administrator
Department of Internal Affairs
01.1993 - 01.1997
- Initially employed as a Records Clerk for the Policy and Investigations Unit and the Citizenship Unit
- Duties included filing, document recall, processing of applications and assisting with investigations
- Also worked in the mail room which included processing of incoming and outgoing mail
- Handled sensitive information discreetly, maintaining strict confidentiality at all times as required by company policy or legal regulations.
- Initial processing of all passport and citizenship applications which also included data entry, receipting monies received and end-of-day balancing of cashiers and quality checking
- My last role was as one of two Administrators for Documents of National Identity
- This role included Human Resource duties and Building Operation duties
- Reported directly to the Operations Manager of the Department, the General Manager and the CEO
- Handled sensitive information discreetly, maintaining strict confidentiality at all times as required by the departments policy and legal regulations.
- Managed human resources functions, including hiring, and employee evaluations for best team performance.
- Maintained personnel records and updated internal databases to support document management.
Education
Nga Poutoko Whakarara Oranga - Bachelor of Bicultural Social Work
Te Wananga O Aotearoa
Porirua, Aotearoa New Zealand11-2021
Manaaki Tangata - Certificate in Bicultural Social Services
Te Wananga O Aotearoa
Porirua, Aotearoa New Zealand11-2017
Skills
- Social services
- Efficient under pressure
- Compassionate
- Approachable
- Attention to detail
- Client confidentiality
- Confidential case documentation
- Referrals and networking
- Community resources
- Individual and group counselling
- Great communicator
- Organiser
- Client documentation
Interests
Timeline
Social Worker
Nga Uri O Whiti Te Ra Mai Le Moana Trust
11.2021 - 01.2025
Office Manager
Whitireia Independent Student Association
05.2010 - 02.2012
Enrolments & Information Officer
Whitireia Community Polytechnic
01.1997 - 02.2010
Administrator
Department of Internal Affairs
01.1993 - 01.1997
Nga Poutoko Whakarara Oranga - Bachelor of Bicultural Social Work
Te Wananga O Aotearoa
Manaaki Tangata - Certificate in Bicultural Social Services
Te Wananga O Aotearoa
Ethnicity
Cook Islands Maori and Hawaiian
Spouse Ethnicity
Samoan and Tokelauan
Personal Information
- Number of Children: Blessed Momma to five sons
- Proud Mama to one gorgeous mokopuna
- Marital Status: Blessed with my husband
Activities
- 2008, Redeemed to Conquer Youth Ministry, led and trained a team of young leaders.
- 2011, Assisted with organising the Candlelight Ceremony and Volunteer Recruiter for Porirua Relay for Life.
- 2014, Created island style jewellery under the label MaSaPe.
- 2020, Youth Advisors to current youth leaders in faith-based programs.
Community Involvements
- Wellington Matavera Association - Vision Team
- Wellington Cook Islands Sports, Church and Culture Association - Acting Chair
- Porirua Cook Islands Association - Assistant Secretary
- Porirua Cook Islands Tag Football Cohort
- Cook Islands Handball Federation - Recruiter and Manager for Aotearoa Cook Islands Teams
- Aotea College Cook Islands Polyfest Team - Dance and Costumes Instructor
- Youth Advisor to the Youth Leaders for Hosanna World Outreach Centre Youth Ministry
- Community Liaison for Porirua Pop Up Vaccination Sites
- VA - Food shopping and delivery for families in Covid Isolation
Ethnicity
Cook Islands Maori and Hawaiian
Spouse Ethnicity
Samoan and Tokelauan
Personal Information
- Number of Children: Blessed Momma to five sons
- Proud Mama to one gorgeous mokopuna
- Marital Status: Blessed with my husband
Activities
- 2008, Redeemed to Conquer Youth Ministry, led and trained a team of young leaders.
- 2011, Assisted with organising the Candlelight Ceremony and Volunteer Recruiter for Porirua Relay for Life.
- 2014, Created island style jewellery under the label MaSaPe.
- 2020, Youth Advisors to current youth leaders in faith-based programs.
Community Involvements
- Wellington Matavera Association - Vision Team
- Wellington Cook Islands Sports, Church and Culture Association - Acting Chair
- Porirua Cook Islands Association - Assistant Secretary
- Porirua Cook Islands Tag Football Cohort
- Cook Islands Handball Federation - Recruiter and Manager for Aotearoa Cook Islands Teams
- Aotea College Cook Islands Polyfest Team - Dance and Costumes Instructor
- Youth Advisor to the Youth Leaders for Hosanna World Outreach Centre Youth Ministry
- Community Liaison for Porirua Pop Up Vaccination Sites
- VA - Food shopping and delivery for families in Covid Isolation
Ethnicity
Cook Islands Maori and Hawaiian
Spouse Ethnicity
Samoan and Tokelauan
Personal Information
- Number of Children: Blessed Momma to five sons
- Proud Mama to one gorgeous mokopuna
- Marital Status: Blessed with my husband
Similar Profiles
June TareiJune Tarei
Call Centre Supervisor at Te Arawa Lakes Trust Waea Mai Call CentreCall Centre Supervisor at Te Arawa Lakes Trust Waea Mai Call Centre
DELWYNE BECKHAMDELWYNE BECKHAM
Land and Genealogy Researcher at Te Uri O Te Aho HapuLand and Genealogy Researcher at Te Uri O Te Aho Hapu
Fa'afetai TalagaFa'afetai Talaga
Clinical Social Worker at Te Whatu Ora - Te Whitinga Mai Youth Forensics (CMDHB)Clinical Social Worker at Te Whatu Ora - Te Whitinga Mai Youth Forensics (CMDHB)