TONI KATU
Glenfield
Summary
Dedicated and proactive professional with extensive experience in student support, community engagement, and case management. Skilled in building strong, positive relationships with students, families, schools, and community services to improve attendance, address barriers to engagement, and implement effective strategies that foster student wellbeing and achievement. Strong background in communication, problem-solving, and culturally responsive practice. Bringing a diverse career history, including logistics and people management, I have developed highly transferable skills in organisation, leadership, and relationship management. I also hold training in bookkeeping and business management, further strengthening my professional capability.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Whānau Navigator - Attendance Services
Kaipatiki Community Facilities Trust
Auckland, Auckland
02.2020 - Current
- Proactively engaged with students and their families to address unexplained absences, identify underlying issues, and implement targeted strategies that improve attendance and support sustained school engagement.
- Actively supporting and educating whānau whilst advocating for their needs with external agencies.
- Coordinate with whānau, schools, and community services to address complex needs.
- Maintain accurate case notes and attendance data.
- Assist non-enrolled to re-engage with education and/or training pathways.
- Actively building and maintaining reputable relationships with community services and external stakeholders.
- Developed strategic partnerships with local organisations to expand program offerings and resources.
- Key Achievements.
- Contributed as part of a high-performing team with a consistently strong track record.
- Successfully supported students and whānau with substantial improvements in long-standing, complex attendance challenges.
Linehaul Logistics Supervisor
KiwiRail
02.2014 - 09.2020
- Managed team of 50, supervised staff, and ensured effective daily operations across logistics environments.
- Oversaw scheduling, planning, and workflow management to meet organisational goals and deadlines.
- Built strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure smooth operations.
- Managed leave, rosters, performance reviews, and staff development.
- Implemented continuous process improvements to enhance efficiency.
- Trained, coached, and mentored staff, fostering team cohesion and professional development.
- Supporting Zero Harm initiatives (SHE work conversations)
- Key Achievements.
- Collaborated with the Continuous Improvement team to update processes and prepare for IKON (in-house system), ensuring 24/7 online operational support 24/7 - 365 days a year
- Developed personalised training plans to upskill and support staff.
- Assisted in successfully relocating key operational roles to Auckland Service Centre.
- Supported Whangarei CT site’s transition from manual to RF operations.
Education
Diploma - Family Wellness and Crisis Intervention
The Career Academy
New Zealand08.2026
Certificate - Small Business Level 4
Te WānangaAotearoa
New Zealand11.2024
New Zealand Certificate - Māori Business and Management Level 3
Aspire 2
New Zealand05.2023
Certificate - Papa Reo Level 1
Te WānangaAotearoa
New Zealand01.2023
Toi Toi Maori Leaders Programme -
KiwiRail
New Zealand01.2019
National Certificate - Business Level 3 (First Line Management)
The Learning Wave
New Zealand01.2017
Skills
- Whānau collaboration
- Monitoring attendance and providing interventions
- Sustaining reputable partnerships with local organizations
- Conflict resolution expertise
- Staff management
- Supply chain management
- Cultural awareness and inclusive practice
- Resilient, adaptable, and solutions-focused
- Computer literate and quick to learn new systems
Certification
- License type - Full class 1 New Zealand Driver license
- First aid certified – Cert No: CERT21644 expires – 2027-03-18
Timeline
Whānau Navigator - Attendance Services
Kaipatiki Community Facilities Trust
02.2020 - Current
Linehaul Logistics Supervisor
KiwiRail
02.2014 - 09.2020
Diploma - Family Wellness and Crisis Intervention
The Career Academy
Certificate - Small Business Level 4
Te WānangaAotearoa
New Zealand Certificate - Māori Business and Management Level 3
Aspire 2
Certificate - Papa Reo Level 1
Te WānangaAotearoa
Toi Toi Maori Leaders Programme -
KiwiRail
National Certificate - Business Level 3 (First Line Management)
The Learning Wave