The Wayback Machine - https://web.archive.org/web/20210208025953/https://oasisnetwork.org.nz/about-us/

About Us

Our Story

Oasis began as a concept of Neil McNaughton who alongside others, noted the gap in the provision of advocacy services within the Hutt Valley area.  These consumers became  known as the  working committee who formed in 2000 to become the Hutt Valley Services Steering Group. These people included ex-Wellington Mental Health Consumers Union Manager  Mike Sukolski, Anne Stidworthy,  Gary Platz, Donald Gaudin – Consumer Advisor Q-nique and Beatrice McNaughton.

Oasis needed an umbrella organisation to take responsibility for it and Second Chance Enterprises stood up to the challenge.  When a contract for Peer Support and Advocacy was secured, Oasis opened the doors in 2002 where Peer Workers volunteered their time and worked in pairs.

The organisation continued to grow and evolve and in 2008, left the umbrella of Second Chance Enterprises to achieve their dream of independence. Since then, Oasis has undergone more changes to better meet the needs of members.  We now provide peer support, advocacy, education and transitional housing services to people in the Wellington region. We are proud to have been part of the community  for almost twenty years.

Our Services – The Recovery Approach

Our Service is underpinned by recovery principles.

We have adopted the 6 key recovery principles provided by our funders. These were defined from a variety of sources (MHC 1998, Onken 2002, Anthony 2000) which attempt to capture the essence of the recovery approach:

Personhood:
Hope, individual uniqueness, respect, responsibility, developing a sense of meaning

Basic Needs:
A liveable income, safe and decent housing, healthcare and transportation

Social Connectedness:
Being connected with others in mutually supportive and beneficial ways

Citizenship:
Engaging in meaningful activities that connect one to the community

Empowerment:
Self-determining services, users gaining power and control over their lives through access to meaningful activities that connect one to the community

Best Practice Culture:
Services based on  best practice have positive, open culture that encourages ongoing training and development for their staff and service users

The Committee

Cecelia Henderson

Chairperson

Cecelia now serves a third term on the Oasis committee. She has done many courses such as Life keepers, First Aid, Mental First Aid, Level 3 Health Disability and Age support, and Intentional Peer support.

Peers say she is approachable and willing to help.

Cecelia has also lived experience of mental health issues for the past 20 years.

She also does a lot of crafts both at Oasis and at home.

Sharmila Pillay

Deputy Chairperson

My background is in teaching and having travelled, I had the opportunity of teaching in the U.S.A, New Zealand, lived in  South Africa, therefore I have great respect for different cultures and enjoy the diversity and the knowledge I have experienced.

As Oasis is a place that stands to empower those who seek peer support, advocacy and housing, as a team member, I would endeavour to make it a welcoming environment. In addition I have completed  studies in Mental Health and  Substance Abuse, and I come with  knowledge and understanding as well as  including lived experiences of mental issues.

Peers say she is approachable and willing to help.

Cecelia has also lived experience of mental health issues for the past 20 years.

She also does a lot of crafts both at Oasis and at home.

As Oasis is a place that stands to empower those who seek peer support, advocacy and housing, as a team member, I would endeavour to make it a welcoming environment. In addition I have completed  studies in Mental Health and  Substance Abuse, and I come with  knowledge and understanding as well as  including lived experiences of mental issues.

Bruce Lammie

Treasurer

Bruce Lammie has been an Oasis member since 2002.

He has also been a long time consumer in the Wellington area.

Steven Hectors

Secretary

This bio is coming soon

He has also been a long time consumer in the Wellington area.

Dean Christie

Committee Member

Dean has worked for over 30 years in the Information Technology sector, over the last half of that time as a self employed consultant.

He carried out a variety of roles in that time, from analyst/programmer through to Project Manager.

He worked for many and varied types of businesses, including: warehousing and distribution, various types of accounting and financial systems, telecoms, and hospital administration.

He has experience of depression for over 35 years, is now a client of Oasis, and serves on the board as treasurer.

Richard Reweti

Members liaison

Richard is our committee liaison with members. He has worked as a farm hand on his parent’s farm. He attended Auckland Technical Institute and holds an Engineering Certificate in Automotives.

