Volunteering Waikato Staff

Chris Atkinson

Chris Atkinson

Regional Advisor

Telephone: 07 839 3191 ext 3

Chris joined the Volunteering Waikato team in 2015 after having been the volunteer coordinator at Waikato Hospital for 13 years. Prior to that she worked in the community sector as an educator / funder and loves being part of a diverse and dynamic volunteer sector. When not at work Chris enjoys pottering in her garden, Tai Chi, experimental cookery and assisting Chartwell Lions Club with projects in her local community.

Emma Newman

Emma Newman

Volunteer Services Advisor

Telephone: 07 839 3191 ext 2

Emma joined the Volunteering Waikato team at the start of 2022 after a background working across several fields including charity and recruitment, plus several years studying community psychology and education. She loves working with a diverse range of people and helping others to see their potential. Outside of work you can find her training at the gym, cooking, or playing her guitar.

Jaydene Kana

Jaydene Kana

Transitional General Manager

Ko Taupiri te maunga
Ko Waikato te awa
Ko Tainui te waka
Ko Waikato te iwi
Ko Ngaati Mahuta te hapuu
Ko Te Kooraha te marae
Ko Jaydene Kana ahau

I am privileged to have joined Te Ohu Tūao o Waikato and the Volunteering Waikato Team as the Transitional General Manager, after having served as a Trustee on the Board since 2019. I acknowledge the past and present Board members and Volunteering Waikato Team members that have established a resilient and respected organisation.
I am a chartered accountant and have served in a variety of iwi, community, public sector, and private sector leadership and governance roles. My community experience has taught me to value the amazing and often invisible people that dedicate their time and resources, frequently without compensation, to achieve better community outcomes. There is a whakatauki or proverb which describes how I like to work, Maa panga maa whero ka oti ai te mahi. This whakatauki acknowledges different groups collaborating to achieve goals, and that is what I want to encourage.
I look forward to working alongside Chris, Emma, and our volunteers to continue to promote, support and enable opportunities in volunteering.
No reira teenaa koutou, teena koutou, teena koutou katoa.