Our Team

Anaru Hodges

I’m a proud father of three and an animal lover, with two cats,

Milly and Peaches. I have a passion for learning new skills and meeting new people. I believe everyone has a story, and that taking the time to listen and connect can make a real difference in our community. Creating opportunities for connection matters, because people’s lives matter.

Kerry Gilbert

Kia ora,

I’m a South Island girl, raised in Ashburton, just south of Christchurch. Growing up with supportive parents and grandparents—who felt like second parents—instilled in me strong values of responsibility, hard work, and respect.

My career has spanned a wide range of industries, including tourism, hospitality, gold mining in Australia, horse trekking, high-end fashion, jewellery importing, and orchard work. I later moved to Hawke’s Bay, where I spent nine years at Health Hawke’s Bay processing mental health referrals, and became a Master Trainer for the Kia Ora Self-Management Programme through Stanford University.

After two years as a Victim Support Worker specialising in sexual assault, family harm, and homicide, I moved into my current role as Suicide Prevention Coordinator for Te Matau-a Māui, where I’ve worked for the past eight years. I love what I do—though I know it’s not for everyone.

As a member of Common Grounds, I have always believed that the community holds the answers. Common Grounds is about returning power to the community, as they are the

heart and soul of

Te Matau-a-MāuiHe tangata, he tangata, he tangata

It about the people, its about the people, its about the people

Steven Heperi

Steven Heperi is a respected community leader and longstanding advocate for whānau, hapū, and iwi development across Heretaunga and Tamatea.

He has served as Chair of the Aorangi Māori Trust Board for the past 14 years, providing steady governance, strategic direction, and a strong commitment to protecting and advancing the interests of beneficiaries.

Steven is also Chair of Te Rongo o Tahu Marae, where he is currently leading the development and construction of a new marae in Takapau — a significant project that will strengthen cultural identity, intergenerational connection, and community wellbeing for years to come.

Previously, Steven was a member of He Toa Takitini, the mandated iwi authority responsible for negotiating Treaty settlement grievances with the Crown on behalf of hapū of Ngāti Kahungunu in the Heretaunga and Tamatea regions. Through this role, he contributed to advancing the aspirations and redress of his people.

From its inception, Steven has also been involved with Common Grounds Te Matau-a-Māui, and is deeply committed to its vision of connecting with and supporting people in distress at a grassroots, community level. His passion lies in strengthening communities through leadership grounded in tikanga, service, and collective wellbeing.

Cecily Miller-Heperi

Cecily Miller – Heperi Born and bred in Waipukurau, Central Hawkes Bay, where friendships, kapa haka, and music shaped her early years. She met her husband Tipene at college and together they’ve raised three beautiful children and six mokopuna into their whānau. Cecily’s whakapapa connects her to Waikato, Tainui, Ngati Toa Rangatira, Ngati Raukawa, Ngati Tiipa, Ngati Karewa, and Ngati Koata, as well as Scottish, Irish, and Pacifica roots—heritage she treasures deeply.

Guided by empathy and a heart for helping others, Cecily has worked across industries from farming and education to food services and health & disability, always bringing care and quality to her roles. As a member of the Common Grounds Te Matau a Maui Network, Cecily is passionate about uplifting her community and supporting people to flourish, believing everyone deserves the chance to a good life.

April Smith

Kia ora, I was born and raised in Takapau, and that grounding has shaped who I am. Growing up as the fourth of six siblings taught me about shared responsibility, resilience, and the importance of everyone playing their part — values that still guide how I approach both my work and my life.

Whānau sits at the heart of everything I do. Married for 23 years and alongside my husband for 38, I’m a proud mother of two daughters and four mokopuna.

Takapau will always be home in my heart, and I remain committed to contributing in ways that strengthen our community and support those coming through behind us.

"Nāu to rourou, nāku to rourou, ka ora ai te iwi"

With your food basket and my food basket, the people will thrive.

Tamati Holmes

As a passionate creative, I find meaning in capturing the quiet beauty of everyday moments and the powerful stories that connect us. With a deep appreciation for the arts, I enjoy spending time wandering through galleries, drawing inspiration from diverse perspectives and expressions.

Grounded in community, I proudly connect my creative journey with Common Grounds Te Matau a Māui, supporting its mission to bring people together and foster belonging. Whether behind the lens or engaging in local initiatives, I value staying connected — to art, to people, and to the shared spaces that shape us all.

Through the arts and community involvement, I continue to grow as both an artist and an advocate for meaningful connection.

Andi Crawford

Kia ora, I’m Andi Crawford. I moved to Heretaunga 20+ years ago and have enjoyed meeting people from all walks of life, whether through my job as a clinical psychologist or just generally getting involved as a parent or friend. I love connecting with people, especially over a good cup of coffee and getting involved in local community projects. I find joy in the simple things — meaningful conversation, shared experiences, and being part of the creative and caring spaces around me.

Life, to me, is about connection, curiosity, and kindness.

Thanks so much

Andi

Sharvet Cracknell

Raised in Hawke’s Bay, calling Melbourne home for 10 years.

I run the social media for Common Grounds Te Matau a Māui, sharing stories, events, and the people that make our community what it is. I care about keeping that connection strong, even from across the ditch.

Lissa Geiken

Hello gentle reader — I’m Lissa Joy (LJ) Geiken, and I grew up in Oregon where Grayback Mountain’s snow fed Williams Creek and the family farm I helped care for. I was drawn to Common Grounds through my work in community mental health, first sparked by reading a Becky Chambers series about bringing wellness and care to rural communities, and then deepened by an invitation from cultural liaison colleagues to sit in on a Common Grounds advisors’ meeting. The warmth and shared kaupapa made the fit undeniable. Sometimes the universe whispers, sometimes it hands you a cup of tea and says, “You belong here.”

Chris Malcolm

Chris has family roots in Hawke’s Bay, Gisborne, and further back various parts of Europe. He grew up in Wellington and Horowhenua. He has also lived and worked in Wellington, Auckland and Te Matau a Maui/Hawkes Bay. Chris has been a lecturer in Health Science, Addiction Studies and Mental Health since 2009. He has Post-grad qualifications in Addiction Practice, CBT, Clinical supervision and a Master of Theology from Oxford, UK. Chris has a special interest in trauma-informed practice, working effectively with Māori and addressing health inequities. Chris has been one of the Kahui Parirau (Advisors) for Common Grounds since the end of 2026.