He has served in the army and was based at Waiouru. He has also served over 20 years in the NZ Police which included a foreign affairs posting.

In his early retirement he ran his own business where he offered support services for accounting firms where the duties involved preparation of company documents. Richard has also worked in the building trade in support of a family building company.

With Richard’s extensive career history and life experiences he brings many skills to the board such as governance, financial skills and an ability to relate to clients on their level where required.

He carried out a variety of roles in that time, from analyst/programmer through to Project Manager.

He worked for many and varied types of businesses, including: warehousing and distribution, various types of accounting and financial systems, telecoms, and hospital administration.

He has experience of depression for over 35 years, is now a client of Oasis, and serves on the board as treasurer.

He has served in the army and was based at Waiouru. He has also served over 20 years in the NZ Police which included a foreign affairs posting.

In his early retirement he ran his own business where he offered support services for accounting firms where the duties involved preparation of company documents. Richard has also worked in the building trade in support of a family building company.

With Richard’s extensive career history and life experiences he brings many skills to the board such as governance, financial skills and an ability to relate to clients on their level where required.

Maggie Whenuaroa-Dick

Committee Member

This bio is coming soon

The Team

Recardo Bosch

Chief Executive Officer

recardo.bosch@oasisnetwork.org.nz
04 566 1601
027 460 4795

I have a military and social housing background.  I served 20 years in the military (15 years in the South African Army and 5 years in the New Zealand Army) and have over 15 years’ experience in the social housing sector.

I have worked for Housing New Zealand Corporation (Kainga Ora) and Wellington City Council (City Housing) and now being involved with Transitional Housing with Oasis Network Incorporated.

This is my first role in the area of mental health and addiction, however having worked in the social housing sector, I have experienced mental health and addictions and therefore have an understanding of the dynamics of the sector.

Our place is all about people. It is about people’s wellbeing. It is a place of recovery, but more than that, it is a place of hope and empowerment.  I am immensely proud to lead the organisation and as the Rangatira I welcome you to come to our Whare to share your unique Story and Journey with us.

I have worked for Housing New Zealand Corporation (Kainga Ora) and Wellington City Council (City Housing) and now being involved with Transitional Housing with Oasis Network Incorporated.

This is my first role in the area of mental health and addiction, however having worked in the social housing sector, I have experienced mental health and addictions and therefore have an understanding of the dynamics of the sector.

Our place is all about people. It is about people’s wellbeing. It is a place of recovery, but more than that, it is a place of hope and empowerment.  I am immensely proud to lead the organisation and as the Rangatira I welcome you to come to our Whare to share your unique Story and Journey with us.

Client Services

Charmaine Gibbs

Team Leader | Client Services

charmaine.gibbs@oasisnetwork.org.nz
04 589 5897
027 627 4700

My name is Charmaine Gibbs. I come from a social work background, having worked in the Lower Hutt region for 14 years.

Tena Koutou Katoa,

I worked for Kokiri Marae Social Services, Seaview for 2 years, and 12 years for the then Ministry of Social Development Child, Youth and Family Services as a Care and Protection Social Worker.

While I have never worked in the area of mental health and addiction I do bring life experience and social work ethics into this role. I am familiar with other social service organisations throughout the Lower Hutt region and the support offered in the community.

I look forward to one day meeting all the services associated with Oasis Network Inc. in the near future.

Richard Morete

Client Advocate

richard.morete@oasisnetwork.org.nz
04 589 5897
027 343 8407

Richard has worked extensively in social housing since 2008 for both Wellington City Council and Housing New Zealand Corporation as a tenancy advisor. 

With both roles he was primarily focused on managing the waitlists and placing applicants into vacant homes. As a tenancy advisor he was also called on at times to be a backup for tenancy management duties such as inspections and management of rent arrears.

He also has an accountancy background having worked for a chartered accountancy practice for 15 years.

He is also a director and shareholder of Marrich Residential Limited whose activities are in the area of owning and operating residential investment property.

He is involved in all aspects of the business including property acquisitions, tenancy management, financial management including preparation of financial statements and all tax matters.

