Kirsten Smith
Ko Rotuma, Ko Wēra, Ko Aerani te whakapaparanga mai
Ko Tangata Tiriti ahau
Ko Te Whanganui a Tara te kāinga
Ko Kirsten Smith tōku ingoa
Kia ora! My ancestors are from Rotuma, Wales and Ireland. I honour the mana of Te Tiriti o Waitangi which gives me a place to stand in Aotearoa. Wellington is my home – specifically Ngaio – where I live with my husband and our youngest child who is a Youth Worker. Our eldest lives nearby.
A champion for youth development and an advocate for rangatahi and those who work with them, I have been contributing to the youth sector for more than 25 years. After all that time, I’m pretty well connected with a good reputation for manaaki, partnership, doing what I say, and getting things done!
While I love working with tamariki, rangatahi and whānau, what I love even more, is supporting the people who do that mahi - youth workers, advocates, and the people responsible for keeping these services going.
My Approach
My professional experience includes leadership roles in NGOs, iwi services and government. Having managed Youth One Stop Shops for many years, I have a particular interest and understanding in youth health, mental health, and development services, and am experienced at supporting people from a range of different professions. I also have wide experience in advocacy spaces and have a real interest in supporting people in these roles, especially in relation to Oranga Tamariki and the care system.
I am a keen observer of people's strengths and use my own strengths of empathy and as a developer of people, to help people realise their potential, and support them to grow both personally and professionally. My supervision practice is informed by Mana Taiohi.
Qualifications
Master of Social Work (Hons)
Profesional Association