Josiah Komene
Born and bred in the heart of the Far North, Kaikohe will always be home, but these days I’m based in Whakatū Nelson, where life is full of purpose, whānau, and good vibes. I’m married to my beautiful wife, Kristie, who keeps me grounded and laughing through all of life’s adventures.
For the past three years, I’ve worked as a Care and Protection Youth Worker at Whakatū Marae under the kaupapa Te Atatū. My mahi is all about walking alongside rangatahi, supporting them through challenges, celebrating their wins, and helping them realise their potential.
Outside of work, you’ll usually find me backing my two favourite teams — the Crusaders and the New Zealand Warriors — riding the highs and lows of every season.
Music is another big passion of mine. Whether it’s the island vibes of Kolohe Kai, the soulful voice of Stan Walker, or the feel-good sounds of Sons of Zion, music is something that keeps me inspired and connected.
In short, I’m a Northland boy at heart, a proud husband, a passionate youth worker, a loyal sports fan, and someone who believes in the power of good music, strong relationships, and supporting our young people to thrive.
My Approach
As a Māori youth worker, I bring a strong cultural lens to supervision. That means I can support you with everything from mihi and pepeha to pronunciation, te reo Māori, and understanding the differences in tikanga and kawa from iwi to iwi. If you’ve ever found yourself quietly panicking before leading a karakia or wondering whether you’ve just mixed up tikanga from Tainui and Ngāi Tahu, this is the space to ask those questions without judgment.
Youth work with rangatahi Māori is about much more than just “engagement.” It’s about understanding whakapapa, identity, whānau dynamics, and the importance of creating relationships built on trust and manaakitanga. Supervision is a space to unpack what’s working, what’s challenging, and what may need a fresh perspective.
My style is structured but laid back. Think of it like having a clear game plan, but with room to call an audible when life throws a curveball. I like to keep supervision purposeful, while also making sure it feels relaxed and genuine. You can bring your wins, your worries, your “I have no idea what I’m doing” moments, and the occasional story that starts with, “You won’t believe what happened at school today…”
I see supervision as a partnership. My role is to listen well, ask useful questions, and support you to build confidence in your own practice. Sometimes that means offering practical advice. Sometimes it means exploring the cultural context. Sometimes it simply means holding space while you process a tough situation over a coffee and a laugh.
Whether you need support navigating cultural practice, strengthening your work with rangatahi Māori, or just making sense of the beautiful chaos that comes with youth work, this is a safe and supportive space.
As the whakataukī says:
Nāu te rourou, nāku te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi.
With your basket and my basket, the people will thrive. In other words, you bring your experiences, I bring mine, and together we create something stronger for the rangatahi and whānau we serve.
Qualifications
Profesional Association