He has a passion for using his experience to empower people to become less reliant on others.

Tena Koutou Katoa,

I worked for Kokiri Marae Social Services, Seaview for 2 years, and 12 years for the then Ministry of Social Development Child, Youth and Family Services as a Care and Protection Social Worker.

While I have never worked in the area of mental health and addiction I do bring life experience and social work ethics into this role. I am familiar with other social service organisations throughout the Lower Hutt region and the support offered in the community.

I look forward to one day meeting all the services associated with Oasis Network Inc. in the near future.

With both roles he was primarily focused on managing the waitlists and placing applicants into vacant homes. As a tenancy advisor he was also called on at times to be a backup for tenancy management duties such as inspections and management of rent arrears.

He also has an accountancy background having worked for a chartered accountancy practice for 15 years.

He is also a director and shareholder of Marrich Residential Limited whose activities are in the area of owning and operating residential investment property.

He is involved in all aspects of the business including property acquisitions, tenancy management, financial management including preparation of financial statements and all tax matters.

He has a passion for using his experience to empower people to become less reliant on others.

Angie Egerton

Client Supporter

angie.egerton@oasisnetwork.org.nz
04 566 1601

I started getting interested in working in the mental health field as a teenager after I gave a talk about experience of mental distress to families.

Kia Ora. 

Since then I have worked on the Like Minds Like Mine campaign to counter stigma and discrimination as a speaker and a consumer advisor, and at Atareira (mental health support form family/whanau) doing mental health education in schools and in the community. 

I have also worked for Buddies Peer Support Service at Wellington Hospital. Working at Oasis as a peer support worker has been enjoyable and uplifting through all the peers I have had the privilege to meet and relate to.  

Kia Ora. 

Since then I have worked on the Like Minds Like Mine campaign to counter stigma and discrimination as a speaker and a consumer advisor, and at Atareira (mental health support form family/whanau) doing mental health education in schools and in the community. 

I have also worked for Buddies Peer Support Service at Wellington Hospital. Working at Oasis as a peer support worker has been enjoyable and uplifting through all the peers I have had the privilege to meet and relate to.  

Hannah MacAskill

STUDENT PLACEMENT

macaskill@oasisnetwork.org.nz
04 566 1601

Hi.

I’m Hannah and I love working with people and empowering positive change in my community

Hi.

I’m Hannah and I love working with people and empowering positive change in my community.

Tony Archer

VOLUNTEER

04 566 1601

Tony has been a volunteer at Oasis for 6 years.  He is a fantastic worker and is reliable, trustworthy, conscientious and really knows what he is doing.  Tony is a great source of information and is an absolute delight to have around.

Education

Karen Collier

Facilitator

Hi, my name is Karen, I am the Art Tutor here at Oasis, my focus while working here is to make Art and Crafts accessible to clients with the focus on “give it a go attitudes” as well as having loads of fun while learning new skills.

I also facilitate the Women’s Group where our Tikanga is to support one another in our wellbeing journeys.  I have lived experience of Mental Distress and endeavour to bring helpful workshops to encourage wellbeing and insight into how we can live our best lives, included in my programme is topical sessions around the struggles we face as women with mental distress, skill base learning and fun activities that help with bonding and friendships within the group.  My personal desire is to see the Clients in recovery and enjoying life to its fullest!

Dennis Duerr

Facilitator

Hi, I am Dennis. I have been working in mental health for 15 years. During that time I have worn many hats- volunteer, coordinator, facilitator, support person and night manager.

I have experienced mental distress myself. I enjoy reading, swimming, movies, music, cafes, walks, gardening and people. At present I am a contractor, and one of my favourite contracts is Oasis Network.

I would describe the work I do at Oasis Network as Peer Support. I facilitate three groups- on a Monday, I facilitate a Reaching for the Sky group, in which we talk about our aspirations and how to get there, on a Thursday I facilitate a Men’s Group, where we discuss men’s issues. On Friday is the Realities Group, a project close to my heart, where we discuss altered realities. I use my experience of mental distress in my work to empathise and understand. 

