MATES Team

MATES Programme Manager:

SONYA MASOE

Sonya first joined MATES as a mentor in 2014 and returned as a coordinator in 2017. She has graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Property from the University of Auckland. Sonya's passion lies with people. Her love of service fuels her hope to create better outcomes for those who may be disadvantaged in some way. Sonya was appointed as MATES Programme Manager early in 2020. She is looking forward to new learnings and challenges in the new role and hopes to make valuable contributions along the way.

MATES Junior Coordinator

CONNOR BOURNE

Connor started at MATES back in 2015 as a mentor in the Education 200 paper at the University of Auckland. He has been a coordinator at MATES Jr for the past 3 years seeing the introduction of Finlayson Park and Mangere East Primary to the programme.

Connor finished his Bachelor of Science majoring in Psychology in 2017 and more recently finished his Post Graduate diploma in Counselling theory in 2019. As he starts his Master of Counselling, he is aiming to become an intermediate school counsellor. MATES was the first place Connor found he could give back to the community and affect change in people’s lives through empowerment and education.

Through MATES Jr Connor has seen amazing mentors become amazing professionals and talented students thrive in both high school and in life!

MATES Junior Coordinator

SALLY SHIN

sally has been a MATES Mentor since 2017 and joined the team as a MATES Jr Coordinator in 2019. She recently finished her Bachelor of Science majoring in Psychology at the University of Auckland to pursue a career in becoming a Child Psychologist.

Through the MATES programme, Sally first found her passion for working with youth who may be ‘at risk’ or are marginalized. She hopes that through her work she may be able to help youth overcome barriers, realize and achieve their greatest potential. Her interests and passion do not stop with MATES and she is currently a Youth Leader at her church and volunteers at various youth camps and conferences. 

MATES Senior Coordinator

HAROTA LOS’E

Harota started at MATES as a mentor in 2017 and joined the team as a coordinator in 2019. Harota is currently in her last year of her Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) at Auckland University of Technology.

Harota is a big believer in education and the power that it holds for young people. MATES is a place that she finds both reward in helping kids as well as joy in the work she does. 

MATES Senior Coordinator

PETER TANGINOA

Peter graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws. He is the eldest of four boys, which he attributes to why he’s always had a compassionate attitude towards the personal growth and development of young people. His passion lies in engaging intimately with Youth and young people, by serving in leadership at Church or organisations.

The opportunity to become a MATES coordinator has allowed Peter to sustain his passion for uplifting and empowering young people to reach their full potential. Soon, he will be starting his Professional Legal Studies Course to sit the bar so that he can serve Youth, young people and any marginalised groups at a higher capacity.