Your Board Executives ( a brief profile of individuals on the WEB Board)

Name: Ann Pala QSM

I arrived in New Zealand from Fiji in 1991 with my husband Kishor and two young kids Nikeesha and Nikheel. Settling in was an issue mostly because there was so much to learn and we did not have many families or friends resident here whom we knew at the time. Although not too discouraged about settlement and employment in a new country, my passion to work with charity and later a strong advocate for human rights saw my involvement with the Women’s Refuge Movement as a service volunteer to women and children lasting a decade.

Employment in the first 12 years in Auckland was varied including Senior roles with the University of Auckland International Business Faculty, Sofrana Unilines, Auckland Kindergarten Association, and the Pacific Island Chamber of Commerce.
In 2001 the tragic loss of our 19 year old son set me on a path of further learning and self awareness. NixCrewRoad Safety Trust was set up to promote safe driving practices to the youth of Auckland. In 2003 interest in Waitakere Ethnic Board and Local Government. My skills in community development, governance, strategic planning, volunteering, communications, conference and event management adds value to the work I do as a board member and President of the Waitakere Ethnic Board. Creating spaces to promote diversity in Auckland by involvement with the Auckland City Council Pacifica Festival followed by the Waitakere City Council Diwali Festival of Lights, the Race Relations Day, is just the ethos that I work with to build bridges, facilitate cultural and social diversity. In 2008 I was acknowledged with a QSM honors for working with ethnic communities. I network widely with other ethnic service providers and advocacy groups, local and central government officers, Office of Ethnic Affairs, Human Rights Commission and the Families Commission.

I am a Company Director of Winmac Computer Solutions, an IT company based in Kelston, Waitakere City, now operating for 12 years and own Ethnic Connectionz which covers anything from catering to consulting. I am also studying towards a Post Graduate Diploma in Non For Profit, however it is not easy considering being proactively passionate about community issues.

Other community involvement includes:
• Funding Information Service - Board Member
• Safe Waitakere Injury Prevention - Board Member
• Waitakere On-Line – Board Member
• Waitakere Police Reference Group - Member
• Community Assistance Fund Allocation Committee - Board Member
• Unitec Regional Tertiary Facilitation Group - Member
• Islamic Women’s Council -Committee Member
• Pan Pacific and South East Asian Women’s Association - Committee Member
• Pacific Women’s Watch - Committee Member
Quote - I shall not permit anything in my life to grow taller and larger than my humility. end quote -Sri Chinmoy-

Name: Tanya Suin

Currently graduate from the University of Auckland majoring in Bachelor of Social Work
Came to New Zealand in 1996 brought with her 20 years work experiences which included being a tertiary teacher and an Area Manager of an international shipping company
Worked for New Zealand tertiary educational institutes at different positions including Student Advisor, International Admission Officer, Registry Assistance and Secretary to HOD from 1998
Have been active in the New Lynn area and have held various positions in the community which includes:
Elected Executive Member of Waitakere Ethnic Board for Term 2006, 2007 and 2008 - 2010
Treasurer of New Lynn Festival of Cultures Trust since 2003
Trustee of Migrant Action Trust, Mentor of Employment team
Trustee of Asian Health Foundation
Being a Justice of the Peace for New Zealand provides the service at New Lynn Community Centre every Sunday afternoons since 2005
Volunteer at the New Lynn Citizens Advice Bureau since 2003

Name: Amail Habib

Nationality: New Zealand Citizen/Born in Pakistan
Qualification: Masters degree in Applied Mathematics Bachelor of Education
Family: Wife and three adult sons, who are all engineers; the eldest has achieved a Ph.D degree
Position: Secretary Waitakere Ethnic Board

Worked in Dubai for nineteen years in the Education deparment, prior to my arrival in New Zealand
Was Secretary of the Board of Directors, controlling thirteen schools in UAE
I was principal of a large school with 3000 students and 200 staff members
Worked as volunteer in a number of organisations to uplift the cause of expatriates in Dubai
Organised a number of fundraising events for our church in Dubai
Been Chairman/ Secretary of our Church Managing Committein Dubai
Came to New Zealand in 1995
Had my own business for twelve years
Working Bayleys Real Estate Company at the moment
Vicar's Warden in my Church in Henderson
Training to be a volunteer priest
Been on the managing committee of our church for about nine years
Been a member of volunteer organisations working for migrants' benefit

Name:Vincent Lin

Vincent emigrated from Guangzhou China with him family in 2001. He has a maters degree from the University of Auckland, and is a Chartered Professional Engineer practicing in civil engineering and transportation sector, currently works for the Transport Agency.

Vincent is a member of the Cantonese Opera Society of NZ, a not-for-profit organisation often put up shows for fund raising as well as at ethnic festivals. Vincent is passionate to help others in the ethnic community as well as the wider community in Waitakere. Vincent enjoys tennis, swimming and spending time with his family.

Name: Jin Kyung Kim

Korean immigrant who has gained New Zealand citizenship
Lived in the Waitakere region for the past 12 years
Gained a Master degree in Home Economics in South Korea
A former university lecturer in South Korea
Volunteer of the Waitakere Hospital Asian Health Support Service Team
Volunteer of the Waitakere Hospital Music Concert Support Team
Former volunteer producer and presenter for the Korean Christian Voice of Auckland (radio)
Major volunteer work involvements within the Korean church- children's department
Current teacher Aid of West Harbour School (from 2001)
- Responsibilities include:
E.S.O.L teaching
F.F.P students support ( counselling, cultural support, home stay family visits)
Support reading group
Cultural support for school staffs