I also facilitate the Women’s Group where our Tikanga is to support one another in our wellbeing journeys.  I have lived experience of Mental Distress and endeavour to bring helpful workshops to encourage wellbeing and insight into how we can live our best lives, included in my programme is topical sessions around the struggles we face as women with mental distress, skill base learning and fun activities that help with bonding and friendships within the group.  My personal desire is to see the Clients in recovery and enjoying life to its fullest!

I have experienced mental distress myself. I enjoy reading, swimming, movies, music, cafes, walks, gardening and people. At present I am a contractor, and one of my favourite contracts is Oasis Network.

I would describe the work I do at Oasis Network as Peer Support. I facilitate three groups- on a Monday, I facilitate a Reaching for the Sky group, in which we talk about our aspirations and how to get there, on a Thursday I facilitate a Men’s Group, where we discuss men’s issues. On Friday is the Realities Group, a project close to my heart, where we discuss altered realities. I use my experience of mental distress in my work to empathise and understand. 

Housing Services

Vacant Position

Team Leader | Housing Services

The position of housing services team leader is currently vacant.

Bevan Shaw

Housing Coordinator

bevan.shaw@oasisnetwork.org.nz
027 555 0225

Bevan comes to Oasis Network with an extensive background in the public sector. 

He also come with a background in Corrections, IRD, Ministry of Justice. More recently as a tenancy advisor/manager in the social housing sector. Bevan is very enthusiastic and passionate in his role as coordinator with Oasis Transitional Housing .

He also come with a background in Corrections, IRD, Ministry of Justice. More recently as a tenancy advisor/manager in the social housing sector. Bevan is very enthusiastic and passionate in his role as coordinator with Oasis Transitional Housing .

Roger August

Housing Coordinator

roger.august@oasisnetwork.org.nz
027 460 4796

I came to New Zealand in 2010 and worked in the Operations Control Room at Wellington International Airport.

Prior to coming to New Zealand, I was employed for 15 years as the Resource Planner for a Pay TV Call Centre and owned my own trucking company for approximately 6 years.

Before I joined Oasis Network Inc, I was employed as the Logistics Coordinator at Mary Potter Hospice where I was responsible for volunteer management, trucking and building operations.

Teresa Thompson

Housing Navigator

teresa.thompson@oasisnetwork.org.nz
027 555 0972

Kia Ora e te whānau.
Ko Te Ohorere Tamihana tōku ingoa.  I am also known as Teresa Thompson.
I was previously employed by Ōrongomai Marae as part of the Reintegration team. 

At the marae I was helping individuals with their parole hearing, reconnecting them with their whānau as well as finding potential accommodation.  I help facilitate an Empowerment programme on Tuesday’s called Whakamanatia Ngā whānau, to help individuals overcome the struggles they have endured during their lifetime and to have a better understand themselves.

Prior to working at the Marae, I was employed by Housing New Zealand.  I had managed over a thousand tenancies throughout the Hutt Valley.  I also became a debt specialist, vacant specialist, and a gang liaison.

I absolutely enjoy the work that I do and meeting people from all walks of life.  I am approachable and friendly, so come and have a coffee or a just a chat.

Ngā mihi mahana,

Prior to coming to New Zealand, I was employed for 15 years as the Resource Planner for a Pay TV Call Centre and owned my own trucking company for approximately 6 years.

Before I joined Oasis Network Inc, I was employed as the Logistics Coordinator at Mary Potter Hospice where I was responsible for volunteer management, trucking and building operations.

At the marae I was helping individuals with their parole hearing, reconnecting them with their whānau as well as finding potential accommodation.  I help facilitate an Empowerment programme on Tuesday’s called Whakamanatia Ngā whānau, to help individuals overcome the struggles they have endured during their lifetime and to have a better understand themselves.

Prior to working at the Marae, I was employed by Housing New Zealand.  I had managed over a thousand tenancies throughout the Hutt Valley.  I also became a debt specialist, vacant specialist, and a gang liaison.

I absolutely enjoy the work that I do and meeting people from all walks of life.  I am approachable and friendly, so come and have a coffee or a just a chat.

Ngā mihi mahana,